Annual Research Review: A multilevel bioecological analysis of factors influencing the mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugee children / Stella ARAKELYAN in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 62-5 (May 2021)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 62-5 (May 2021) . - p.484-509 Titre : Annual Research Review: A multilevel bioecological analysis of factors influencing the mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugee children Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Stella ARAKELYAN, Auteur ; Alastair AGER, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.484-509 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Refugee  children  mental health  protective factors  psychosocial support  stressors Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: This paper revisits the themes of an influential 1993 review regarding the factors shaping the mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugees to take stock of developments in the evidence base and conceptualisation of issues for refugee children over the last 25 years. METHODS: The study deployed a systematic search strategy. This initially identified 784 papers, which was reduced to 65 studies following application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. We used a later iteration of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of human development - the PPCT model - to consolidate evidence. RESULTS: We identify a range of risk and protective factors operating at individual, familial, community and institutional and policy levels that influence outcomes for refugee children. The dynamics shaping the interaction of these influences are linked to the life course principles of socio-historical time and developmental age, proximal processes and child agency. CONCLUSIONS: Actions at individual, familial, community, school, institutional and policy levels all have potential traction on mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugee children. However, evidence suggests that greatest impact will be secured by multilevel interventions addressing synergies between ecological systems, approaches engaging proximal processes (including parenting programmes) and interventions facilitating the agency of the developing refugee child. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13355 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=445 [article] Annual Research Review: A multilevel bioecological analysis of factors influencing the mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugee children [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Stella ARAKELYAN, Auteur ; Alastair AGER, Auteur . - p.484-509. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 62-5 (May 2021) . - p.484-509 Mots-clés : Refugee  children  mental health  protective factors  psychosocial support  stressors Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: This paper revisits the themes of an influential 1993 review regarding the factors shaping the mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugees to take stock of developments in the evidence base and conceptualisation of issues for refugee children over the last 25 years. METHODS: The study deployed a systematic search strategy. This initially identified 784 papers, which was reduced to 65 studies following application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. We used a later iteration of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological model of human development - the PPCT model - to consolidate evidence. RESULTS: We identify a range of risk and protective factors operating at individual, familial, community and institutional and policy levels that influence outcomes for refugee children. The dynamics shaping the interaction of these influences are linked to the life course principles of socio-historical time and developmental age, proximal processes and child agency. CONCLUSIONS: Actions at individual, familial, community, school, institutional and policy levels all have potential traction on mental health and psychosocial well-being of refugee children. However, evidence suggests that greatest impact will be secured by multilevel interventions addressing synergies between ecological systems, approaches engaging proximal processes (including parenting programmes) and interventions facilitating the agency of the developing refugee child. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13355 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=445

Annual Research Review: Resilience and child well-being – public policy implications / Alastair AGER in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 54-4 (April 2013)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 54-4 (April 2013) . - p.488-500 Titre : Annual Research Review: Resilience and child well-being – public policy implications Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Alastair AGER, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.488-500 Mots-clés : Resilience  recommendations  policy  (complex adaptive) systems  knowledge transfer Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background: There has been an 8-fold increase in use of the term resilience within scientific and scholar literature over the last twenty years. The arena of public policy has also seen increasing use made of the concept, both with respect to child well-being and development and wider issues. Method: A focal sample of literature comprising 108 papers addressing public policy implications of work on child resilience was identified by a structured bibliographic search. Results: This literature suggests