Implementation of a Family Skills Programme in Internally Displaced People Camps in Kachin State, Myanmar

Children that are forcibly displaced are more likely to experience mental health and behavioural challenges than non-displaced populations, including increased risk of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Building appropriate parenting skills to strengthen the relationships between caregivers and their children in times of war is key to building resilience in children. There is a lack of research on the role of family skill interventions in internally displaced people (IDP). The aim of this study was to assess the potential change in parenting skills, child mental health, and resilience capacity in families living in IDP camps in Kachin State, Myanmar, after taking part in a brief family skill intervention, Strong Families.

An open, multi-site pilot feasibility and acceptability trial was conducted with 100 families. Outcome data were collected prospectively, assessing changes in parenting skills and family adjustment in caregivers, children's behaviour, and children's resilience capacities. Families were assessed using three scales, Parenting and Family Adjustment Scales (PAFAS), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-R).

Despite being a light intervention, Strong Families produced improvements in the child mental health, parenting practices, and parent and family adjustment skills scales. Improvements were observed in scores particularly for caregivers and children with greater challenges at baseline.

The results positively value the importance and feasibility of family skill interventions being integrated into the routine care of IDP families. This advocates for the prioritisation of using such tools for supporting better family functioning and mental health in humanitarian contexts.