Study Protocol for the SC-SD4ASA Project: A Self-Care/Self-Development Guidebook for Asylum-Seeking Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Psychology
• Migration Studies

Background:

• Over 1.3 million refugees, many children, arrived in Europe between 2015-2016.
• Adolescence combined with forced migration increases psychological risks for refugee youth.
• There is a growing need for effective health interventions for asylum-seeking adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a self-care and self-development intervention guidebook for asylum-seeking adolescents aged 15-18.
• The long-term goal is to improve the overall wellbeing and quality of life for this population.
• The project aims to empower adolescents with skills for better health management.

Main Methods:

• A multi-method study focusing on three work packages: needs assessment, guidebook development, and assessment of guidebook properties.
• Qualitative methods including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and photovoice will be used for needs assessment.
• Meta-theme analysis, a cross-cultural approach, will analyze qualitative data; guidebook fidelity will follow the NIH Behavior Change Consortium framework.

Main Results:

• The first work package will assess needs and knowledge regarding self-care and self-development.
• The second work package focuses on creating the intervention guidebook based on assessed needs.
• The third work package will evaluate the guidebook's fidelity, reliability, and validity.

Conclusions:

• Empowering asylum-seeking adolescents with self-care and self-development skills is crucial for their wellbeing.
• A successfully implemented guidebook can support health promotion efforts for this vulnerable group.
• The developed guidebook can serve as a foundation for future self-care and self-development programs.