This multi-method pilot study assessed three versions of a school-based program that reflects advocacy in service-learning pedagogy by centering on education for immigrant rights in three states. A total of 137 participants were surveyed post-program about their empowerment with legal rights information, psychological well-being, and open-ended prompts regarding their program experiences. Associations and the moderation effects of program groups were probed in SPSS Process Macro. Consensual Qualitative Research Modified was used to analyze qualitative data. Results indicated high levels of empowerment and well-being. The moderation model explained 23.5% of the variance, with a moderately strong overall association (.13) between empowerment and well-being.Interaction and conditional effects revealed a direct link between empowerment and well-being for youth. CQR-M yielded six core ideas suggesting that all groups benefited from receiving empowering information and learning in an environment of gratitude for immigrants. Findings are relevant for interventions and practices for immigrant communities to flourish.
Peer recovery counseling (PRC) programs increasingly incorporate structured goal-setting frameworks, such as SMART, yet the fidelity of goals produced in real-world mental health crisis settings remains under explored. This study evaluated 128 counseling sessions from 20 clients across two PRC programs using the SMART-GEM framework to assess goal quality. Nonparametric analyses indicated that goal fidelity scores significantly improved over time. A series of multilevel models (MLMs) confirmed that 27.4% of variance in fidelity scores was attributable to differences between clients. Session timing emerged as the strongest predictor. Session timing accounted for the majority of between-client variance, suggesting that sustained engagement drives goal quality. Staff identity also emerged as a modest but statistically significant predictor. In contrast, neither program site nor delivery modality predicted SMART goal quality. Implications include the need for targeted staff development and the integration of retention-focused interventions to optimize SMART goal use in recovery services.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are both prevalent and harmful throughout the lifespan. More recently, researchers have begun to explore the potential mitigating or moderating effects of protective factors, mainly by examining Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs). However, the protective factors explored have largely focused on positive experiences in childhood or aspects of the individual or their family that might buffer ACEs, ignoring the larger contextual settings in which individuals develop over time. This study examined if contextual protective factors such as sense of community and perceived adequacy of resources contribute to college students' (n=523) anxiety and depression symptoms over and above the impact of ACEs and BCEs. Results revealed that ACEs were negatively related to BCEs, sense of community, and perceived adequacy of resources, while positively related to anxiety and depression symptoms. Hierarchical regression analyses found that both ACEs and BCEs predicted anxiety and depression symptoms, and when sense of community and perceived adequacy of resources were added to the model, it explained more of the variance and perceived adequacy of resources was a significant predictor over and above ACEs and BCEs. The results imply that adequate access to resources should be considered when designing interventions for adults with a history of ACEs.
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodologies align closely with the field of community psychology. System dynamics group model building (SD GMB) represents a CBPR-grounded approach that is centered on collaborating with stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of the dynamic complexity of a community problem, represented as a system dynamics (SD) model, and identifying potential solutions. Much is still unknown regarding the value of SD GMB for improving systems thinking capacity among community stakeholders. Therefore, this study evaluates systems thinking capacity among 32 stakeholders who participated in SD GMB workshops from two recent studies. Stakeholders completed a baseline survey before the first SD GMB workshop session and a final evaluation survey following the last session. This survey included a validated systems thinking scale (Dolansky et al., 2020) and a "systems thinking knowledge quiz" (only administered during the baseline survey) developed by the research team to assess stakeholder knowledge of key concepts. Among all stakeholders, the average systems thinking quiz score was nearly 45%, and knowledge quiz scores were higher among stakeholders who were older in age, had lived experience, were in healthcare provider or academic researcher/data professional roles, represented the nonprofit or grassroots sectors, reported prior experience with SD GMB, or did not attend the pre-session orientation. Overall, stakeholders' pretest scores and post-test scores did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference; however, increases in systems thinking mean scores were observed among stakeholders who were younger in age, had lived experience, were in community-based nonprofit staff roles, represented nonprofit or grassroots organizations, did not have prior SD GMB experience, or did not attend orientation. These findings underscore the importance of adopting a more differentiated and context-sensitive approach to evaluating SD GMB interventions. Future research should further explore how participatory modeling fosters systems thinking capacity across different stakeholder groups.
