Promoting Mental Well Being Among Migrants: A Strengths Based Group Intervention
1
Cultural Diversity, Service System, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
2
Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States
3
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
4
Work Against Violence, Safety and Protection, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2613
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Migrants are often more vulnerable to psychological symptoms and disorders. In addition to recognizing and treating mental health problems, it is necessary to strengthen mental well-being and prevention. Most mental well-being interventions have been developed for Western populations and may not be directly transferable to culturally diverse populations. This study describes the preliminary results of a culturally adapted mental well-being intervention for adult migrants.
METHODS:
A strengths-based psychoeducational group model, previously shown to improve mental well-being, stress management skills, and self-efficacy among majority populations, was culturally reviewed, adapted, and piloted among adult migrants (n=12) in the specialized social services for migrants at the City of Helsinki, Finland. This culturally adapted version, co-developed with migrants, has six weekly sessions with an interpreter. Every session has one or two topics grounded in positive psychology and designed to promote well being and reduce stress.
RESULTS:
Preliminary analyses are based on data from 12 participants across four separate groups representing Ukrainian, Somali, Arabic, and Dari language groups. Participants completed the selected measures before (pre) and immediately after (post) the intervention. Based on the responses of the first 12 participants, we observed an increase in positive mental health (WEMWBS 7: pre 22.25, post 27.25; n=12) and resilience (DC RISC 10: pre 21.75, post 28; n=12) as well as a decrease in anxiety symptoms (GAD 7:pre 8.36, post 7.27; n=11). Some responses were missing, and statistical analyses were therefore not possible. Participant feedback indicated that the intervention was perceived as useful and valuable, and the sessions were reported to have positively supported their mental well-being.
CONCLUSIONS:
Descriptive analyses suggest positive trends from pre- to post- measurement across most indicators. According to the measures well-being, self-efficacy, and resilience increased, while symptoms of anxiety decreased. The intervention demonstrated good acceptability, reflected in the positive feedback from participants.
Migrants are often more vulnerable to psychological symptoms and disorders. In addition to recognizing and treating mental health problems, it is necessary to strengthen mental well-being and prevention. Most mental well-being interventions have been developed for Western populations and may not be directly transferable to culturally diverse populations. This study describes the preliminary results of a culturally adapted mental well-being intervention for adult migrants.
METHODS:
A strengths-based psychoeducational group model, previously shown to improve mental well-being, stress management skills, and self-efficacy among majority populations, was culturally reviewed, adapted, and piloted among adult migrants (n=12) in the specialized social services for migrants at the City of Helsinki, Finland. This culturally adapted version, co-developed with migrants, has six weekly sessions with an interpreter. Every session has one or two topics grounded in positive psychology and designed to promote well being and reduce stress.
RESULTS:
Preliminary analyses are based on data from 12 participants across four separate groups representing Ukrainian, Somali, Arabic, and Dari language groups. Participants completed the selected measures before (pre) and immediately after (post) the intervention. Based on the responses of the first 12 participants, we observed an increase in positive mental health (WEMWBS 7: pre 22.25, post 27.25; n=12) and resilience (DC RISC 10: pre 21.75, post 28; n=12) as well as a decrease in anxiety symptoms (GAD 7:pre 8.36, post 7.27; n=11). Some responses were missing, and statistical analyses were therefore not possible. Participant feedback indicated that the intervention was perceived as useful and valuable, and the sessions were reported to have positively supported their mental well-being.
CONCLUSIONS:
Descriptive analyses suggest positive trends from pre- to post- measurement across most indicators. According to the measures well-being, self-efficacy, and resilience increased, while symptoms of anxiety decreased. The intervention demonstrated good acceptability, reflected in the positive feedback from participants.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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