Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Clinical Trial
Abstract: This study developed and pilot tested a transdiagnostic family intervention for urban refugee families in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to evidence-based mental health services using a task-sharing approach. A family support design team designed the low-intensity family support (LIFS) model, trained facilitators and oversaw implementation. The model was piloted with 70 Syrian refugee families (n = 111 adolescents and n = 104 adults) recruited from six community-based organizations in Istanbul. Measures on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing were collected at baseline, and post-intervention at 1 month and 3 months after baseline. A mixed methods design assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of the LIFS model. General psychological distress and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) decreased significantly for adults and adolescents. Among adults, attitudes regarding mental health and satisfaction with parenting significantly improved. Family comfort discussing distress mediated the intervention’s impact on psychological distress and PTSD. Qualitative findings identified benefits resulting from participation in the LIFS intervention, especially increased emotional regulation, knowledge of mental health, mental health help-seeking and family communication. Results indicated that the LIFS model was feasible, acceptable and potentially efficacious in decreasing psychological distress and PTSD in adolescent and adult urban refugees.
Language: English
Topic: Migration, Health and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,893
Award: G7079010392
OpenAlex ID: W7140163580
FWCI:
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