A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Psychosocial school-based intervention among adolescents with migrant and native backgrounds: Effectiveness and experiences




AuthorsPunamäki, Raija-Leena; Soye, Emma; Kankaanpää, Reeta; Mohammadi, Leila; Vänskä, Mervi; Aalto, Sanni; Watters, Charles; Derluyn, Ilse; Verelst, An; Peltonen, Kirsi

PublisherInforma UK Limited

Publication year2025

Journal: Applied Developmental Science

ISSN1088-8691

eISSN1532-480X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2025.2596583

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingNo 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 addresshttps://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202601221745


Abstract

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.


Last updated on 18/02/2026 02:52:16 PM