Building resilience in transcultural adults: investigating the effect of a strength-based programme

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: The current study used a mixed-method approach to evaluate the effect of Building Resilience in Transcultural Adults programme (BRiTA), a strength-based preventative intervention developed by Queensland Transcultural Mental Health Centre (QTMHC), on the acculturation and resilience of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) adults from migrant background. QTMHC, as a part of their services, train facilitators to execute this programme in a range of community settings. Method: CALD individuals, from migrant background, attended the programme at community centres and organisations. They completed a demographic form, scale that measured their acculturation and resilience pre and post intervention and open-ended questions about each session at the end of the sessions. Facilitators of the programme also recorded their observations. Results: Quantitative data and qualitative feedback, were collected from every BRiTA programme run from 2012 to 2017. Paired T-Test indicated that the CALD migrant sample (N = 192) showed a significant self-reported increase in their acculturation and resilience levels after completing the BRiTA futures programme. Thematic analysis of the participants’ comments after every session indicated that they found the programme relevant, helpful, and enjoyable. Conclusions: The findings illustrate the benefits of the preventative BRiTA programme and the role it can play in promoting CALD migrant’s wellbeing and integration in Australia. Implications and future directions are discussed. Key Points What is already known about this topic: (1) Migrants have to acculturate to their new relocated country, which can be stressful. (2) Preventative programmes can promote the acculturation and wellbeing of migrants. (3) Building resilience in transcultural adults and parents (BRiTA) is one of the preventative group programmes. What this paper adds: (1) BRiTA can positively affect the acculturation and resilience of those who attend this programme. (2) It can be delivered in different languages to different ethnic groups. (3) It can be used successfully in community settings.