A Pilot Evaluation of a School-Based Psychoeducational Program for Chinese and Latino/a Parents: Perceived Effectiveness and Acceptability

Immigrant parents and their adolescent children face unique stressors that have been linked to an increased prevalence of negative mental health outcomes. Limited research has evaluated the use of brief, culturally sensitive, school-based mental health programming for immigrant families. The current study sought to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a mental health psychoeducational program for immigrant parents of adolescents. Additionally, the current study sought to explore the role of parental demographic characteristics on these outcomes. Sixty-seven immigrant parents of adolescents from urban communities participated in a pilot evaluation of a brief mental health program designed to educate parents regarding stressors their adolescents face and how to increase positive communication. Results suggest that immigrant participants perceived the training as both acceptable and effective in increasing their knowledge. Moreover, results indicated higher ratings of the training’s acceptability and effectiveness among younger parents, as well as those who identified as Latino/a. Implications for school mental health professionals serving immigrant parent populations are discussed.