Sexual and gender diverse youth (SGDY) experience disproportionately high levels of depression and anxiety, which are particularly elevated among gender minority youth compared to their cisgender counterparts. Internalized stigma has been documented to predict elevated levels of depression and anxiety among SGDY. It remains unclear, however, whether internalized stigma is particularly influential for youth who are both sexual and gender minority, as compared to their cisgender sexual minority peers. The current study explores the interaction between internalized stigma and gender modality on mental health among sexual minority youth. Using cross-sectional survey data from N = 17,259 US American youth aged 13-18 (Mage = 15.79, SDage = 1.48), we found that gender modality and internalized stigma were both significantly associated with mental health, but there was no significant moderation between the two, despite adequate power to detect one. As such, internalized stigma may be similarly harmful for gender minority and cisgender sexual minority youth. Sensitivity analyses among gender minority youth revealed a significant interaction between internalized stigma and binary gender identity, suggesting internalized stigma plays a unique role for nonbinary youth as compared to binary trans youth. Implications for prevention and intervention are explored.
We present the new Self-Efficacy for Advocacy Scale (SEAS), which addresses a critical gap in the literature by providing an assessment of self-efficacy (confidence) for a variety of different advocacy behaviors across multiple ecological domains and diverse social justice issues. The SEAS is designed to serve as an outcome measure, mediator, and moderator within diverse community-based research and practice, such as participatory community action research, service-learning pedagogy (especially critical service-learning), and other advocacy-related experiential learning. After reviewing the major theoretical and pedagogical frameworks guiding our research, we report evidence of psychometric validation for the SEAS. Through four studies with undergraduate research participants, we provide evidence of internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, sensitivity to intervention effects, and criterion-related validity for the SEAS. In a fifth study, we used a hybrid of empirical and rational psychometric approaches to create a sample SEAS short-form, while also providing psychometric validation (internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity) for it. We discuss limitations of our research thus far (e.g., need for more cross-validation research), delineate specific recommendations for future research, and discuss implications for practitioners.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the juvenile justice system has undergone massive reform efforts. In Connecticut, the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee (JJPOC) has situated the state as a leader in juvenile justice reform. As reform continues, strong and educated leadership is needed to successfully implement system-wide reforms. The present study evaluated a nine-month professional and leadership development program designed for mid-level managers working at youth-serving organizations in Connecticut. The program was first implemented in 2015, shortly after the establishment of the JJPOC in 2014, to build the capacity of current and aspiring justice reformers. The program has since successfully graduated 141 professionals educated in areas such as brain development, results-based accountability, and juvenile justice policy. Guided by selected dimensions of the RE-AIM framework, this evaluation aimed to evaluate outcomes of the program's implementation process. Reach was evaluated by determining what populations the program engages, implementation was evaluated by determining what relevant topics participants are educated on, and effectiveness was evaluated by determining if participants exhibit capacity to identify issues and implement interventions during training. A content analysis of program records was completed for each RE-AIM dimension among the nine cohorts. Analysis revealed that the program reaches the desired population, implements relevant topics with fidelity and considers adaptations as state reforms progress, and effectively trains participants to exhibit capacity for youth justice reform. Implementation strategy recommendations include reinstituting prior session topics, yearly curriculum review, targeted recruitment for certain participant groups, and systematic program recordkeeping.
This study undertakes formative, participatory research involving open-ended dialogue, to examine wellbeing, its correlates and the language used around it, informed by literature on wellbeing and on non-formal community development rooted in democratization and participatory methods. The study employs qualitative data, drawn from a community consultation event held in Valletta, Malta. Data was coded and analysed using content and thematic analysis, along a spectrum that included economic, educational, health and nutrition, infrastructure and environment, interpersonal relations, civic life, cultural, spiritual and personality aspects. A key finding is the importance (both positive and negative) of family and interpersonal interactions for social wellbeing. While the findings do not challenge the mainstream literature about the key determinants of wellbeing, they shed light on their nuances and on the language used in Malta, as well as the age and gender distinctions. This opens up an agenda for further research using similar methods.
Students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors struggle with various psychological problems that prevent them from persisting to graduation. There is a need for campus service providers to adopt a new approach to effectively address STEM students' psychological challenges; hence the appeal of the interactionist neurodiversity framework (INF), which focuses on students' choices, strengths, insight, and self-determination. Our study adopted an INF-infused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol in a six-session intervention to address the psychological needs of students in STEM majors using a case study design. The Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS) was administered to participants with major depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety disorders. at baseline, after the intervention, and at 3-week follow-up. The Blanchard and Schwarz formula was used to calculate the percentage of clinically significant change for participants. While the overall results were mixed, the findings hold promise for improving the well-being of students in STEM majors struggling with depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety. Specifically, five participants with depression, four with generalized anxiety, and three with social anxiety maintained significant gains at follow-up, underscoring the need for continuing development of the INF-infused CBT protocol model to enhance the psychological well-being of students in STEM majors. Implications for future research and continuing usage of the protocol are examined and discussed.
