Effective strategies and interventions for engaging at-risk youth: a rapid systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose Family violence, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and exposure to intimate partner violence, has been linked to mental health problems and increased substance abuse in youth. This rapid systematic review evaluated the most recent literature on effective strategies and/or interventions to engage youth at-risk due to family violence, mental health problems, and/or substance abuse. Methods A rapid systematic review of the literature on engaging youth identified as at-risk for mental health difficulties, substance abuse, or family violence in interventions was undertaken. Searches were run in PsycINFO, CINAHL, SocINDEX, Family & Society Studies Worldwide and Social Work Abstracts. To be included, studies had to be quantitative or qualitative, examine youth-targeted strategies aimed at increasing engagement with interventions and have a target population aged between 12 to 18 years old. Studies published prior to 2014 were excluded. Results A total of 13 studies were retrieved that included 2,527 high-risk youth. Strategies were identified and categorized based on the following themes: (1) Technology-based, (2) Experiential therapy-based, (3) Counselling-based, (4) Program-based and (5) Other engagement strategies. Technology-based, experiential therapy-based and program-based strategies showed high levels of engagement in at-risk youth. Counselling-based strategies demonstrated variable outcomes between studies. Conclusions Many of the engagement strategies retrieved in this evidence assessment were reported to be successful, suggesting that there is no single best approach to engaging at-risk youth. A variety of strategies can be combined and tailored to fit the individual needs of youth and the resources available to the intervention program at that time.