Pilot implementation of child psychosocial framework in Kenya, Turkey and Brazil

Date28 November 2019
Pages303-316
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-02-2019-0008
Published date28 November 2019
AuthorPanos Vostanis,Seyda Eruyar,Esther Smit,Michelle O’Reilly
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Vulnerable groups,Children's services,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Children/youth,Parents,Education,Early childhood education,Home culture,Social/physical development
Pilot implementation of child psychosocial
framework in Kenya, Turkey and Brazil
Panos Vostanis, Seyda Eruyar, Esther Smit and Michelle OReilly
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a child psychosocial framework among stakeholders in
areas of disadvantage in three low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), i.e. Kenya, Turkey and Brazil, and to
capture their proposed recommendations through action plans according to this framework.
Design/methodology/approach Workshops were facilitated with a total of 54 participants from different
disciplines. The framework addressed safety and child-centredness, quality of care, resilience-building in
schools and communities, enhancing competencies within existing roles, counselling and psychological
interventions, and access to mental health services. Stakeholdersperspectives were captured through a
participatory action procedure.
Findings The emerging 33 categories across the framework dimensions and the three sites led to four
overarchingand inter-linked themes.These related to communityawareness; empowermentand mobilization
of children, young people and families; inter-agency policy and practice; and capacity-building on skills
acquisition at different levels.
Research limitations/implications The next stage in this service research should be full implementation
and evaluation in different LMIC contexts.
Practical implications It is feasible to implement such a child psychosocial framework in contexts of
conflict and disadvantage, and in the absence of specialist mental health services. Active stakeholder
engagement and co-production should be central to the next phase of service transformation in LMIC.
Originality/value This study captured the views and experiences of stakeholders in LMIC areas
of disadvantage, and demonstrated their readiness to establish interdisciplinary networks and re-focus
existing services.
Keywords Participation, Interdisciplinary, Service transformation, Psychosocial
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Improving childrens mental health is gaining increasing recognition and importance globally,
including in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Its provision is, however, constrained by
several established barriers such as negative attitudes and stigma, different conceptualizations
of mental health and illness, limited capacity in workforce numbers and skills, and lack of
culturally appropriate and contextualized interventions (Betancourt and Will iams, 2008;
Jordans et al., 2010). High levels of risk through human- and nature-induced conflict, and
socioeconomic disadvantage are usually compounded by the lack of resources (Tol et al., 2010;
Hussein et al., 2012).
To begin to address these gaps through emerging evidence, there is current attention on
maximizing LMIC strengths by intervening early through schools and communities, upskilling
parents and paraprofessionals, and using new technologies (Fazel et al., 2014; Patel and
Rahman, 2015). It is widely accepted that these challenges can only be addressed through
co-production with and ownership by communities, cultural adaptation and appropriateness of
interventions, and their integration into existing systems that variably involve provision by
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (Lund et al., 2016). Despite agreement on such
principles, stakeholder engagement and active input is still lacking (Getanda et al., 2017).
Received 10 February 2019
Revised 25 April 2019
Accepted 6 September 2019
Panos Vostanis is based at the
Department of Neurosciences,
Psychology and Behaviour,
University of Leicester,
Leicester, UK.
Seyda Eruyar is based at the
Department of Psychology,
Necmettin Erbakan University,
Konya, Turkey.
Esther Smit is based at NGO,
Strong Wings, Wageningen,
The Netherlands.
Michelle OReilly is based at the
Department of Sociology,
University of Leicester,
Leicester, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JCS-02-2019-0008 VOL. 14 NO. 4 2019, pp. 303-316, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-6660
j
JOURNAL OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES
j
PAG E 30 3

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