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Problem Street-involved youth experience many barriers to accessing health and social services. There is a literature gap in the literature regarding evidence-based interventions to facilitate engagement with street-involved youth. Methods A qualitative descriptive study of preliminary findings from a large mixed-methods study was undertaken to assess the impact of a resilience-based motivational intervention. This intervention was grounded in frameworks including strengths-based and resilience-based communication using the Seven C's Model of Resilience, positive youth development, and motivational interviewing that are particularly relevant to youth. Individual interviews were conducted with two subsets of youth who participated ( n = 3) or did not participate ( n = 3) in the intervention. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes between the intervention and comparison groups. Findings Preliminary themes identified across the sample include (1) establishing a trusting relationship, (2) strengthening self-worth and resilience, (3) focusing on goals, and (4) perceiving a sense of hope and possibility. Conclusions The themes identified the importance of positive relationships with care providers built upon a foundation of trust to engage youth to remain motivated and focused on their goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PROBLEM: Street-involved youth experience a range of mental health problems with elevated rates of psychiatric disorders compared with non-homeless youth. The overall objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a relationship-based intervention for homeless youth receiving services from agencies in downtown Toronto. METHODS: The final sample included 15 homeless youth who met the study inclusion criteria. The intervention and comparison groups were compared at baseline and post-treatment on measures of mental health symptoms, hopelessness, self-esteem, resilience, and social connectedness. FINDINGS: Participants receiving the intervention demonstrated a significant improvement in social connectedness, with a trend toward decreased hopelessness. Those participants who did not receive the intervention did not demonstrate any improvements in social connectedness and hopelessness. CONCLUSION: This preliminary pilot study suggests that providing a relationship-based intervention to street-involved youth may offer promise to strengthen social relationships and to mitigate overwhelming hopelessness and despair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PROBLEM: Controlled trials have demonstrated that parents of children experiencing high levels of aggression benefit greatly from parent training programs. Several programs have shown a decrease in parental stress, an increase in parental confidence, and higher levels of prosocial behavior in children as shown by outcomes based on quantitative measures. However, less attention has been paid to the views and experiences of parents themselves about the impact of such programs on themselves, their children, and their parent–child relationships. METHODS: The purpose of this qualitative study was to elicit and explore parents’ perceptions of the effectiveness of the Incredible Years Parent Training Program. Following their participation in the Incredible Years Program, 37 parents completed a semistructured interview and completed demographic questionnaires. Data were analyzed employing a content analysis of the transcripts and descriptive statistics of the demographic data. FINDINGS: Parents strongly valued the support offered within the group therapy process, reporting a decrease in their stress levels, an increase in their confidence, as well as observing positive changes in their children and in the parent–child relationship. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this research illuminate possible underlying mechanisms for these observed changes. Specifically, when parents feel accepted, supported, and not blamed by healthcare professionals, they seem to be able to engage in self-reflection specifically related to their parenting styles. In turn, their ability to reflect in the group and make sense of their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors seems to have a positive influence on the process of change in themselves, their children, and in their relationships with their children and other family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]