Speakers
Description
Authors: Fatumo Osman (School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Sweden), Giovanni Aresi (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore), Hasnaa Amouri (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Layan Amouri (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Lucia Jiménez Garcia (University of Seville, Spain), Maja Västhagen (Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden), Metin Özdemir (Örebro University), Sandra Altebo Nyathi (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Ata Ghaderi (Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden), Birgitta Kimber (Umeå University, Sweden), Brit Oppedal (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway), Daniela Marzana (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Centro di ricerca CERISVICO, Milano e Brescia, Italy), Elena Marta (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Centro di ricerca CERISVICO, Milano e Brescia, Italy), Martina Mutti (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Centro di ricerca CERISVICO, Milano e Brescia, Italy), Pia Enebrink (Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden), Sevgi Batram Özdemir (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden)
Chair: Metin Özdemir
Co-chair: Giovanni Aresi
Discussant: Lucía Jiménez
Integrative Summary
The prevailing approach in basic psychological and prevention research on youth and parents with immigration backgrounds is deficit-based. This model focuses on mental health and psychological symptoms. This symposium aims to shift the focus from deficit-based models to strengths-based perspectives, highlighting effective interventions and strategies.
The symposium aims to explore and promote strengths-based approaches to enhance the adjustment and well-being of immigrant and refugee families. The presentations will address a range of subjects related to this theme, including mentoring, social inclusion, emotional development, parenting programs, and culturally tailored interventions.
The first presentation provides an overview of the current literature and discusses the potential benefits of adopting strengths-based approaches in developing interventions for immigrants and refugees. The second paper presents a systematic review of studies focusing on mentoring programs for refugees in high-income countries. The third paper presents findings from a qualitative study with participants of a strengths-based promotion program targeting recently settled adolescents. The fourth paper reports findings from a randomized controlled trial of a brief parenting program for recently settled parents of adolescents. The last presentation discusses the implementation and findings from two culturally tailored parenting support programs for immigrant families. The presenters include both senior and junior researchers from four different universities in Italy and Sweden.
Collectively, these presentations pose a challenge to prevailing views on immigrant and refugee youth, offering alternative approaches to studying their development and adjustment. By embracing a more comprehensive understanding, the field can progress towards a more inclusive and insightful research agenda.
Abstract 1
Beyond Deficit Models: Strengths-Based Perspectives on Studying Youth and Families with Immigration background
Metin Özdemir (Associate Professor of Psychology, Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Sandra Altebo Nyathi (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Layan Amouri (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Hasnaa Amouri (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden)
In societal discourse and academic research, individuals with immigration backgrounds are often portrayed as vulnerable and at risk. The term "risk" includes internalizing and externalizing issues such as poor mental health and adjustment difficulties. Despite increasing research on resilience and strengths-based approaches, psychological and prevention research remains focused on deficits. For instance, a keyword search on the Web of Science database for peerreviewed publications revealed that approximately 25% of studies on immigrant children and
adolescents focused on some form of risk, while only around 3% listed resilience or strength as keywords.
Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses demonstrated that interventions for individuals with immigrant backgrounds predominantly focused on mental health. Although mental health challenges may be more prevalent among individuals with immigrant backgrounds compared to
the majority population, especially with those who experienced displacement and trauma, mental health support represents only one aspect of the broader spectrum of psychosocial needs among those with immigration experience.
Building on this background, we will first provide an overview of current research and the portrayal of youth and families with immigration backgrounds. Following this, we will discuss the shortcomings of deficit-based approaches in prevention research. Finally, we will propose a contextualized developmental approach that may facilitate the development and implementation of strengths-based approaches to promote adjustment and well-being of immigrants and refugees.
In summary, this paper aims to challenge the prevailing negative discourse about immigrant youth and parents as vulnerable and at-risk. Instead, the paper will discuss how a strengths-based
approach may move prevention research targeting these groups forward, while also helping overcome the negative portrayal of immigrants and refugees as inherently at-risk.
Abstract 2
Mentoring for Social Inclusion with Refugees in the Post-Migration Context in HighIncome Countries: A Scoping Review
Giovanni Aresi (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Centro di ricerca CERISVICO, Milano e Brescia, Italy), Martina Mutti (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Centro di ricerca CERISVICO, Milano e Brescia, Italy), Daniela Marzana (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Centro di ricerca CERISVICO, Milano e Brescia, Italy), Elena Marta (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Centro di ricerca CERISVICO, Milano e Brescia, Italy), Oscar Prieto Flores (University of Girona, Girona, Spain)
Introduction: Mentoring has emerged as a potentially effective strategy for promoting the integration and social inclusion of refugees in host societies. This social intervention fosters the development of meaningful relationships between a mentor, typically a volunteer, and a mentee from a disadvantaged background or in transition to a new social or cultural environment. However, mentoring with refugees has received comparatively little attention from scholars.
Aim and methods: The objective of this scoping review was to map and assess the nature and characteristics of studies that have reported on formal social mentoring with refugees in the postmigration context in high-income countries. A search strategy was implemented in three
databases (Scopus, Psychinfo, and Web of Science). A comprehensive review of studies published in English since 2015 (i.e., the refugee crisis) was conducted, with a particular focus on the type of publication and characteristics of the mentoring program and, where applicable, its evaluation study. The review protocol is available in the Open Science Framework database (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/R6MSN).
Results: Preliminary searches identified 189 publications, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. The included publications report the results of qualitative or quantitative studies and, to a lesser
extent, mixed methods studies. Studies focus on specific aspects of mentoring programs (e.g., characteristics of the mentor-mentee relationship) or describe implementation with subgroups of the refugee population (e.g., unaccompanied minors). Few studies have been conducted to assess the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting social inclusion and other health outcomes among refugees.