This paper introduces the second installment of the two-issue series in the Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community with a focused theme on "Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors for Minoritized Communities." Building on Part I, which examined cardiovascular health disparities through intersectional and multiscale frameworks, Part II shifts attention from understanding inequities to translating knowledge into action through community engagement and intervention. The paper situates cardiovascular disease (CVD) disparities within structural contexts shaped by systemic racism, socioeconomic inequality, environmental exposures, and inequitable healthcare access that disproportionately affect minoritized populations. The articles in this issue highlight community-engaged and practice-oriented approaches to addressing cardiometabolic risk across diverse settings. Collectively, these contributions demonstrate the value of integrating clinical care with social support systems, strengthening community capacity, and leveraging culturally grounded strategies to improve prevention and disease management. The issue also explores how structural disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, interact with chronic disease burden to heighten vulnerability among older adults and underserved groups, underscoring the importance of resilience-focused and system-level interventions. The paper concludes with a call for research and practice that combines intersectional and multilevel perspectives with implementation of science and community-based participatory approaches to ensure interventions are culturally relevant, scalable, and sustainable. By emphasizing empowerment, partnership, and structural accountability, Part II underscores the importance of moving beyond documenting disparities toward mobilizing communities and implementing solutions to advance cardiovascular health equity among minoritized populations.
This paper introduces the themed issue of Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community with a focus on "Mental health services delivered in non-clinical settings." Background is given on the use of non-clinical spaces for delivering mental health services and support. The included papers are organized by type of setting and briefly summarized. This introduction highlights the promise of non-clinical settings for reaching underserved populations and outlines future areas of focus for research and practice.
Urban populations increasingly face psychological stress due to fast-paced lifestyles, environmental stimulation, long work hours, traffic congestion, and noise pollution. Scalable digital mental health and telehealth stress-management interventions are therefore essential to improve psychological well-being and resilience. This randomized controlled trial evaluated a telerehabilitation-based Positive Psychological Intervention (PPI) designed for young urban adults. The remote program incorporated evidence-based mindfulness training, gratitude exercises, and strength-based positive psychology strategies. A total of 406 participants aged 21-35 years in Chennai with baseline Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) scores of 14-40 were equally assigned to experimental (telerehabilitation PPI) and control (telerehabilitation Benson Relaxation Technique) groups. Sessions were delivered for 1.5 hours per day, three days weekly, over 12 weeks. Outcomes assessed using salivary cortisol biomarkers and PSS-10 showed significant stress reduction in both groups. These findings highlight telerehabilitation as an effective e-mental health, remote stress-reduction, and urban mental-wellness strategy supporting accessible telehealth-based psychological care.
Children in the U.S. face a continuing mental health crisis that demands a public health framework. Sustainable innovations that keep pace with dynamic community settings require community-academic partnerships. Out-of-school time (OST) is a natural setting for mental health promotion as OST program goals align with social-emotional skills common in evidence-based programs. This manuscript describes an iterative process to refine Leaders@Play (L@P), an OST model for youth promoting mental health and co-facilitated by park and university staff promoting mental health, by University of Illinois Chicago researchers and Chicago Park District staff and administrators. We describe two phases: (a) Refinement: adapting content and format from the original L@P, and developing a training system; (b) Open Trial: exploring feasibility of the refined curriculum and impact on youth social skills and behavior. Results revealed high feasibility and potential support for program impact on youth mental health among high-risk youth. Implications for workforce development and program refinement are discussed.
Youth-serving providers (YSP) and community members (CM) working with trauma-exposed youth often face challenges implementing evidence-based, trauma-informed practices. Understanding the mechanisms that promote best practice uptake and addressing barriers to implementation readiness is critical. Guided by the Socioecological Model (SEM) and implementation science frameworks, this study examined pathways from training participant roles to the use of five best practices for community violence prevention via community violence exposure (CVE) and organizational practices (OP). A parallel multiple mediation model using maximum likelihood estimation with bootstrapping was conducted on 1,295 participants (67.6% female; mean age = 37.1 years, SD = 11.8) across roles (community members, mental health clinicians [clinician], child-focused professionals [CFP], and justice professionals [JP]). Key findings revealed: (a) training participant roles were distinctively associated with use of best practices; (b) roles predicted differences in CVE and OP, with CVE positively associated with all practices; (c) both CVE and OP significantly mediated these relationships; (d) CVE consistently mediated the link between roles and all practices, while OP had mixed effects, reducing practice use for clinicians but enhancing it for CFP and JP. This study uniquely identifies pre-training best practices already in use, emphasizing the importance of addressing CVE and OP to enhance training outcomes. By demonstrating that pre-training differences vary by role, CVE, and OP, this study underscores the need for contextually tailored training and capacity-building efforts. Implications for training and study limitations are discussed.
