TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - Fostering an affiliative environment in residential youth care: a cluster randomized trial of a compassionate mind training program for caregivers enrolling youth and their caregivers
JO  - Child abuse and neglect
A1  - Santos, Laura
A1  - Pinheiro, Maria do Rosário
A1  - Rijo, Daniel
SP  - e106122
EP  - e106122
VL  - 139
IS  - 
N2  - BACKGROUND: Affiliation has a positive role on well-being and human development. Most children and youth living in residential youth care (RYC) experienced maltreatment from significant others, becoming a particularly vulnerable group. Their complex needs require well trained caregivers who help them to heal and thrive. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: This cluster randomized trial sought to test the Compassionate Mind Training program for Caregivers (CMT- Care Homes) effectiveness on affiliative outcomes across time. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: A sample of 127 professional caregivers and 154 youth from 12 Portuguese residential care homes (RCH) participated on this study. <br><br>METHODS: RCHs were randomized to treatment (n = 6) and control (n = 6) groups. Caregivers and youth completed self-report measures at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up on social safeness and emotional climate. Caregivers were also evaluated on compassion outcomes. <br><br>RESULTS: MANCOVA indicated large multivariate time X group effects. Univariate results suggested that caregivers from the treatment group showed improvements in compassion towards others and in self-compassion across time, while the control group gradually deteriorated in both variables. Youth and caregivers from the treatment group noticed a more soothing and safer RCH emotional climate, as well as feeling safer within relationships. At 6-month follow-up, improvements were retained by caregivers, but not by youth. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: The CMT- Care Homes brings a new model to RYC, that represents a promising approach in promoting safe relationships and affiliative environments in RCHs. Supervision should be provided to monitor care practices and sustain change across time.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0145-2134
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106122
ID  - ref1
ER  -