Mixed Methods Data Research Articles

Enhancing Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion through Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration in Central Rift, Kenya

This paper examines how World Vision’s project “Central Rift Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration Scale-up project (CRIFSUP)” carried out between 2017 and 2021 used Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) approach and transformation power relations among farmers. The Study areas were Ndabibi in Nakuru County, Marigat in Baringo County, and Ng’oswet in Elgeyo Marakwet. Methodology adopted was mixed method approach and data collected using collective brainstorming sessions with communities, key informant interviews, Household questionnaire, focused group discussions for adults and children, and observation. Purposive sampling was employed to identify farmers to participate in focus group discussions and key informants. Apart from examining the field reports on this project, this study reviewed secondary related literature. The theory of change and agency and employed to how the implementation of FMNR created a conducive environment for the transformation of gender, disability and social inclusion. Enhancement of gender, disability and social inclusion is traced by examining the changes that transpired between the time the baseline report was conducted, CRIFSUP GESI Report and the end of term report. The focus is on decision making, time use, roles, responsibilities and economic empowerment. The findings showed that the time spent on collecting firewood was reduced to 30 minutes. Energy saving measures such as jikos and biogas were introduced by CRIFSUP. Savings for transformation groups enabled women and people with disabilities to access resources that enabled them to diversify their roles and engage in income generating activities such as bee keeping. However, mainstreaming gender, disability and social inclusion considerations has been partially successful, for instance land ownership and access is still heavily weighted towards men and this affects women access and use of trees. This influences the time women spend to look for firewood.

Applying Normalisation Process Theory to a peer-delivered complex health intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use

BackgroundThe Supporting Harm Reduction through Peer Support (SHARPS) study involved designing and implementing a peer-delivered, harm reduction intervention for people experiencing homelessness and problem substance use. Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) provided a framework for the study.MethodsFour Peer Navigators (individuals with personal experience of problem substance use and/or homelessness) were recruited and hosted in six third sector (not-for-profit) homelessness services in Scotland and England (United Kingdom). Each worked with participants to provide practical and emotional support, with the aim of reducing harms, and improving well-being, social functioning and quality of life. NPT guided the development of the intervention and, the process evaluation, which assessed the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention for this cohort who experience distinct, and often unmet, health challenges. While mixed-methods data collection was undertaken, this paper draws only on the qualitative data.ResultsThe study found that, overall, the intervention is feasible, and acceptable to, the intervention participants, the Peer Navigators and staff in host settings. Some challenges were encountered but these were outweighed by benefits. NPT is particularly useful in encouraging our team to focus on the relationship between different aspects of the intervention and context(s) and identify ways of maximising ‘fit’.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first application of NPT to this cohort, and specifically by non-clinicians (peers) in non-healthcare settings (homelessness services). Our application of NPT helped us to identify ways in which the intervention could be enhanced, with the key aim of improving the health/well-being of this underserved group.

Differential Costs of Raising Grandchildren on Older Mother-Adult Child Relations in Black and White Families.

Drawing from theories of affect, role strain and stress processes, we studied the impact of raising grandchildren on older mothers' relationships with the adult offspring whose children they raised, with particular attention to how these patterns differ by race and ethnicity. We used mixed-methods data collected from 531 older mothers regarding their relationships with 1935 of their adult children as part of the Within-Family Differences Study. Multilevel regression analyses showed that raising grandchildren was associated with greater mother-adult child closeness in Black families; however, in White families, raising grandchildren was associated with greater mother-adult child conflict. Qualitative analyses revealed that these differences could be explained by the tendency of Black grandmothers to emphasize positive aspects of raising grandchildren, compared to White grandmothers, who viewed raising grandchildren as demanding and who described their exchanges with their adult children as unequal. Overall, our findings reflect racial and ethnic differences in intergenerational solidarity.

