Improving outcomes in young people experiencing homelessness with My Strengths Training for Life™ (MST4Life™): A qualitative realist evaluation

Parry, Benjamin J.; Quinton, Mary L.; Holland, Mark J. G.; Thompson, Janice L.; Cumming, Jennifer

doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105793

Cited by 16 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…However, the nonexperimental approach was aligned with stakeholders' preferences and the community-based nature of this study and was favorable over the disadvantages of RCTs (e.g., low ecological and external validity; Brady & O'Regan, 2009). Although the present study cannot speak to the mechanisms of the intervention, a qualitative realist evaluation of MST4Life™ alleviates some concerns of the nonexperimental approach, providing support for the intervention itself eliciting positive outcomes, and detailing the mechanisms involved (Parry et al, 2020c).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…MST4Life™ is a community-based PYD program (Cumming et al, 2021), codesigned to aid young people in their ability to recognize and use their mental skills to improve self-regulation of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and transfer them to other life domains (e.g., EET; Cooley et al, 2019, Parry et al, 2020c. PYD characteristics that fed into MST4Life™ activities and delivery style were, (1) needs supportive relationships with caring adults, (2) challenging and meaningful activities, and (3), opportunities to recognize, use, and develop mental skills (Cumming et al, 2021).…”

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This study focused on evaluating outcomes associated with Phase 1. Phase 2 is not included here due to not all participants being able to attend, an inconsistent gap in time between phases, and difficulties in collecting questionnaire data; this phase is also the focus of other evaluation studies involving qualitative methods (e.g., Parry et al, 2020bParry et al, , 2020c.…”

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

An evaluation of My Strengths Training for Life™ for improving resilience and well‐being of young people experiencing homelessness

Quinton

Clarke

Parry

et al. 2021

Journal Community Psychology

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This community-based study investigated whether (1) a novel sport psychology informed positive youth development program, My Strengths Training for Life™, improved resilience and well-being and (2) young people differed in outcomes according to demographics (gender, ethnicity, social inclusion, and learning difficulty). A total of 246 young people (M age = 19.74, SD = 2.31) living in a large housing service completed questionnaires on demographics, mental skills, and pre and postprogram resilience and well-being. Baseline differences in resilience and well-being existed for ethnicity and learning difficulty status but did not influence MST4Life™ outcomes. There was a significant improvement in resilience and well-being over time, which was associated with mental skills development. Implications apply for policy, program commissioners, and research: (1) novel sport psychology interventions can improve the well-being of disadvantaged youth, and (2) demographics at baseline should be considered in intervention planning and evaluation with this population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An evaluation of My Strengths Training for Life™ for improving resilience and well‐being of young people experiencing homelessness

Quinton

Clarke

Parry

et al. 2021

Journal Community Psychology

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“…Because connection to nature is closely linked to many PYD outcomes, youth program leaders might consider adopting an intentional approach to including more outdoor activities within their programming (Parry et al, 2021b). Our findings help make a case for nature as a viable setting for physical activity-based PYD programs.…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 79%

Nature as an Ecological Asset for Positive Youth Development: Empirical Evidence From Rural Communities

2021

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Despite increasing emphasis on youth contact with nature and associated benefits, research has not examined the direct relationship between adolescents' nature-based experiences and holistic measures of positive youth development (PYD). This gap may stem from the lack of interdisciplinary work on nature and PYD. Our study integrates multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore direct associations between time in nature, connection to nature, and the five Cs of PYD (competence, connection, confidence, character, and caring) as well as the “sixth” C of contribution. From 2015 to 2016, we collected data from 587 diverse South Carolina middle school students (57% female, 40% BIPOC) between the ages of 11 and 14 (Mage = 12.9) and living in predominantly low-income communities. OLS regression analyses indicated that across all youth, self-reported connection to nature was a consistent positive correlate of overall PYD and each of the individual Cs. Time in nature was associated with overall PYD and competence. Findings demonstrate significant associations between nature-based experiences and PYD and underscore the importance of ensuring that diverse youth can access and enjoy the developmental benefits of nature and nature-based recreation opportunities.

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“…Autonomy refers to the need to feel volition and have a sense of choice in one’s actions, relatedness is the need to feel connected to others and integrated into a larger social whole, and competence is the need to feel efficacious and believe that one’s actions result in intended outcomes. MST4Life™ program facilitators support these needs [ 27 , 28 , 29 ] by creating a relaxed and enjoyable environment that offers autonomy support (e.g., regular opportunities to make personal choices and give input), interpersonal involvement (e.g., demonstrating acceptance, care, warmth, understanding, and respect for participants), and appropriate structure (e.g., the provision of clear instructions and guidance, positive expectancy, optimal challenges, and constructive feedback; [ 30 ]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Feasibility Study of the My Strengths Training for Life™ (MST4Life™) Program for Young People Experiencing Homelessness

Cumming

Clarke

Holland

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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My Strengths Training for Life™ (MST4Life™) is a positive youth development program for improving wellbeing and social inclusion in young people experiencing homelessness. MST4Life™ addresses a gap in strengths-based programs aimed at promoting healthy and optimal development in vulnerable older adolescents/emerging adults. The program was co-developed with a UK housing service as part of a long-term (>8 years) community–academic partnership. This mixed-methods study describes a key step in developing and evaluating the program: exploring its feasibility and acceptability with 15 homeless young people (Mean age = 19.99 years, SD = 2.42; 60% male, 40% female). Participants experienced 8 weekly sessions within their local community, followed by a 4-day/3-night residential outdoor adventure trip. In addition to their attendance records, the viewpoints of the participants and their support workers were obtained using diary rooms and focus groups. Feasibility was indicated via the themes of attendance, engagement, and reaction. The findings suggested that young people enjoyed and perceived a need for the program, that they considered the program and its evaluation methods to be acceptable, and that both the community-based and outdoor adventure residential phases could be implemented as planned. Minor modifications are needed to recruitment strategies before it is more widely rolled out and evaluated.

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Improving outcomes in young people experiencing homelessness with My Strengths Training for Life™ (MST4Life™): A qualitative realist evaluation

Cited by 16 publications

References 41 publications

An evaluation of My Strengths Training for Life™ for improving resilience and well‐being of young people experiencing homelessness

An evaluation of My Strengths Training for Life™ for improving resilience and well‐being of young people experiencing homelessness

Nature as an Ecological Asset for Positive Youth Development: Empirical Evidence From Rural Communities

A Feasibility Study of the My Strengths Training for Life™ (MST4Life™) Program for Young People Experiencing Homelessness

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