A Pilot Study of a Psychoeducational Group Intervention Delivered at Asylum Accommodation Centers—A Mixed Methods Approach

Anna Leiler, Elisabet Wasteson, Joanna Holmberg and Anna Bjärtå
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Anna Leiler: Institution of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden
Elisabet Wasteson: Institution of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden
Joanna Holmberg: Institution of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden
Anna Bjärtå: Institution of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-20

Abstract: Asylum seekers suffer high levels of distress but have restricted access to mental health care. This paper constitutes an evaluation of a psycho-educational group intervention, called AMIN, which was provided at two asylum accommodation centers in Sweden. A mixed-methods approach was used. To assess potential effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility, quantitative outcome measures were combined with qualitative information from interviews with both intervention participants and staff providing the intervention. Potential effectiveness in reducing symptoms of distress and insomnia and in increasing physical quality of life was found, even though the intervention participants suffered from more severe distress than expected. In general, the intervention seemed to be acceptable to both participants and staff, with concrete strategies seeming more meaningful than abstract psychological techniques. Finally, regardless of the asylum process itself being a complicating factor, the intervention seemed feasible to deliver to individuals with different backgrounds and conditions. Taken together, these results indicate that some sessions may need further elaboration, but also that the transition to a randomized control trial is reasonable.

Keywords: asylum seekers; mental health; pilot study; psychoeducation; psychosocial intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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