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Supporting Youth and Families in Gaza: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Family-Based Intervention Program

Author

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  • Laura E. Miller-Graff

    (Psychology and Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, 107 Haggar Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA)

  • E. Mark Cummings

    (Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, 118 Haggar Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA)

Abstract

Background: A total of 450 million children are now living in active conflict zones. The negative consequences for children are significant and long lasting. In response to the urgent need for sustainable interventions for children and families, the current study evaluated a brief (12 hr, 8 session) family-based coping and support program, Promoting Positive Family Futures (PPFF), in Gaza. Methods: Families ( n = 68, mother/father/adolescent triads) were randomized into the PPFF intervention or another lengthier (50 hr, 25 session) locally well-established psychosocial support program (treatment as usual; TAU). Results: Improvements were found for both conditions for paternal and maternal depression, emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal, family-wide emotional security, and adolescent adjustment. Effect sizes were medium to large ( d = 0.35–1.27). Fathers in the PPFF condition reported lower depression and higher emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal at post-test than did fathers in the TAU condition. Mothers in the PPFF condition reported higher levels of emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal at post-test than did mothers in the TAU condition. PPFF was also indirectly associated with improved depression at post-test for both mothers and fathers via improvements in emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal and with adolescent adjustment at six months via improvements in maternal emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the PPFF intervention has many benefits comparable with a longer and locally well-established program. PPFF was also associated with unique positive implications for family-wide adjustment over time. Support was also identified for transdiagnostic processes of improvement associated with the PPPF intervention consistent with the theoretical models informing the approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura E. Miller-Graff & E. Mark Cummings, 2022. "Supporting Youth and Families in Gaza: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Family-Based Intervention Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8337-:d:858225
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A.A. Thabet & D. Stretch & P. Vostanis, 2000. "Child Mental Health Problems in Arab Children: Application of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 46(4), pages 266-280, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bethany Wentz & Laura E. Miller-Graff & Christine E. Merrilees & E. Mark Cummings, 2023. "A Developmental Psychopathology Perspective on Political Violence and Youth Adjustment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-8, May.
    2. Manisha Shah & Sarah Baird & Jennifer Seager & Benjamin Avuwadah & Joan Hamory & Shwetlena Sabarwal & Amita Vyas, 2024. "Improving Mental Health of Adolescent Girls in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Causal Evidence from Life Skills Programming," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(S), pages 317-364.

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