Purpose: A meta-analysis of group interventions to reduce post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and/or depression among refugee and immigrant children and adolescents. Methods: A systematic search was followed by independent reviews of each study for risk of bias. The meta-analysis pooled between- and within-condition effect sizes on PTSS and depression across studies using a random-effects model. Results: The search yielded 16 studies utilizing eight interventions involving 976 participants. For all studies, within conditions, there were good effects on PTSS (d = 0.66, 95% CI [0.86, 0.46]) and depression (d = 0.51, 95% CI [0.79, 0.23]) with substantial heterogeneity. For studies with control groups, the between-group effect sizes yielded a small effect on PTSS (d = 0.31, 95% CI [0.65, 0.03]) with no significant effect on depression. Conclusions: The interventions helped to reduce PTSS and depression. Most studies lacked rigorous designs and provided little information on group variables needed for replication.
Primary substance use prevention programs for children and youth: A systematic review
An updated synthesis of research on substance abuse prevention programs can promote enhanced uptake of programs with proven effectiveness, particularly when paired with information relevant to practitioners and policy makers.To assess the strength of the scientific evidence for psychoactive substance abuse prevention programs for school-aged children and youth.A systematic review was conducted of studies published…