An Analysis of Employee Recruitment Process and Employee Retention Strategy at Kennametal India Limited, Bengaluru

An Analysis of Employee Recruitment Process and Employee Retention Strategy at Kennametal India Limited" investigates two critical components of human resource management: the recruitment process and employee retention policies. The major purpose is to evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment processes and investigate the elements that influence employee retention, while also establishing a link between effective hiring and long-term employee loyalty. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and data analysis, to analyse various recruitment procedures, from candidate sourcing to onboarding, as well as retention measures such as remuneration, career progression prospects, and work-life balance. To analyse the research used a T- Test as a statistical tool. The research highlights strengths and flaws in current processes and makes actionable recommendations to improve recruitment and retention efforts. The findings are intended to add to Kennametal India Limited's human resource strategy, which are aligned with the company's aims of sustainable growth and employee engagement. Keywords: Employee Recruitment, Retention Strategy, Workforce Management, Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement, Work-life balance

Optimal time recommendation model for home appliances: HSB living lab + dishwasher study

This study investigates the effectiveness of an Optimal Time Recommendation model (OTR) in encouraging citizens to shift the usage of their home appliances, such as dishwasher to off-peak hours. The research was conducted at the HSB Living Lab + in Gothenburg city, involving 74 participants from diverse social groups, including students, one-person households, couples, and families with kids. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, and data from self-reporting QR-code or iPad-based web-interface. Participants were provided with personalised recommendations generated by the OTR model, which considered factors such as energy demand, grid load, electricity pricing and level of CO2. The recommendations aimed to assist users in identifying the optimal time slots for operating their home appliances during off-peak, motivated by the lower price, lower CO2 emission or both. Results indicated a positive response from participants across all social groups. Most participants reported an increased awareness of their energy consumption patterns and a willingness to adopt delay shifting practices. However, some frictions and obstacles to adopt shifting time of the behaviour were highlighted as well. The findings from this case study contribute to the existing knowledge on flexibility and Demand-Side Management (DSM). These findings can inform home appliances producers to increase the delay start function usability, policymakers to emphasise the eco-design of the white goods, and researchers in developing effective strategies to encourage energy conservation practices on a larger scale.

Delivering a South African mathematics mindset intervention via Social Networking Service (WhatsApp)

Growth mindset interventions delivered to mathematics students have resulted in improved mathematics performance in numerous countries in the global north. South African high school students consistently underperform on international measures of mathematics achievement. This study investigates whether a culturally adapted growth mindset intervention delivered on WhatsApp can make a significant difference to mathematics performance in South Africa. In addition, it investigates whether WhatsApp delivery is feasible and acceptable to high school participants. The intervention employed a combination of YouTube videos, text information and facilitated WhatsApp conversations and combined simplified information on neural plasticity, learning strategies, and growth mindset messaging. The intervention utilised a field-based, quasi-experimental design with 301 students, 160 in the experimental condition. Mixed-methods data were collected, including mathematics performance and mathematics mindsets tracked over 18 months and user engagement and feedback in the intervention. In mixed-effects linear regression, students receiving the intervention showed a significant change in their mathematics performance over time, controlling for baseline differences between the schools. WhatsApp was a well-accepted medium for delivering this intervention. This study adds to the understanding of behaviour change and the use of WhatsApp to deliver behaviour change interventions. The results underscore the importance of teaching study strategies alongside growth mindset content to equip students with the appropriate skills to act on their changed beliefs.

Music therapy Embedded in the Life Of Dementia Inpatient Care (MELODIC) to help manage distress: A mixed methods study protocol for co-designing a complex intervention

ABSTRACT Introduction Best practice guidelines state that psychosocial interventions should be the first line of treatment for people with dementia who are experiencing distress. However, little research explores psychosocial support for those experiencing the most complex symptoms of distress in inpatient mental health wards. Music therapy may reduce behaviours of distress and staff report it to be helpful, yet interventions are not common in the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, and the type and method of delivery vary. Methods and design This study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, will co-develop and pilot a standardised protocol and guide, MELODIC (Music Therapy Embedded in the Life Of Dementia Inpatient Care), for music therapy in NHS inpatient mental health dementia wards. Two reviews, using realist and systematic methods, will be conducted to increase understanding of the current evidence base. Focus groups will then be facilitated to explore experiences of distress and the use of music on wards. MELODIC v1 will then be co-designed with experts by experience and stakeholders, and piloted on two NHS wards with differing experiences of music therapy. Mixed methods data collection will support protocol and theory refinement and establish the appropriateness of the methods to inform a future trial. Ethical approval has been received for all research activities. Discussion The protocol and findings will be disseminated in academic, clinical and public spaces. MELODIC can then be tested for feasibility and acceptability, with clinical and cost-effectiveness ultimately established in a definitive randomised controlled trial. Registration Realist review: CRD42023409635; systematic review: CRD42023429983.

Multi-Mode Face-to-Face and Telephone Approach to Data Collection in Health Surveys: A Scoping Review.

