Developing a Strengths-based Intervention for Foster Youth: Mixed-Methods Pilot of FMHC.
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| Title: | Developing a Strengths-based Intervention for Foster Youth: Mixed-Methods Pilot of FMHC. |
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| Authors: | Meyer, Marisol L.1 (AUTHOR) marisol.l.meyer@gmail.com |
| Source: | Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal. Apr2026, Vol. 43 Issue 2, p373-386. 14p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Psychotherapy, *Cultural awareness, *Emotion regulation, *Mental health services, *Human services programs, *Autonomy (Psychology), *Focus groups, *Foster home care, *Group psychotherapy, *Psychological adaptation, *Decision making, *Motivation (Psychology), *Research methodology, *Ability, *Health promotion, *Training, Mental health, Research funding, Self-efficacy, Evaluation of human services programs, Pilot projects, Statistical sampling, Thematic analysis, Social integration, Conceptual structures, Self-consciousness (Awareness), Social support, Psychology of foster children, Self-perception, Group process |
| Geographic Terms: | Florida |
| Abstract: | Despite extensive documentation that youth in foster care are at higher risk for poor mental health outcomes, they often struggle to access acceptable (e.g., high-quality, culturally responsive) mental and behavioral health programs. This study describes the development of a strengths-based group mental health prevention program called Fireside Mental Health Chats (FMHC) designed for youth in foster care. This paper first describes the process for utilizing program evaluation tools to develop a manual tailored to this population's unique needs. The process for selecting malleable determinants of mental health, intervention mechanisms, and hypothesized pathways of change are explored. Then, this paper describes initial acceptability pre-testing findings from an explanatory mixed methods pilot study. Data integration from quantitative and qualitative data revealed that youth in foster care (N = 13) attributed increases in psychological empowerment and self-realization to participation in the FMHC program. Moreover, unique dimensions of the program, such as mechanisms to promote youth self-efficacy are discussed in detail, as they may be useful to applied researchers and practitioners working with youth in foster care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | Despite extensive documentation that youth in foster care are at higher risk for poor mental health outcomes, they often struggle to access acceptable (e.g., high-quality, culturally responsive) mental and behavioral health programs. This study describes the development of a strengths-based group mental health prevention program called Fireside Mental Health Chats (FMHC) designed for youth in foster care. This paper first describes the process for utilizing program evaluation tools to develop a manual tailored to this population's unique needs. The process for selecting malleable determinants of mental health, intervention mechanisms, and hypothesized pathways of change are explored. Then, this paper describes initial acceptability pre-testing findings from an explanatory mixed methods pilot study. Data integration from quantitative and qualitative data revealed that youth in foster care (N = 13) attributed increases in psychological empowerment and self-realization to participation in the FMHC program. Moreover, unique dimensions of the program, such as mechanisms to promote youth self-efficacy are discussed in detail, as they may be useful to applied researchers and practitioners working with youth in foster care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 07380151 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s10560-025-01022-0 |
