Internet-Based Prevention of Re-Victimization for Youth with Care Experience (EMPOWER-YOUTH): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Birgit Wagner (), Olivia Lucia Marie Emmerich and Betteke Maria van Noort
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Birgit Wagner: Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, 14197 Berlin, Germany
Olivia Lucia Marie Emmerich: Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, 14197 Berlin, Germany
Betteke Maria van Noort: Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, 14197 Berlin, Germany

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-13

Abstract: Traumatic experiences and maltreatment are highly prevalent among adolescents in foster or institutional care and have severe long-term effects on mental health. Childhood maltreatment increases the risk of revictimization. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the internet-based prevention program EMPOWER YOUTH in reducing victimization experiences among youth with care experience. A total of 163 youth, that is, adolescents in foster or institutional care, adopted adolescents, or young care leavers aged 14 to 21 years ( M age = 17.68 years; SD = 2.11) were randomized to the six-module guided program or a wait-list control group. The primary endpoint was the decrease in victimization experiences at an 18-week follow-up. Secondary endpoints included risk perception, aggressive tendencies, empathy, prosocial behavior, depressiveness, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and loneliness. About half of the youth exhibited increased psychopathology. No significant interaction between time-point and group was found for victimization measures, though both groups saw a significant reduction over time ( p = 0.012, η p 2 = 0.06; p = 0.017, η p 2 = 0.06). The intervention group showed a significant increase in perception of thrill-seeking and rebellious risks ( p = 0.036, η p 2 = 0.04; p = 0.026, η p 2 = 0.05). While EMPOWER YOUTH effectively increased risk perception of thrill-seeking and rebellious behaviors, it should be considered an add-on to more intensive interventions for common mental health disorders in this vulnerable group, rather than a stand-alone online program.

Keywords: youth with care experience; foster care; victimization; prevention; internet-based; PTSD; depression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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