Background/Objectives: The present study aims to identify information from health research studies that have used a mixed-methods data collection approach, considering the combination of face-to-face and telephone interviews (referred to as the MMFT approach), specifically focusing on identifying themes, objectives, designs, populations involved, and implementation processes. Methods: A scoping review was developed, with systematic searches performed in March 2024 across five databases, namely, PubMed; SciELO; Scopus; Web of Science; as well as Google Scholar and reference lists. The inclusion criteria were defined under the following categories: "Participants" (observational epidemiological studies, with no restrictions as to where they were carried out, sampling techniques, or sample profiles); "Concept" (use of MMFT in data collection), and "Context" (studies carried out in the health area, with no restrictions on the theme/subject). The review process was carried out by three researchers who worked independently. Results: From the initial 1515 potential references, the synthesis of this review included data from seven original studies, highlighting cross-sectional designs, involvement of adults and/or elderly people without specific health conditions, variability between data collection strategies, and complementary use of online approaches. Conclusions: Based on the evidence generated, it is recommended that future studies assess aspects of the MMFT approach in terms of response rate, cost reduction, and increasing the speed of conducting health surveys.

Tackling Water and Waste Management Challenges Within the Tourism and Hospitality Industry: A Sustainable Development Goals Perspective

Like other economic sectors, such as agriculture, the tourism and hospitality industry faces numerous sustainability challenges, including substantial environmental water and waste footprints. These challenges emerge out of various factors; amongst them is general environmental degradation due to growing global populations and the increasing impact of and pressure from climate change that forces shareholders and tourists to demand that the tourism industry adopt sustainable practices. However, water and waste management studies related to the tourism industry remain limited worldwide. This study examined water and waste management issues from Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) perspectives, focusing on Cape Town hotels. The primary research question investigates how the tourism and hospitality industry has sought to address various targets under SDG 6 (water and sanitation) and SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). Utilising mixed-method data collected through key informant interviews and field observations from 30 hotels in Cape Town’s central business district, this study found that after Day Zero in Cape Town, the hotel industry has intensified efforts to address water efficiency and security through the implementation of various technologies and techniques to ensure water sustainability. In addition to addressing water issues, the hotel industry is making increasing efforts to minimise and avoid hotel waste in response to consumer demand for accountability and sustainable tourism products. The study notes that while waste management is often challenging, it can provide businesses an opportunity to leverage progress in waste management and water to cut on expenditure and sustainability green marketing, which, in a manner, is financially rewarding. The study recommends financial and non-financial means to address waste and water management to foster better resource management in light of environmental and climate change challenges faced globally.

Analysing consumer switching behaviour and financial antecedents to determine the intention to use central bank digital currency: evidence from the Indian economy

PurposeThe present research aims to study the behavioural intention to use the digital currencies issued by the central bank through the lens of technology acceptance and switching behaviour perspective. The study also proposes to analyse the role of financial constructs to explain the adoption intention.Design/methodology/approachThe current study develops a model by integrating the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and the push–pull–mooring (PPM) theory of switching behaviour. It amends the same by including financial literacy, financial inclusion and trust. A sample data of 419 respondents has been collected through a structured questionnaire and the PLS-SEM approach has been used for data analysis.FindingsThe findings suggest that UTAUT and PPM models can significantly predict individuals' readiness to adopt the central bank digital currency (CBDC). More precisely, performance expectancy, social influence, government support, relative advantage and task-technology fit jointly determine the adoption behaviour. Besides, the financial constructs also affect the intention to use CBDC.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is largely based on a quantitative approach with cross-sectional data from an Indian sample. Thus, the findings may benefit from a longitudinal approach with mixed-method data analysis. However, the study elaborates on several implications for policymakers and research scholars.Originality/valueThe present study uniquely integrates the technology adoption perspective with switching behaviour applied to the migration studies. Given the nascent stage of CBDC implementation in many countries, the current study uses a triangulation approach to enhance the understanding of its adoption behaviour.

Is there a mental health wake following the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescents in a male juvenile prison?

Lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic loom large in the United States but are particularly of concern in prison settings. In the current study, we examine the ongoing mental health consequences of the pandemic among young people incarcerated in a male juvenile prison. Sequential mixed methods data were obtained-78 young people assigned male at birth completed surveys and 19 completed individual interviews. Seven staff were also interviewed about youth experiences during and following the pandemic. Youth survey results indicated racial and ethnic identity exploration, feeling less safe at night, and experiencing staff harassment were significantly associated with some negative mental health concerns, yet lingering COVID-19 policies were not. Triangulation with interviews underscored these findings by highlighting more specific concerns related to COVID-19, such as social isolation, loneliness, and concerns about the indirect effects the pandemic might have on court outcomes and educational goals. Overall, results of the current analysis provide evidence that incarceration continues to be traumatizing and harmful to youth mental health even following the pandemic. To a lesser extent, these results also imply that lingering effects of the pandemic and concurrent cultural and racial tensions have delayed impacts on the mental health of incarcerated youth during this tumultuous time. Taken together, study findings suggests juvenile prisons must implement readiness plans to mitigate these and other harmful effects of juvenile incarceration in the future.

The protective role of siblings in sexual diverse emerging adult well-being

Close sibling relationships can serve as a salient source of support, particularly for individuals navigating stressors associated with emerging adulthood and minoritized identities. Using attachment theory and the temporal intersectional minority stress model as guiding frameworks, mixed-methods data were collected from 939 emerging adult college students to examine the role that siblings play in sexually diverse individual well-being. Sexually diverse emerging adults who perceived close sibling ties did not exhibit a negative effect of prospective anxiety on their self-esteem, but did experience an elevation in positive affect in the face of prospective anxiety, whereas sexually diverse individuals who had poor sibling relationships and heterosexual emerging adults did not show these protective effects. Interactions were not significant for negative affect. Sexually diverse emerging adults shared their lived experiences of how their siblings contribute to their well-being, including themes of affect, sibling interactions, sibling qualities, and coping within the relationship. Most sexually diverse individuals appeared to view a positive effect of siblings on their well-being despite less proximity to the family of origin.

Urban dynamics and socio-spatial transformations of housing in Djelfa City, Algeria

This study examines the socio-spatial transformations of Djelfa, Algeria in the contexts of its urbanization from 1990 to 2024, focusing on the transition from extended to nuclear family structures and from monocentric to polycentric urban forms. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, including interviews, questionnaires, observations, and data analysis with 200 participants, the research outlines the adaptation of housing and urban space to meet the needs of Djelfa’s growing population. Key findings highlight a dramatic demographic shift marked by a 75.6% increase in population, a reduction in average household size from 6.3 to 4.1, and a 150% surge in the number of households. This demographic expansion has spurred extensive urban expansion, effectively doubling the built-up area and necessitating the development of sub-centres of the city to mitigate pressure on the primary city center (CC). This evolution underscores Djelfa’s progression towards a polycentric urban model, reflecting broader urban space decentralization and diversification trends to improve accessibility and reduce congestion. The study contributes to the understanding of complex effects that urbanization has on social and spatial structures in the Global South, highlighting the critical interplay between demographic shifts, urban planning, and social restructuring. Advocating for strategic, inclusive urban planning and policymaking, the research underscores the importance of addressing the diverse needs of rapidly urbanizing populations, offering invaluable insights into sustainable urban management practices applicable to similar urban scenarios worldwide.

Thermal energy export from supermarket refrigeration systems: Drivers and barriers

Supermarket refrigeration systems offer the possibility to recover significant amounts of energy. These amounts may at times be higher than what the supermarket needs. In these cases, export of heat or air conditioning to neighboring buildings is a solution for increased overall energy efficiency. However, although previous studies have demonstrated the technical viability of such systems, they are rarely implemented in practice. In this work, possible barriers to and drivers of implementation of thermal energy export from supermarkets are investigated. The empirical work consists of a mixed-method data collection and in-depth analysis of six case studies of supermarkets that are in a research collaboration project between the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm and CIT Energy Management in Gothenburg, Sweden. The main findings indicate that several barriers, especially the split economic incentives of supermarkets and property owners and a lack of information, have significant detrimental effects on the uptake of thermal energy export solutions. Cooperative agreements between supermarkets and property owners are found to have the greatest possibility to mitigate the impact of the barriers, but standardized templates are needed to reduce their associated legal, technical, and administrative uncertainties.

Process Evaluation of a Secondary School-Based Digital Behaviour Change Intervention to Improve Toothbrushing: The BRIGHT Randomised Controlled Trial.