Conclusions: This scoping review provides a mapping of key concepts and empirical findings related to mentoring programs with refugees. It also provides a comprehensive assessment of the methodologies employed and identifies gaps for future research.
Abstract 3
Facilitating Belonging and Integration: Exploring the PIA Youth Program’s Role in Social and Emotional Development Among Newly Arrived Youth
Layan Amouri (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Hasnaa Amouri (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Sandra Altebo Nyathi (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Metin Özdemir (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden)
Background: Adolescence is a period of identity development and relational growth. For newly arrived youth, this process is complicated by the overlapping challenges of migration, language learning, and psychosocial adjustment. While many interventions for this group focus on clinical or academic outcomes, fewer address everyday experiences that shape social belonging and emotional wellbeing. The PIA Youth Program responds to this gap as a universal, school-based, dialogue-driven intervention designed to support integration through experience sharing,reflection, and positive reinforcement.
Method: This presentation examines 19 semi-structured qualitative interviews with newly arrived adolescents (aged 14–16) who participated in the PIA Program, exploring their experiences of its impact on their social, emotional, and communicative development.
Results: Using thematic analysis of in-depth interviews, key themes were identified as Language and communication skill development, Development of behavior, Emotional and social skills and Importance of leadership. Youth described sessions as safe and enjoyable spaces where they could speak without fear of judgment, reflect on identity and social norms, and enhance confidence. Participants emphasized that relatable texts, meaningful discussions, and a supportive facilitator helped them build emotional resilience, social courage, and communicative skills. They described increased perspective-taking, better understanding of cultural differences, and stronger abilities to handle social uncertainty. Expressed challenges included fear of mistakes, unfamiliar group settings, and linguistic barriers, especially among those less confident in Swedish or their mother tongue. Youth suggested improvements such as simplified language, visual materials, and more interactive and flexible session formats.
Discussion: Findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive dialogical spaces in schools to support integration beyond academic achievements. Findings highlight the value of incorporating culturally representative role models who serve as facilitators, using culturally responsive practices, and providing flexible interventions. These facilitators help foster reflection and connection, making the PIA Youth Program a meaningful contributor to participants’ integration journey.
Abstract 4
The Effectiveness of a Universal Parenting Program for Immigrants in Sweden: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
Maja Västhagen (Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden), Pia Enebrink (Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden), Birgitta Kimber (Umeå University, Sweden), Ata Ghaderi (Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden), Sevgi Bayram Özdemir (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden), Brit Oppedal, Ph.D., (Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway), Metin Özdemir (Center for Lifespan Development Research, Örebro University, Sweden)
Background: Immigrant parents face significant stressors in the post-migration context, yet they lack equitable access to health-promoting and preventive interventions, such as parenting programs. These programs have been proposed as means to support the remarkable resilience demonstrated by immigrant parents during resettlement. This cluster randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of a brief parenting program delivered in a community setting to recently settled immigrant parents. The program aimed to strengthen the parent-child relationship and communication, enhance parental efficacy in supporting children’s schooling, and promote resilience, optimism, a sense of societal belonging, and overall mental health and well-being.
Methods: From 2024 to 2025, a four-session intervention was conducted across multiple Swedish municipalities, delivered in Arabic, Dari, and Somali by trained bilingual group leaders. The program targeted parents who arrived in Sweden after 2015, had at least one child aged 10-18, and spoke one of the included languages. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (92 parents in 13 clusters) or the wait-list control group (40 parents in 7 clusters) after baseline data collection. Latent Change Models were employed to assess changes in outcomes.
Results: The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in resilience (β = .17, p = .026) and efficacy in supporting their child's education (β = .42, p = .005) compared to the
control group. Notably, parents who initially exhibited higher levels of mental symptoms, lower well-being, and rated lower on parent-child relationship quality showed greater benefits from the program. Many parents across all language groups had limited or no formal education.
Discussion: This study highlights the benefits of a brief, universal parenting program delivered in the mother tongue for strengthening parents' perceived resilience and efficacy in supporting their child's schooling in a new cultural context. These findings may be of interest to practitioners working with immigrants, researchers, and policymakers.
Abstract 5
Tailoring parenting support programmes for immigrant Families: Impact on mental health and parent-child relationships
Fatumo Osman (School of Health and Welfare, Dalarna University, Sweden)
Families forcibly displaced by violence, war, and conflict often face substantial pre-displacement trauma and post-migration acculturative stress, including navigating unfamiliar social norms and encountering systemic racism and discrimination. Despite bringing valuable skills and
experiences to their host countries, immigrant parents frequently struggle with acculturative stressors that can undermine their parental self-efficacy and hinder their ability or willingness to seek parenting support. Strengthening the parental role is critical, as research consistently highlights the importance of empowering immigrant parents to facilitate integration, enhance parent-child relationships, and promote mental health.
A substantial body of evidence demonstrates that parenting support programmes can effectively improve mental health outcomes for both parents and children, strengthen parenting skills, and foster positive parent-child relationships. However, access to such programmes remains uneven, and many initiatives lack the cultural sensitivity necessary to engage immigrant families facing additional challenges.
This presentation will describe the implementation of two culturally adapted parenting support programmes—Connect and the International Child Development Programme (ICDP)—delivered within community settings and Swedish language schools for immigrants (SFI). The Connect programme has demonstrated moderate to large, sustained improvements in children's and
parents' mental health and has proven to be cost-effective. Preliminary findings from the ICDP also indicate enhancements in parental self-efficacy and family relationships.
In conclusion, culturally tailored parenting support programmes are crucial for promoting the mental health of both children and parents in immigrant families. Additionally, offering these programmes across diverse community settings is essential to increase their accessibility and impact.
| Conflict of interest | The authors declare no conflict of interest. |
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