Piloting Resilience Focused Mental Health Intervention (Weyera) With Ethiopian and Eritrean Youth
Emory University
Summary
This study aims to pilot a group-level intervention focused on mental health and resilience among Ethiopian and Eritrean youth. The study follows previous work that showed high rates of mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)) among Ethiopian and Eritrean youth in Atlanta. The goal is to determine the acceptability, feasibility, and safety of this culturally relevant group-level intervention before a larger trial to improve resilience processes that support mental wellness in a community-based setting.
Description
The goal of this study is to develop and pilot test a Wellness: Ethiopian/Eritrean Youth Exploring Resilience and Awareness (Weyera), mental health-focused, culturally targeted, group-level intervention. This intervention aims to provide psychoeducation, develop coping skills, and create a space for open discussion. The study will use a waitlist control design, recruiting participants randomly assigned to either the intervention or control (delayed intervention) group. Participants will attend 8 weekly sessions (\~2 hours each) that include psychoeducation, interactive activities, and coping…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–29 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 29 years old * Ethiopian and/or Eritrean ethnicity by self-report * Able to read and understand English * Resident of Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area * Available and interested to participate in 2-hour weekly sessions over 8 weeks and complete relevant surveys Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 18 or \> 29 years old * Unwilling or unable to provide informed consent. * Not a resident of the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area
Interventions
- BehavioralWeyera Intervention
Weyera intervention is an eight-week program featuring weekly, two-hour facilitated group sessions with 6-10 participants in each group, led by trained lay facilitators. Each session will address the weekly topic and introduce an evidence-based coping strategy (e.g., mindfulness, positive refocusing) that participants can practice over the following week. Within this outline, we will create intervention activities based on theory-based change methods and practical applications matched to objectives and determinants in the Logic Model of Change. Outline of major modules for the eight weeks: 1. Introduction to mental health 2. Stress and family pressure 3. Self-exploration and critical reflection 4. Intersectional Identities 5. Family Relationships 6. Discussing mental health in the Ethiopian and Eritrean communities 7. Trauma and Abuse 8. Navigating mental health services
- BehavioralDelayed intervention (waitlist control)
Wait-list control participants will be assigned to a group for initiation of the full intervention beginning at month 4 after their enrollment (i.e., beginning after they, and their corresponding intervention group, have completed their intervention and two follow-up surveys). Wait-list control participants will complete surveys at enrollment (baseline), 2 months (pre-intervention), 4 months (pre-intervention), 6 months (immediate post-intervention), and 8 months (post-intervention).
Locations (3)
- Rollins School of Public HealthAtlanta, Georgia
- Ethiopian Community Association In AtlantaClarkston, Georgia
- Eritrean-American Community Association of GeorgiaStone Mountain, Georgia