Poster #104 - Evaluating the Impact of a Multicomponent Prevention and Promotion Program on Youth Well-Being

• In Event: Poster Session 09

Abstract

Current mental health needs of youth are particularly critical. In Utah in 2021 75% of 6th-12th graders had moderate to high depressive symptoms (SHARP: Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, 2021). This study evaluated the THRIVE Program, a youth multicomponent prevention and promotion intervention with curriculum that draws from positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, and social emotional learning. THRIVE is an adaptation of an adult program shown to be effective at improving well-being in a randomized controlled trial (Heintzelman, 2020). The program was evaluated in two main areas: impact on student well-being and mental health and the feasibility of the program's design.

METHOD
Participants
The THRIVE program met one hour per week for six weeks in small groups via zoom. Program participants were diverse high school students (the majority of whom identified as female and LatinX) who participated in one of three cohorts (spring 2022, summer 2022, and fall 2022). Data collection for this project is ongoing. Thirty-two participants participated in the spring and summer cohorts, and 16 -20 are expected for the fall cohort, for a final sample size of approximately 50.

Measures
Six measures were used to assess participant mental health and wellbeing before and after the program: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R10; Radloff, 1977), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7; Williams, 2014), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC2; Vaishnavi, Connor, & Davidson, 2007), Quality of Life – Short Form (YQOL-SF; Patrick, Edwards, & Topolski, 2002), and a single stress item from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA III Codebook - American College Health Association, 2020). Open-ended questions examined what the youth liked about the program and areas for improvement.

RESULTS
Wilcoxon signed rank tests and t-tests were used to compare differences in pre and post-survey median and mean values in all six of the mental health and wellbeing measures. Preliminary results indicated significant differences in pre- to post-assessments in levels of anxiety and quality of life, and all additional measures showing changes in the expected direction, albeit insignificant given the lower power associated with the partial sample.

Anxiety levels were significantly higher before the program (Mdn= 10.0) than after (Mdn= 4.5), T = 30.0, z = -1.708, p = .044. Youth quality of life was significantly lower before the program (Mdn= 106.0) than after (Mdn= 113.0), T = 99.0, z = -2.217, p = .014. Open-ended survey results indicated that the youth found the program meaningful and the skills developed helpful. They appreciated the safe space created to have a conversation about mental health, a topic which they perceived was often taboo.

DISCUSSION
Latino youth may be more likely to have untreated mental health issues; effective prevention and intervention programs are needed that support Latino youth well-being (Ramirez, Gallion, Aguilar and Dembeck, 2017). This program may be an exemplar for other communities. Scalability, limitations, and future directions will be discussed.

Group Authors

Marissa Diener, Alexander Becraft, Mitchell Wulfman

Authors

• Sydnee Joy Sartor, University of Utah
  Presenting Author

• Marissa L. Diener, University of Utah

• Alexander Becraft

• Mitchell Wulfman