that current work: is characterized by a breadth of sectoral engagement across the fields of education, social work, and health; demonstrates diversity with regard to the systemic levels – individual (biological and psychological), communal (including systems of faith and cultural identity), institutional and societal – with which it engages; but is based more upon conceptual rather than empirical analysis. Major themes of policy recommendation target strengthened family dynamics, increased capacity for counseling and mental health services, supportive school environments, development of community programs, promotion of socioeconomic improvement and adoption of a more comprehensive conception of resilience. Evaluations of resiliency-informed policy initiatives are limited in number, with greatest rigor in design associated with more discrete programmatic interventions. Conclusion: A number of strategies to strengthen research-policy linkages are identified. These include greater commitment to operationalize indicators of resilience at all levels of analysis; more coherent engagement with the policy making process through explicit knowledge translation initiatives; and developing complex adaptive systems models amenable to exploring policy scenarios. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12030 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=194 [article] Annual Research Review: Resilience and child well-being – public policy implications [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Alastair AGER, Auteur . - p.488-500. in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 54-4 (April 2013) . - p.488-500 Mots-clés : Resilience  recommendations  policy  (complex adaptive) systems  knowledge transfer Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background: There has been an 8-fold increase in use of the term resilience within scientific and scholar literature over the last twenty years. The arena of public policy has also seen increasing use made of the concept, both with respect to child well-being and development and wider issues. Method: A focal sample of literature comprising 108 papers addressing public policy implications of work on child resilience was identified by a structured bibliographic search. Results: This literature suggests that current work: is characterized by a breadth of sectoral engagement across the fields of education, social work, and health; demonstrates diversity with regard to the systemic levels – individual (biological and psychological), communal (including systems of faith and cultural identity), institutional and societal – with which it engages; but is based more upon conceptual rather than empirical analysis. Major themes of policy recommendation target strengthened family dynamics, increased capacity for counseling and mental health services, supportive school environments, development of community programs, promotion of socioeconomic improvement and adoption of a more comprehensive conception of resilience. Evaluations of resiliency-informed policy initiatives are limited in number, with greatest rigor in design associated with more discrete programmatic interventions. Conclusion: A number of strategies to strengthen research-policy linkages are identified. These include greater commitment to operationalize indicators of resilience at all levels of analysis; more coherent engagement with the policy making process through explicit knowledge translation initiatives; and developing complex adaptive systems models amenable to exploring policy scenarios. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12030 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=194

Insecurity, distress and mental health: experimental and randomized controlled trials of a psychosocial intervention for youth affected by the Syrian crisis / Catherine PANTER-BRICK in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 59-5 (May 2018)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 59-5 (May 2018) . - p.523-541 Titre : Insecurity, distress and mental health: experimental and randomized controlled trials of a psychosocial intervention for youth affected by the Syrian crisis Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Catherine PANTER-BRICK, Auteur ; R. DAJANI, Auteur ; M. EGGERMAN, Auteur ; S. HERMOSILLA, Auteur ; A. SANCILIO, Auteur ; Alastair AGER, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.523-541 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Mental health and psychosocial support  evaluation  forced displacement  implementation science  refugees  war Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Strengthening the evidence base for humanitarian interventions that provide psychosocial support to war-affected youth is a key priority. We tested the impacts of an 8-week programme of structured activities informed by a profound stress attunement (PSA) framework (Advancing Adolescents), delivered in group-format to 12-18 year-olds in communities heavily affected by the Syrian crisis. We included both Syrian refugee and Jordanian youth. METHODS: We followed an experimental design, comparing treatment youth and wait-list controls over two programme implementation cycles, randomizing to study arm in cycle 2 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03012451). We measured insecurity, distress, mental health difficulties, prosocial behaviour and post-traumatic stress symptoms at three time-points: baseline (n = 817 youth; 55% Syrian, 43% female), postintervention (n = 463; 54% Syrian, 47% female), and follow-up (n = 212, 58% Syrian, 43% female). Regression models assessed: prospective intervention impacts, adjusting for