scholarly journals Strong Families: A new family skills training programme for challenged and humanitarian settings: a single-arm intervention tested in Afghanistan

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Haar ◽  
Aala El-Khani ◽  
Virginia Molgaard ◽  
Wadih Maalouf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Family Adjustment ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
New Family ◽  
Family Skills Training ◽  
Difficulty Score

Abstract Background Children living in challenged humanitarian settings are at greater risk of mental health difficulties or behavioural problems, with caregivers acting as their main protective factors. While many family skills programmes exist, very few were developed for or piloted in families living in low resource settings. We therefore designed a brief and light programme and conducted an effectiveness trial in Afghanistan. Methods We recruited female caregivers and children aged 8-12 years via schools and drug treatment centres in Afghanistan and enrolled them in a family skills programme over three weeks. Demographic data, emotional and behavioural difficulties of children and parental skills and family adjustment measures were collected from caregivers before, two and six weeks after the intervention. Outcome was assessed through the SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) and PAFAS (Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales). Results We enrolled 72 families in the programme and followed 93·1% up overall. Mean age of caregivers was 36·1 years, they had 3·8 children on average and 91·7% of them had experienced war/armed conflict in their past. The total difficulty score of the SDQ of the 72 children reduced significantly, from 17.8 at pre-test to 12.9 at post-test and 10.6 at follow-up, with no difference in gender and mostly in those with highest scores at baseline. Likewise, PAFAS scores improved significantly after the programme, again with caregivers with the highest scores at baseline improving most. Conclusions The implementation of a brief family skills programme was feasible in a resource-limited setting and had an impact on child mental health and parenting practices and family adjustment skills. This indicated the value of such programme and the feasibility to move it to scale. The effects need to be verified through an RCT and with longer follow-ups.

scholarly journals Strong Families: A new family skills training programme for challenged and humanitarian settings: a single-arm intervention tested in Afghanistan

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Haar ◽  
Aala El-Khani ◽  
Virginia Molgaard ◽  
Wadih Maalouf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Family Adjustment ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
Post Conflict

Abstract Background Children living in challenged humanitarian settings (including those in rural/underserved areas, the displaced, refugees, in conflict/post conflict situations) are at greater risk of mental health difficulties or behavioural problems, with caregivers acting as their main protective factors. While many family skills programmes exist, very few were developed for, or piloted in, low resource settings (settings with limited infrastructure, typical of humanitarian settings). We therefore designed a brief and light programme and conducted an effectiveness trial first in Afghanistan.Methods We recruited female caregivers and children aged 8-12 years through schools and drug treatment centres in Afghanistan and enrolled them in a family skills programme over three weeks. Demographic data, emotional and behavioural difficulties of children and parental skills and family adjustment measures were collected from caregivers before, 2 and 6 weeks after the intervention. Outcome was assessed through the SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), assessing children’s behavioural, emotional, and social issues, and PAFAS (Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales), measuring parenting practices and family functioning.Results We enrolled 72 families in the programme with a 93.1% retention rate (n=67) for data collection 6 weeks post intervention. The mean age of caregivers was 36.1 years, they had 3·8 children on average and 91.7% of them had experienced war/armed conflict in their past. The average total difficulty score of the SDQ (ranging from 0 to 40, with scores above 16 being indicative of high problems) of the 72 children reduced significantly, from 17.8 at pre-test to 12.9 at post-test and 10.6 at second follow-up, with no difference in gender and most noticeably amongst those with the highest scores at baseline. Likewise, PAFAS scores improved significantly after the programme, again with caregivers with the highest scores at baseline improving most.Conclusions The implementation of a brief family skills programme was seemingly effective and feasible in a resource-limited setting and positively improved child mental health and parenting practices and family adjustment skills. These results support the value of such a programme and call for further validation through an RCT and with longer follow-ups.

scholarly journals Strong Families: A new family skills training programme for challenged and humanitarian settings: a single-arm intervention tested in Afghanistan

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Haar ◽  
Aala El-Khani ◽  
Virginia Molgaard ◽  
Wadih Maalouf
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Retention Rate ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Family Adjustment ◽  
Humanitarian Settings ◽  
Post Conflict

