A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Psychosocial school-based intervention among adolescents with migrant and native backgrounds: Effectiveness and experiences
Authors: Punamäki, Raija-Leena; Soye, Emma; Kankaanpää, Reeta; Mohammadi, Leila; Vänskä, Mervi; Aalto, Sanni; Watters, Charles; Derluyn, Ilse; Verelst, An; Peltonen, Kirsi
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Applied Developmental Science
ISSN: 1088-8691
eISSN: 1532-480X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2025.2596583
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: No Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2025.2596583
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202601221745
Positive social relationships are essential for supporting adolescents in multicultural schools. This preregistered study quantitatively examined the effectiveness of the Peer Integration and Enhancement Resource (PIER), a school-based psychosocial intervention, in increasing adolescents' social capital; it also qualitatively analyzed teachers' experiences of the PIER. Adolescents with migrant backgrounds and those with native backgrounds were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups in England (N = 108) and Finland (N = 370). Indicators of social capital, e.g. peer relationship quality, sense of belonging, and prosocial behavior, were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and at follow-up. The quantitative results demonstrated that the PIER did not significantly improve adolescents' social capital. The qualitative analyses of the teachers' focus group discussions identified four main themes: emotional support through experiential processes, security created through exercises, identity building through exploration, and connection through group dynamics. Tailoring the intervention to meet adolescents' needs would improve its effectiveness.
Funding information in the publication:
The research was carried out as part of the RefugeesWellSchool (RWS) project "Preventive school-based interventions to promote the mental well-being of refugee and migrant adolescents." The RWS project has received funding from the European Union's 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 754849.