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A Relationship-Based Intervention to Improve Social Connectedness in Street-Involved Youth: A Pilot Study
PROBLEM: Street‐involved youth experience a range of mental health problems with elevated rates of psychiatric disorders compared with non‐homeless youth. The overall objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a relationship‐based intervention for homeless youth receiving services...
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Published in: | Journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing 2011-11, Vol.24 (4), p.208-215 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | PROBLEM: Street‐involved youth experience a range of mental health problems with elevated rates of psychiatric disorders compared with non‐homeless youth. The overall objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a relationship‐based intervention for homeless youth receiving services from agencies in downtown Toronto.
METHODS: The final sample included 15 homeless youth who met the study inclusion criteria. The intervention and comparison groups were compared at baseline and post‐treatment on measures of mental health symptoms, hopelessness, self‐esteem, resilience, and social connectedness.
FINDINGS: Participants receiving the intervention demonstrated a significant improvement in social connectedness, with a trend toward decreased hopelessness. Those participants who did not receive the intervention did not demonstrate any improvements in social connectedness and hopelessness.
CONCLUSION: This preliminary pilot study suggests that providing a relationship‐based intervention to street‐involved youth may offer promise to strengthen social relationships and to mitigate overwhelming hopelessness and despair. |
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ISSN: | 1073-6077 1744-6171 |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1744-6171.2011.00301.x |