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Investigating Outcomes of a Family Strengthening Intervention for Resettled Somali Bantu and Bhutanese Refugees: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study

Author

Listed:
  • Sarah Elizabeth Neville

    (Intenational Health Institute, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA)

  • Kira DiClemente-Bosco

    (Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science, Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA)

  • Lila K. Chamlagai

    (Brown Mindfulness Center, Behavioral Health and Social Science Department, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA)

  • Mary Bunn

    (Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA)

  • Jordan Freeman

    (Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

  • Jenna M. Berent

    (Research Program on Children in Adversity, School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA)

  • Bhuwan Gautam

    (College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA)

  • Abdirahman Abdi

    (Shanbaro Community Association, Chelsea, MA 02150, USA)

  • Theresa S. Betancourt

    (Research Program on Children in Adversity, School of Social Work, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA)

Abstract

Pre- and post-migration stressors can put resettled refugee children at risk of poor mental health outcomes. The Family Strengthening Intervention for Refugees (FSI-R) is a peer-delivered preventative home visiting program for resettled refugees that aims to draw upon families’ strengths to foster improved family communication, positive parenting, and caregiver-child relationships, with the ultimate goal of reducing children’s risk of mental health problems. Using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, this study draws upon qualitative interviews with caregivers (n = 19) and children (n = 17) who participated in a pilot study of the FSI-R intervention in New England, as well as interventionists (n = 4), to unpack quantitative findings on mental health and family functioning from a randomized pilot study (n = 80 families). Most patterns observed in the quantitative data as published in the pilot trial were triangulated by qualitative data. Bhutanese caregivers and children noted that children were less shy or scared to speak up after participating in the FSI-R. Somali Bantu families spoke less about child mental health and underscored feasibility challenges like language barriers between caregivers and children. Interventionists suggested that families with higher levels of education were more open to implementing behavior change. In both groups, families appreciated the intervention and found it to be feasible and acceptable, but also desired additional help in addressing broader family and community needs such as jobs and literacy programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Elizabeth Neville & Kira DiClemente-Bosco & Lila K. Chamlagai & Mary Bunn & Jordan Freeman & Jenna M. Berent & Bhuwan Gautam & Abdirahman Abdi & Theresa S. Betancourt, 2022. "Investigating Outcomes of a Family Strengthening Intervention for Resettled Somali Bantu and Bhutanese Refugees: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:19:p:12415-:d:929353
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Betancourt, T.S. & Frounfelker, R. & Mishra, T. & Hussein, A. & Falzarano, R., 2015. "Addressing health disparities in the mental health of refugee children and adolescents through community-based participatory research: A study in 2 communities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105, pages 475-482.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chelsey Kirkland & Na’Tasha Evans & Kamesha Spates & Cedric Mubikayi Kabasele, 2022. "Perceptions of Resettled Refugee Congolese Women: Maintaining Cultural Traditions during Resettlement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-12, December.

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