Promoting Posttraumatic Growth Among the Refugee Population in Spain: A Community-Based Pilot Intervention

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Abstract

Various international organisations have identified the development of programmes that mitigate the negative impact that forced displacement has on refugees’ mental health as a priority intervention area. From this perspective, this study seeks to lend empirical support to a community-based pilot intervention aimed at promoting posttraumatic growth (PTG) among refugee adults arrived to Seville, the capital of Andaluci ­a (southern Spain). PTG constitutes a mental health indicator that refers to the positive personal transformations refugees undergo as a consequence of experiencing forced displacement. This concept does not negate the undeniable personal suffering forced displacement causes for refugees; rather, it focuses on the positive changes this event has the potential to bring about. Forty-seven individuals from several countries in conflict participated in the intervention over 15 weeks (March-June 2017). The implementation process comprised two phases: (a) training a group of settled refugees to become peer mentors; and (b) holding cultural peer-support group sessions made up of newly arrived refugees led by the mentors. Significant improvements were found in four of the five PTG factors: appreciation of life, personal strength, relating to others and new possibilities. However, no significant differences were observed for spiritual change. We also documented implementation outcomes which revealed high intervention acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What is the impact of peer support groups on refugees’ mental health?

Multiple sources of strong evidence indicates that peer support groups can improve newcomer mental health symptoms. Three systematic reviews, as well as four additional studies, demonstrate positive outcomes from peer support groups in various newcomer populations. Such groups appear to provide a unique benefit to both participants and newcomer leaders in enhancing social connections, expanding […]

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Spain

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High Income

INTERVENTION DURATION: 15 weeks

INTERVENTION: Mental health and psychosocial support services

INTERVENTION: Peer support groups

OUTCOME AREA: General Distress Reduction

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Suggestive evidence

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2020

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