The aim was to conduct a process evaluation of a multicomponent behaviour change intervention to reduce dental caries in secondary school children in the UK. The intervention was evaluated in the BRIGHT randomised controlled trial which investigated clinical and cost-effectiveness. The trial involved 4680 participants from 42 schools with a follow-up period of 2.5 years. Schools with an above-average proportion of free school meal (FSM) eligibility, an indicator of low household income, were recruited. The intervention, an oral health classroom-based session (CBS) delivered by school staff and twice-daily text messages aimed to improve toothbrushing frequency with fluoride toothpaste. Key components of process evaluations were examined: Implementation (fidelity, dose delivered, adaptations and reach), mechanisms of impact (acceptability and dose received) and influential contextual factors. Data collection ran alongside that of the outcome evaluation. Mixed-methods data collection comprised pupil self-reported questionnaires, staff feedback questionnaires, CBS and text message delivery logs and semi-structured interviews/focus groups with school staff and pupils. Quantitative data were summarised descriptively, while framework analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The intervention was generally implemented as intended, albeit with some schools not confirming CBS delivery and a technical problem resulting in text messages being stopped prematurely. Some adaptations to the CBS were made by school staff. In terms of reach, 21.9% (n = 1025) of participants were FSM-eligible. At baseline, 77.6% (n = 3631) of randomised participants reported brushing at least twice daily with no difference over time in the social cognitive determinants of toothbrushing behaviour. The intervention was generally found to be acceptable with varying levels of participant responsiveness reported. The actual dose received was unclear; some schools did not provide a CBS attendance register, and some participants reported blocking or muting the text messages. This evaluation raises the question of whether the intervention dose and quality of delivery were sufficient to support the required behaviour change mechanisms. Moreover, a high proportion of participants brushed twice daily at baseline; this also calls into question the intervention's ability to bring about significant change. The trial findings did not favour the implementation of the two-component intervention (CBS and text messages) within a school setting. However, with oral health as part of the general health school curriculum, the BRIGHT CBS could be adopted within the UK curriculum as it was co-developed with young people and was found acceptable to pupils and teachers. ISRCTN number: 12139369.

Teletherapy could miss a distinct group among patients with pain and opioid use disorder

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a pre-existing issue related to healthcare accessibility, especially for comorbid chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) populations. Though researchers and practitioners have relied on telehealth to address barriers to healthcare, telehealth services remain inaccessible for many. This study explored the effectiveness of strategies used to continue a clinical trial for comorbid chronic pain and OUD during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study involved the transition of in-person group psychotherapy (Self-regulation Therapy for Opioid use disorder and Chronic Pain–STOP) to telehealth. We completed a mixed-method data analysis to assess the differences between the telehealth and in-person administrations. Though the telehealth group showed higher retention, the in-person group reached more diverse samples. Participants who completed the telehealth group had higher education and income, longer periods of stability on medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and were more likely to be White compared to participants who completed the in-person group. Individuals from minoritized and underserved groups who lack access to in-person services may fall through the gaps of healthcare in the shift to telehealth. There is a clear need for additional research on how to best support those who lack access to current comorbid chronic pain and OUD treatment modalities. ClinicalTrials.gov record number:17–1849, registered November 2017.

Development of a Framework to Implement a Web-Based Thesis Management System in Colleges of Education in Nigeria

This study investigates the challenges of the manual thesis management process in colleges of education in Nigeria and explores the potential benefits and barriers to adopting a web-based thesis management system. This study employed a mixed-methods research design and data were collected through questionnaire and interview. The findings highlight the need for automation to improve efficiency and consistency. Despite the identified advantages of a web-based system, such as streamlined processes, enhanced communication, and improved quality control, the study also uncovered significant barriers to adoption. These include underdeveloped IT infrastructure, limited human resources, high implementation costs, and resistance to change. The study emphasizes the importance of institutional readiness, with a focus on improving internet connectivity, expanding IT resources, and securing external funding to address financial constraints. A framework for adoption is proposed, encompassing key stages such as assessment and planning, technical requirements, training and support, and continuous monitoring and evaluation. The study concludes that a web-based thesis management system can greatly enhance the efficiency and quality of thesis processes if implemented with proper resource allocation, training, and long-term sustainability planning.

