American Journal of Community Psychology
Volume 50, Issue 1-2, 2012, Pages 155-168
The Effectiveness of Cultural Adjustment and Trauma Services (CATS): Generating Practice-Based Evidence on a Comprehensive, School-Based Mental Health Intervention for Immigrant Youth (Article)
Beehler S.* ,
Birman D. ,
Campbell R.
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a
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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b
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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c
International Institute of New Jersey, Jersey City, NJ, United States
Abstract
A collaborative study of Cultural Adjustment and Trauma Services (CATS), a comprehensive, school-based mental health program for traumatized immigrant children and adolescents, was conducted to generate practice-based evidence on the service delivery model across two school districts. Program effectiveness was assessed by testing whether client functioning and PTSD symptoms improved as a result of 7 separate service elements. An array of clinical services including CBT, supportive therapy, and coordinating services were provided to all students, and an evidence-based intervention for trauma, TF-CBT, was implemented with a subset of students. Greater quantities of CBT and supportive therapy increased functioning, while greater quantities of coordinating services decreased symptoms of PTSD. TF-CBT services were associated with both improved functioning and PTSD symptoms, although TF-CBT was implemented with fidelity to the overall comprehensive service model rather than the structured intervention model. Results suggest the comprehensive school-based model was effective, though different service components affected different student outcomes. Implications of these findings for immigrant mental health interventions and implementing structured evidence-based practices into community mental health programs are discussed. Suggestions are made for future research on existing mental health practices with immigrants. © 2011 Society for Community Research and Action.
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https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84864567689&doi=10.1007%2fs10464-011-9486-2&partnerID=40&md5=856e961a8a71364a1c91034a63f598da
DOI: 10.1007/s10464-011-9486-2
ISSN: 00910562
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English