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.
  • a University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
  • b University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
  • 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.

Author Keywords

Immigrant Mental health School intervention HLM Practice-based evidence Refugee

Index Keywords

New Jersey Interpersonal Relations mental health service psychological aspect human Evidence-Based Practice Cultural Competency Mental Health Services cultural competence human relation United States evidence based practice School Health Services Humans Adolescent school health service male Emigrants and Immigrants female Outcome Assessment (Health Care) Article program evaluation migration health care quality posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic outcome assessment Child

Link
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