The research group consist of researchers from several research institutions in Norway. The study will be led by Joshua Patras, an associate professor at RKBU North at UiT, the Arctic University of Norway. Together with researchers Merete Saus (RKBU North), Marcela Douglas (RKBU North), Reidar Jakobsen (NORCE), Simon-Peter Neumer (RBUP East and South), and Incredible Years Trainer Siri Gamalsæter (RKBU Central), he will study the effect of a parenting intervention for refugee and ethnic minority families. The research project will evaluate the effectiveness of the “Incredible Years Basic Parenting ProgramTM” for this population.
“This is a great opportunity to conduct this research. The Incredible Years programme has shown to be an effective tool for helping Norwegian parents develop good parenting skills,” said Joshua Patras. “The funding from the Kavli Trust will give us much needed support to adapt and evaluate the Incredible Years program for a different group of parents.”
The aim of the Incredible Years programme is to promote emotional, social and academic competence, and to prevent, reduce and treat behavioral and emotional problems. The parenting programme focuses on strengthening the parent-child interaction and attachment, and parents will learn how to encourage school readiness skills and to, through collaboration with teachers, promote children’s academic as well as social and emotional skills. The programme includes protocols for use as a prevention program or treatment for children with conduct problems and ADHD.
Picture of Simon-Peter Neumer (Researcher, RBUP East and South) and Joshua Patras (PIRM Project Leader, RKBU North).
Picture of Simon-Peter Neumer (Researcher, RBUP East and South) and Leoul Mekonen (Study Leader, health and social work with ethnic minorities; RBUP East and South). Leoul is collaborating with research partners at RBUP.
In addition to their work with the Incredible Years, the research group will evaluate the additional effects of a measurement feedback system, which is designed to help the treatment providers to evaluate their client’s response to treatment at regular intervals. This, in turn, gives the professionals a chance to adjust their focus of treatment within the frameworks established by the program.
The project will also help to clarify the daily experiences of refugees and immigrant minorities in Norway.
The study, which will take place from 2019 to 2023, will include approximately 270 refugee families. The final results should be published within that timeframe. The results of the study should provide valuable information for the refugee services in Norway about what helps refugee parents and their children.
In the top-picture, from left to right: Joshua Patras (RKBU North), Siri Gammelsæter (RKBU Central), Reidar Jakobsen (RKBU West), Marcela Douglas (RKBU North), Merete Saus (RKBU North), and Simon-Peter Neumer (RBUP East and South).