A pre-immigration group intervention with adolescents: An evaluation study

This article presents an evaluation of a pre-immigration group intervention that was implemented with adolescents from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), candidates for a 3-yr educational program in Israel. The intervention was based on a psychodynamic conceptualization of migration and adolescence. In the short run, it was expected to reduce the idealized expectations of the participants and raise their awareness of the pains of separation and of difficulties ahead. This effect was measured by comparing the responses of 413 adolescents before and immediately after the intervention. In the long run the intervention was expected to promote the psychological well-being and the creation of significant interpersonal bonds. This effect was measured 9-10 mo after the intervention through a comparison between an intervention group (150 adolescent immigrants from the CIS who received the intervention) and a comparison group (90 immigrant adolescents who did not receive the intervention). The results demonstrated some of the expected short- and long-term effects of the intervention and are discussed in light of the theoretical conceptualization of the intervention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)