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Open AccessArticle
Internet-Based Prevention of Re-Victimization for Youth with Care Experience (EMPOWER-YOUTH): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial
by
Birgit Wagner
Birgit Wagner *
,
Olivia Lucia Marie Emmerich
Olivia Lucia Marie Emmerich
and
Betteke Maria van Noort
Betteke Maria van Noort
Department of Psychology, MSB Medical School Berlin, 14197 Berlin, Germany
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(9), 1159; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091159 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 11 July 2024
/
Revised: 25 August 2024
/
Accepted: 29 August 2024
/
Published: 30 August 2024
Abstract
Traumatic experiences and maltreatment are highly prevalent among adolescents in foster or institutional care and have severe long-term effects on mental health. Childhood maltreatment increases the risk of revictimization. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the internet-based prevention program EMPOWER YOUTH in reducing victimization experiences among youth with care experience. A total of 163 youth, that is, adolescents in foster or institutional care, adopted adolescents, or young care leavers aged 14 to 21 years (Mage= 17.68 years; SD = 2.11) were randomized to the six-module guided program or a wait-list control group. The primary endpoint was the decrease in victimization experiences at an 18-week follow-up. Secondary endpoints included risk perception, aggressive tendencies, empathy, prosocial behavior, depressiveness, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and loneliness. About half of the youth exhibited increased psychopathology. No significant interaction between time-point and group was found for victimization measures, though both groups saw a significant reduction over time (p = 0.012, ηp2 = 0.06; p = 0.017, ηp2 = 0.06). The intervention group showed a significant increase in perception of thrill-seeking and rebellious risks (p = 0.036, ηp2 = 0.04; p = 0.026, ηp2 = 0.05). While EMPOWER YOUTH effectively increased risk perception of thrill-seeking and rebellious behaviors, it should be considered an add-on to more intensive interventions for common mental health disorders in this vulnerable group, rather than a stand-alone online program.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Wagner, B.; Emmerich, O.L.M.; van Noort, B.M.
Internet-Based Prevention of Re-Victimization for Youth with Care Experience (EMPOWER-YOUTH): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 1159.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091159
AMA Style
Wagner B, Emmerich OLM, van Noort BM.
Internet-Based Prevention of Re-Victimization for Youth with Care Experience (EMPOWER-YOUTH): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2024; 21(9):1159.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091159
Chicago/Turabian Style
Wagner, Birgit, Olivia Lucia Marie Emmerich, and Betteke Maria van Noort.
2024. "Internet-Based Prevention of Re-Victimization for Youth with Care Experience (EMPOWER-YOUTH): Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 21, no. 9: 1159.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21091159
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