Abstract Background Children living in challenged humanitarian settings (rural/underserved areas, displaced, refugees, conflict/post conflict) are at greater risk of mental health difficulties or behavioural problems, with caregivers acting as their main protective factors. While many family skills programmes exist, very few were developed for, or piloted in, low resource settings (settings with limited infrastructure). We designed the brief and light Strong Families (SF) programme, consisting of 5 hours contact time over 3 weeks. We conducted a pilot study aiming to test the feasibility of implementation, and preliminary effectiveness of SF, in improving child behaviour and family functioning in Afghanistan. Methods We recruited female caregivers and children aged 8-12 years through schools and drug treatment centres and enrolled them in the SF programme. Demographic data, emotional and behavioural difficulties of children and parental skills and family adjustment measures were collected from caregivers before, 2 and 6 weeks after the intervention. Outcome was assessed through the SDQ (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), assessing children’s behavioural, emotional, and social issues, and PAFAS (Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales), measuring parenting practices and family functioning. Results We enrolled 72 families in the programme with a 93.1% retention rate (n=67) for data collection 6 weeks post intervention. Mean age of caregivers was 36.1 years, they had 3.8 children on average and 91.7% of them had experienced war/armed conflict in their past. The average total difficulty score of the SDQ (ranging from 0 to 40, with scores above 16 being indicative of high problems) of the 72 children reduced significantly, from 17.8 at pre-test to 12.9 at post-test and 10.6 at second follow-up, with no difference in gender and most noticeably amongst those with the highest scores at baseline. Likewise, PAFAS scores decreased significantly after the programme, again with caregivers with the highest scores at baseline improving most. Conclusions The implementation of a brief family skills programme was seemingly effective and feasible in a resource-limited setting and positively improved child mental health and parenting practices and family adjustment skills. These results suggest the value of such a programme and call for validation through further impact assessment and outcome evaluation.

Virtual reality in social skills training programs for people with schizophrenia: A systematic review and focus group

2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110113
Author(s):  
Catarina Oliveira ◽  
Raquel Simões de Almeida ◽  
António Marques
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Skills Training ◽  
Occupational Therapists ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Cochrane Library

Introduction This study aims to determine the guidelines for the design of a social skills training programme for people with schizophrenia using virtual reality. Methods This article encompasses two studies: Study 1, a systematic review of five articles indexed in the databases B-on, PubMed, Clinical trials and Cochrane Library (2010–2020); Study 2, a focus group of occupational therapists trained in mental health and multimedia professionals, in which they discussed the outline of such a programme. Results A set of guidelines were identified as central and consensual which should be included in the programme. It must have multilevel logic and gradual learning, with simulations of everyday situations, in which it is possible to practise the skills of conversation and communication. Virtual reality provides people with schizophrenia with unlimited opportunities, enhancing a personalized intervention. Conclusion Social skills training could be part of the treatment for people with schizophrenia, and virtual reality is a promising tool to complement traditional training, although still little implemented in mental health services. Occupational therapists have a prominent role in the development and application of this because of their knowledge of activity analysis and their ability to facilitate the generalization of skills in different contexts.

Socio Demographic and Clinical Profile of Indoor Female Patients of RINPAS

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Rajni Suri ◽  
Anshu Suri ◽  
Neelam Kumari ◽  
Amool R. Singh ◽  
Manisha Kiran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional

The role of women is very crucial in our society. She cares for her parents, partner, children and other relatives. She performs all types of duties in family and also in the society without any expectations. Because of playing many roles, women often face many challenges in their life including both physical and mental. Mental health problems affect women and men equally, but some problems are more common among women including both physical and mental health problems. Aim of the study - The present study is aimed to describe and compare the clinical and socio-demographic correlates of female mentally ill patients. Methods and Materials: The study includes 180 female mentally ill patients based on cross sectional design and the sample for the study was drawn purposively. A semi structured socio-demographic data sheet was prepared to collect relevant information as per the need of the study. Result: The present study reveals that the socio-demographic factors contribute a vital role in mental illness. Findings also showed that majority of patients had mental problems in the age range of 20-30 have high rate. Illiterate and primary level of education and daily wage working women as well as low and middle socio-economic status women are more prone to have mental illness. Other factors like marital status, type of family and religion etc also important factors for mental illness. Keywords: Socio demographic profile, female, psychiatric patient

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document