baseline scores, trauma exposure, age, and gender; differential impacts across levels of trauma exposure and activity-based modality; and sustained recovery 1 year later. We analysed cycle-specific and cycle-pooled data for youth exclusively engaged in Advancing Adolescents and for the intent-to-treat sample. RESULTS: We found medium to small effect sizes for all psychosocial outcomes, namely Human Insecurity (beta = -7.04 (95% CI: -10.90, -3.17), Cohen's d = -0.4), Human Distress (beta = -5.78 (-9.02, -2.54), d = -0.3), and Perceived Stress (beta = -1.92 (-3.05, -0.79), d = -0.3); and two secondary mental health outcomes (AYMH: beta = -3.35 (-4.68, -2.02), d = -0.4; SDQ: beta = -1.46 (-2.42, -0.50), d = -0.2). We found no programme impacts for prosocial behaviour or post-traumatic stress reactions. Beneficial impacts were stronger for youth with exposure to four trauma events or more. While symptoms alleviated for both intervention and control groups over time, there were sustained effects of the intervention on Human Insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: Findings strengthen the evidence base for mental health and psychosocial programming for a generation affected by conflict and forced displacement. We discuss implications for programme implementation and evaluation research. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12832 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=359 [article] Insecurity, distress and mental health: experimental and randomized controlled trials of a psychosocial intervention for youth affected by the Syrian crisis [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Catherine PANTER-BRICK, Auteur ; R. DAJANI, Auteur ; M. EGGERMAN, Auteur ; S. HERMOSILLA, Auteur ; A. SANCILIO, Auteur ; Alastair AGER, Auteur . - p.523-541. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 59-5 (May 2018) . - p.523-541 Mots-clés : Mental health and psychosocial support  evaluation  forced displacement  implementation science  refugees  war Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: Strengthening the evidence base for humanitarian interventions that provide psychosocial support to war-affected youth is a key priority. We tested the impacts of an 8-week programme of structured activities informed by a profound stress attunement (PSA) framework (Advancing Adolescents), delivered in group-format to 12-18 year-olds in communities heavily affected by the Syrian crisis. We included both Syrian refugee and Jordanian youth. METHODS: We followed an experimental design, comparing treatment youth and wait-list controls over two programme implementation cycles, randomizing to study arm in cycle 2 (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03012451). We measured insecurity, distress, mental health difficulties, prosocial behaviour and post-traumatic stress symptoms at three time-points: baseline (n = 817 youth; 55% Syrian, 43% female), postintervention (n = 463; 54% Syrian, 47% female), and follow-up (n = 212, 58% Syrian, 43% female). Regression models assessed: prospective intervention impacts, adjusting for baseline scores, trauma exposure, age, and gender; differential impacts across levels of trauma exposure and activity-based modality; and sustained recovery 1 year later. We analysed cycle-specific and cycle-pooled data for youth exclusively engaged in Advancing Adolescents and for the intent-to-treat sample. RESULTS: We found medium to small effect sizes for all psychosocial outcomes, namely Human Insecurity (beta = -7.04 (95% CI: -10.90, -3.17), Cohen's d = -0.4), Human Distress (beta = -5.78 (-9.02, -2.54), d = -0.3), and Perceived Stress (beta = -1.92 (-3.05, -0.79), d = -0.3); and two secondary mental health outcomes (AYMH: beta = -3.35 (-4.68, -2.02), d = -0.4; SDQ: beta = -1.46 (-2.42, -0.50), d = -0.2). We found no programme impacts for prosocial behaviour or post-traumatic stress reactions. Beneficial impacts were stronger for youth with exposure to four trauma events or more. While symptoms alleviated for both intervention and control groups over time, there were sustained effects of the intervention on Human Insecurity. CONCLUSIONS: Findings strengthen the evidence base for mental health and psychosocial programming for a generation affected by conflict and forced displacement. We discuss implications for programme implementation and evaluation research. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12832 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=359

Short- and longer-term impacts of Child Friendly Space Interventions in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Uganda / J. METZLER in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 60-11 (November 2019)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 60-11 (November 2019) . - p.1152-1163 Titre : Short- and longer-term impacts of Child Friendly Space Interventions in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Uganda Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : J. METZLER, Auteur ; K. DIACONU, Auteur ; S. HERMOSILLA, Auteur ; R. KAIJUKA, Auteur ; G. EBULU, Auteur ; K. SAVAGE, Auteur ; Alastair AGER, Auteur Article en page(s) : p.1152-1163 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Humanitarian crisis  impact  longitudinal  protection  psychosocial support  refugees Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: The establishment of Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) has become a widespread intervention targeting protection and support for displaced children in humanitarian contexts. There is a lack of evidence of impact of these interventions with respect to both short-term outcomes and longer-term