Development and evaluation of a resilience enhancement program for shelter-residing female youth

Abstract

Background: Runaway youth are likely to have prior experiences of traumatic events such as abuse and neglect by parents or caregivers, and as a result they are vulnerable to various mental health conditions. To address trauma-related mental health needs, this paper suggests strength-based interventions based on resilience theory. Objectives: This study aims to (1) develop a resilience enhancement program consisting of individual protective factors for shelter-residing female runaway youth and (2) to evaluate the effects of this program on resilience, depression, anxiety, and problem drinking among this cohort. Design and setting: This study was a quasi-experimental research with a non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design. Participants recruited from five women youth shelters were assessed at pretest, posttest, and 1-month follow-up assessment. Participants: This study recruited 32 shelter-residing female youth aged from 12 to 21 (16 experimental participants and 16 control participants). Methods: A resilience enhancement program was developed based on an integrative literature review and a needs assessment. After data collection for the control group, data for the experimental group was collected. Changes in outcome measures over time between groups were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations. Results: The intervention incorporates four protective factors of resilience: self-esteem, self-regulation, relational skills, and problem-solving and goal-setting skills. There were significant group-by-time interaction effects for resilience, anxiety, and problem drinking at 1-month follow-up. Although significant decreases in depression over time occurred for both experimental and control participants, the number of participants reporting clinically significant reduction in depression was greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions: The results indicate that a resilience enhancement program is effective in improving resilience, anxiety, and problem drinking in female runaway youth residing in shelters. This theory-driven intervention will be expected to be delivered by psychiatric and mental health nurses to help runaway youth living in shelters.