Factors affecting enrollment of children with disabilities in child care and early education programs: A mixed methods study of Arkansas center-based programs

Children with disabilities experience various barriers to accessing child care and early education despite federal legislation that supports their inclusion in early care programs. This secondary analysis of mixed methods data explores factors that influence enrollment of children with disabilities from the perspective of licensed, center-based early childhood providers in Arkansas. Using survey data from 463 providers, we examined features of centers and their communities associated with child care and early education access for children with disabilities in Arkansas, finding that various features were related to serving and not serving children with disabilities. Additionally, we conducted a thematic analysis of interviews with 35 providers, finding that disability diagnosis, state and program policies, demand, confidence in staff and access to training, and referrals were important to providers’ decision-making process of enrolling children with disabilities. Integrated quantitative and qualitative results have implications for state policies that could increase enrollment of children with disabilities into early childhood programs.

The Concept of Healing Waterscapes in Public Open Spaces to Construct the Positive Psychology of Visitors

Public open spaces contain various features that have psychological effects on human mental health. Water, as one of the key elements in landscape design, not only enhances aesthetics but also provides sensory stimulation, social interaction, and psychological benefits. It possesses therapeutic qualities that promote relaxation and reduce stress. Given the rising prevalence of mental health issues among adolescents in Bali, public open spaces incorporating waterscapes play a crucial role. The concept of a "healing waterscape" can be applied in such spaces, where environmental elements are strategically designed to improve mental well-being through psychological approaches. However, no clear criteria for healing waterscape design have been formulated, and it remains unclear whether such criteria are being applied in the waterscapes of public open spaces in Denpasar City and Klungkung Regency. This study aims to establish criteria for healing waterscape design in public open spaces and assess the extent to which these criteria are implemented in Denpasar City and Klungkung Regency. Using a mixed-methods data analysis with JMP software, the study identifies four key variables in healing waterscape design: social, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional factors. The design criteria that should be considered for public space waterscapes in Denpasar and Klungkung include activity diversity, site characteristics, spatial variety, acoustics, water shape, movement, flow, lighting and signage, and both biotic and abiotic components.

Collaborative and side-by-side artmaking: reducing social isolation in refugee youth group art therapy

ABSTRACT Background Research on social isolation in refugee youth is important because it affects their sense of belonging, mental health and wellbeing; integration and acculturation into a new country; education; and future employment opportunities. There is limited art therapy research in Australia in this area, leaving a compelling gap in understanding the effectiveness of collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy to connect refugee youth with their peers. Aims This study aimed to explore whether collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy would connect youth more effectively; alleviate their social isolation from trauma, displacement and re-settlement experiences; provide a safe environment and platform to express themselves; and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Methods The triangular mixed-methods approach used standardised scales and semi-structured interviews to gather information from youth, teachers and art therapists. Mixed-method data analysis was applied using the Reliable Change Index, line graphs, descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis. Results Refugee youths’ self-esteem and confidence seemed to increase through collaborative and side-by-side artmaking. Results highlighted the importance of social connection, self-esteem, confidence and a sense of safety for making positive connections during artmaking. Conclusions Findings indicate potential benefits of pportunities for refugee youth to connect with their peers in the school environment and of group art therapy. Implications for practice and future research Opportunities could be achieved through collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy. A larger study, longer programme and mixed populations in the school setting are recommended for future research. Plain-language summary The research aimed to examine if there was an effect of a six-week art therapy programme on social isolation for five 14–15-year-old female refugee youth. This research is important because social isolation affects youth’s mental health and wellbeing. Through creating art individually and next to each other (side-by-side artmaking), and creating artworks together (collaborative artmaking), the programme aimed to reduce social isolation and increase connections between youth during the sessions and in the school environment. The research was conducted in an early intervention creative therapies service onsite at a Queensland English-language transition secondary school. The service is provided by accredited art therapists and uses creative methods to support culturally diverse refugee youth in resettling, learning and recovering from trauma and stress. During the research, youth participants engaged in art activities, such as drawing and painting, while listening to music. Interventions were designed to establish group bonds, build self-esteem and resilience, and empower youth in a safe and supportive environment. Art therapists and teachers observed youth during the research period, completed standardised scales before and after the programme and participated in semi-structured interviews. The youth participants also completed standardised scales and were interviewed before and after the programme. The results showed that after the six-week programme, youths’ wellbeing and connections to each other increased. Three central themes were identified: (1) social connection is important within the school environment; (2) self-esteem and confidence are related to connecting to others and social isolation; and (3) there is a sense of safety in artmaking individually and collaboratively with peers. The study found that the art therapy programme positively affected youth mental health and wellbeing. This suggests the programme effectively reduced participants’ social isolation, potentially offering positive opportunities to connect other youth at risk of social isolation.