developmental trajectories. METHODS: We collected data from caregivers of Congolese refugee children residing in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement at three timepoints. To assess short-term impact of CFSs, we compared indicators assessed shortly after refugees' arrival (baseline, T1) and endline (T2, three to six months after CFS implementation) amongst 430 CFS attenders and 161 nonattenders. Follow-up assessments after the end of CFS programming were conducted 18 months post-baseline (T3) with caregivers of 249 previous CFS attenders and 77 CFS nonattenders. RESULTS: In the short-term, attendance at CFSs was associated with better maintenance of psychosocial well-being (PSWB; beta = 2.093, p < .001, Cohen's d = .347) and greater increases in developmental assets (beta = 2.517, p < .001, Cohen's d = .231), with significantly stronger impacts for girls. CFS interventions meeting higher programing quality criteria were associated with greater impact on both PSWB and development assets (beta = 2.603 vs. beta = 1.793 and beta = 2.942 vs. beta = 2.337 for attenders at higher and lower-quality CFSs c.f. nonattenders, respectively). Amongst boys, benefits of program attendance were only indicated for those attending higher-quality CFS (beta = 2.084, p = .006 for PSWB). At follow-up, however, there were no discernable impacts of prior CFS attendance on any measures. Age and school attendance were the only characteristics that predicted an outcome - developmental assets - at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Attendance at CFSs - particularly involving higher-quality programming - supported children's well-being and development. However, sustained impact beyond active CFS programming was not demonstrated. Intervention goals and strategies in humanitarian contexts need to address the challenge of connecting children to other resources to facilitate developmental progress in conditions of protracted displacement. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13069 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=408 [article] Short- and longer-term impacts of Child Friendly Space Interventions in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Uganda [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / J. METZLER, Auteur ; K. DIACONU, Auteur ; S. HERMOSILLA, Auteur ; R. KAIJUKA, Auteur ; G. EBULU, Auteur ; K. SAVAGE, Auteur ; Alastair AGER, Auteur . - p.1152-1163. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 60-11 (November 2019) . - p.1152-1163 Mots-clés : Humanitarian crisis  impact  longitudinal  protection  psychosocial support  refugees Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : BACKGROUND: The establishment of Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs) has become a widespread intervention targeting protection and support for displaced children in humanitarian contexts. There is a lack of evidence of impact of these interventions with respect to both short-term outcomes and longer-term developmental trajectories. METHODS: We collected data from caregivers of Congolese refugee children residing in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement at three timepoints. To assess short-term impact of CFSs, we compared indicators assessed shortly after refugees' arrival (baseline, T1) and endline (T2, three to six months after CFS implementation) amongst 430 CFS attenders and 161 nonattenders. Follow-up assessments after the end of CFS programming were conducted 18 months post-baseline (T3) with caregivers of 249 previous CFS attenders and 77 CFS nonattenders. RESULTS: In the short-term, attendance at CFSs was associated with better maintenance of psychosocial well-being (PSWB; beta = 2.093, p < .001, Cohen's d = .347) and greater increases in developmental assets (beta = 2.517, p < .001, Cohen's d = .231), with significantly stronger impacts for girls. CFS interventions meeting higher programing quality criteria were associated with greater impact on both PSWB and development assets (beta = 2.603 vs. beta = 1.793 and beta = 2.942 vs. beta = 2.337 for attenders at higher and lower-quality CFSs c.f. nonattenders, respectively). Amongst boys, benefits of program attendance were only indicated for those attending higher-quality CFS (beta = 2.084, p = .006 for PSWB). At follow-up, however, there were no discernable impacts of prior CFS attendance on any measures. Age and school attendance were the only characteristics that predicted an outcome - developmental assets - at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Attendance at CFSs - particularly involving higher-quality programming - supported children's well-being and development. However, sustained impact beyond active CFS programming was not demonstrated. Intervention goals and strategies in humanitarian contexts need to address the challenge of connecting children to other resources to facilitate developmental progress in conditions of protracted displacement. En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13069 Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=408

The impact of structured activities among Palestinian children in a time of conflict / Maryanne LOUGHRY in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47-12 (December 2006)  