Police are often called to address concerns about people experiencing homelessness and mental health crises. These interactions often lead to arrests, which lead to fines that many are unable to pay, loss of personal belongings, and additional barriers to housing and employment. Based on concerns about the over-policing of people experiencing homelessness, communities have become increasingly interested in alternatives to police response to calls involving people experiencing mental health distress and homelessness. Portland Street Response (PSR) is one such alternative that was developed and implemented in Portland, Oregon. Although specifically focused on mental and behavioral health crises, a large portion of PSR's calls respond to individuals experiencing homelessness. For this reason, it is critical to assess unhoused community members' knowledge of PSR and their experiences with and attitudes toward the program. 719 surveys of unhoused community members and 29 follow-up qualitative interviews were conducted across four evaluation timepoints. Knowledge of PSR was low at the beginning of the program but increased significantly over the evaluation period. Unhoused community members, particularly those who were Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC), reported feeling unsafe calling 911 to request service from PSR, though their trust increased over time. While only a small percentage of unhoused community members we spoke with reported direct experience interacting with PSR, those who did expressed high levels of satisfaction, appreciating the compassionate, person-centered care they received in the community; the connection to housing, health services, and other resources; and the collaborative manner in which PSR staff engaged with them. As cities across the country implement alternative first responder programs, our findings help identify important areas to consider to ensure that unhoused community members are aware of how to access the programs, and, importantly, that they trust the programs will help them rather than harm them.
Latino/as in the US face disadvantages related to the social-ecological environment in which they live, contributing to poor physical and mental health outcomes. Despite these challenges, Latino/as demonstrate protective factors that may buffer the effects of a high stress burden and lead to more positive health outcomes. Resilience measurements can often lack cultural specificity, a critical component to understanding social mechanisms that may contribute to health in this population. This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the Inventario de Resiliencia (IRES), a Spanish-language resilience instrument developed in Mexico. The study utilized data from a community-based-participatory research study in the border town of South Yuma, Arizona (N = 282). Resilience was measured at time points over one year, alongside assessments of self-rated health, social connectedness, psychological distress, and perceived ecological stress. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed at each time point to confirm the latent structure of resilience. To assess whether participants responded similarly to the IRES over time, a confirmatory factor analytic model was used to test for the invariance of factor covariance, mean, and residual variance structures across the time points. Cronbach's Alpha, Pearson product-moment and Kendall's Tau correlations were used to assess construct validity, and reliability. Findings demonstrated that IRES has excellent internal consistency, the structure of the original scale fit well with the data, and the IRES exhibited strong invariance across time. Test-retest reliability and construct validity were established by convergent and discriminant validity. This study establishes and supports the use of the IRES as a reliable and valid tool for measuring resilience in U.S. Latino/a populations. These findings underscore the importance of culturally tailored instruments in research and suggest that a more nuanced understanding of resilience can be leveraged to inform interventions and policies aimed at reducing health disparities in minority populations.
Medical respite is a form of residential convalescent care providing aftercare services to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness and housing instability. Little research examines how residential convalescent care affects people following acute-care hospitalization. This study of an urban medical respite program used qualitative interviews with ten respite facility clients as its primary source of data. Additional descriptive information was obtained through a quantitative examination of client data (N = 103). Findings suggest that before hospitalization, patients utilizing respite care originate in unstable, tumultuous, and often violently dangerous environments. From clients' perspectives, it is therefore critically important that the studied aftercare program provides a predictably safe recuperative setting. Findings are discussed in terms of ontological security: By reducing homelessness and housing instability-related ontological insecurity-anxiety and feelings of ill-being caused by a lack of environmental constancy, privacy, and safety-both physical and mental health can improve.
Utilizing a resiliency-informed perspective and restorative approaches, the purpose of this work is to offer counterstories of marginalized women that center their strengths as well as capacities to create and highlights the importance of embodiment and imagination in the process of re-storying. The sample size ranged from 3 to 6 incarcerated women during each session, for 10 sessions in total, at the Santa Barbara County Jail, and the inquiry explored asked "How might imagination play a role in the prison industrial complex schema abolition as a liberatory possibility?" The Realms of ACEs' Adverse Childhood Experiences model (2023) was also utilized to contextualize the women's intergenerational traumas and experiences of oppression from a familial, community, and environmental level. With the dissemination of these findings, I hope to broaden the scope for who it reaches to offer alternative methodologies that could be used in other jails, environments, or conditions of imprisonment.
