Abstract
Background
Timely, preventive interventions are essential to supporting refugee mental health and a positive resettlement experience. MindSpring (MS) is a psychosocial community intervention designed to help newly arrived refugees understand and manage mental health responses and resettlement stressors. MS has been adapted for use among Ukrainian refugees but has not yet been evaluated.
Methods
Using a mixed-methods design, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of the Ukrainian MS adaptation on empowerment among Ukrainian refugees resettled in Denmark. We recruited 125 MS participants who completed the MindSpring Empowerment Scale (MSES) before and after the MS programme. Subsequently, 12 participants took part in qualitative interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed separately and integrated at the interpretive stage using a comparative joint display approach.
Results
Participants showed significant improvement on the Empowerment scale (p < 0.001), particularly in trauma knowledge. They noted that MS reminded them of the importance of mental healthcare (p < 0.001) and suggested disseminating more advanced knowledge. Participants also reported a better understanding of how to seek mental healthcare if needed (p < 0.001). Qualitative data revealed that they learned self-management and acceptance techniques to cope with stress. Participants also showed increased knowledge of Danish norms and rules and felt better equipped to manage life in Denmark (p < .001). Qualitative data suggested that this was linked to acquiring knowledge of Danish child-rearing culture. Some said MS changed their interactions with children, though this was not reflected in their reported changes in family life (p = 0.425).
Conclusions
MS supports Ukrainian refugees’ empowerment by fostering new skills in parenting, stress management, and self-care. Continued use is recommended, albeit with a focus on further adaptations.
Key messages
• MindSpring empowers Ukrainian refugees through knowledge acquisition and self-care strategies.
• MindSpring supports resettlement in Denmark for Ukrainian refugees through the exploration of similarities and differences in cultural norms, values, and societal rules.