Public ISBD [article]  inJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 47-12 (December 2006) . - p.1211–1218 Titre : The impact of structured activities among Palestinian children in a time of conflict Type de document : Texte imprimé et/ou numérique Auteurs : Maryanne LOUGHRY, Auteur ; Alastair AGER, Auteur ; Eirini FLOURI, Auteur ; Vivian KHAMIS, Auteur ; Abdel Hamid AFANA, Auteur ; Samir QOUTA, Auteur Année de publication : 2007 Article en page(s) : p.1211–1218 Langues : Anglais (eng) Mots-clés : Conflict intervention Palestinian-children parent–child-relationships psychosocial activities refugees resilience structured-activities Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background: There is growing evidence of the impact on children's well-being of exposure to political conflict in such settings as the Palestinian territories. This study examined the impact of child-focused interventions involving structured activities, supported by provision of equipment and training of facilitators. The focus of interventions was participation in recreational, cultural and other non-formal activities supporting the development of resilience. Impacts were hypothesised on children's social and emotional well-being, relationships with parents and degree of future orientation. Methods: Two hundred and fifty children from the West Bank and 150 children from Gaza took part in the study. Of these 400 children, 300 comprised the intervention group. Fifty children from Gaza and 50 children from the West Bank comprised the comparison group. There were equal numbers of girls and boys in all groups, with similar proportions of children aged between 6 and 11 years, and between 12 and 17 years. Measures used were the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Parental Support Scale and the Hopefulness Scale: Youth Version. Assessment was made as children enrolled on the structured activity programmes (T1) and again twelve months later (T2). Results: There was no difference in the CBCL Total, Internalising or Externalising problem scores at baseline (Time 1) between the children who subsequently took the intervention and those who did not. Compared to children in the comparison group, children in the intervention group had lower CBCL total problem scores, externalising problem scores, and internalising problem scores at Time 2 compared to Time 1. Exposure to the intervention was not associated with changes in children's hopefulness, but those receiving the intervention in the West Bank did report improved parental support at Time 2. Conclusions: The intervention appeared successful in improving children's emotional and behavioural well-being but not hopefulness. It was also linked with increased parental support in some areas (those located in the West Bank). En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01656.x Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=811 [article] The impact of structured activities among Palestinian children in a time of conflict [Texte imprimé et/ou numérique] / Maryanne LOUGHRY, Auteur ; Alastair AGER, Auteur ; Eirini FLOURI, Auteur ; Vivian KHAMIS, Auteur ; Abdel Hamid AFANA, Auteur ; Samir QOUTA, Auteur . - 2007 . - p.1211–1218. Langues : Anglais (eng) in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry > 47-12 (December 2006) . - p.1211–1218 Mots-clés : Conflict intervention Palestinian-children parent–child-relationships psychosocial activities refugees resilience structured-activities Index. décimale : PER Périodiques Résumé : Background: There is growing evidence of the impact on children's well-being of exposure to political conflict in such settings as the Palestinian territories. This study examined the impact of child-focused interventions involving structured activities, supported by provision of equipment and training of facilitators. The focus of interventions was participation in recreational, cultural and other non-formal activities supporting the development of resilience. Impacts were hypothesised on children's social and emotional well-being, relationships with parents and degree of future orientation. Methods: Two hundred and fifty children from the West Bank and 150 children from Gaza took part in the study. Of these 400 children, 300 comprised the intervention group. Fifty children from Gaza and 50 children from the West Bank comprised the comparison group. There were equal numbers of girls and boys in all groups, with similar proportions of children aged between 6 and 11 years, and between 12 and 17 years. Measures used were the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), the Parental Support Scale and the Hopefulness Scale: Youth Version. Assessment was made as children enrolled on the structured activity programmes (T1) and again twelve months later (T2). Results: There was no difference in the CBCL Total, Internalising or Externalising problem scores at baseline (Time 1) between the children who subsequently took the intervention and those who did not. Compared to children in the comparison group, children in the intervention group had lower CBCL total problem scores, externalising problem scores, and internalising problem scores at Time 2 compared to Time 1. Exposure to the intervention was not associated with changes in children's hopefulness, but those receiving the intervention in the West Bank did report improved parental support at Time 2. Conclusions: The intervention appeared successful in improving children's emotional and behavioural well-being but not hopefulness. It was also linked with increased parental support in some areas (those located in the West Bank). En ligne : http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2006.01656.x Permalink : https://www.cra-rhone-alpes.org/cid/opac_css/index.php?lvl=notice_display&id=811

The impact of the school-based Psychosocial Structured Activities (PSSA) program on conflict-affected children in northern Uganda / Alastair AGER in Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 52-11 (November 2011)  

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