Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2024 Jun 29;10(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s40814-024-01520-5.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: New services are needed to prevent the mental health consequences of the war in Ukraine. Ten adolescents self-recruited to use and evaluate the Ukrainian version of the Helping Hand (HH) in Odesa, Ukraine. From April to June 2023, they participated in a 10-session group program where they played the cognitive behavioral game app, shared stories, and engaged in activities to enhance their coping skills.
METHODS: A mixed-method, quantitative-qualitative design was used to get insight into the feasibility and potential impact of the HH on Ukrainian adolescents’ mental health and well-being during the war. A questionnaire to the adolescents assessed the feasibility of the intervention; anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed before and after the intervention by a standardized and validated adolescent-completed questionnaire. An interview with the psychologist who implemented the intervention was used to interpret the data completed by the adolescents.
RESULTS: Eight of 10 adolescents completed the HH intervention, and the psychologist found the HH helpful and culturally appropriate. The average anxiety and depression symptoms decreased from before the intervention (M = 20.4) to after (M = 15.0), showing a moderate effect size.
CONCLUSION: The results indicated that the HH has a high potential to prevent mental health consequences in Ukraine.
PMID:38951948 | DOI:10.1186/s40814-024-01520-5
