Developing Resilience Online: Evaluation of Synchronous and Asynchronous Resilience Interventions for Filipino College Students

This study evaluated two forms of a resilience intervention amongst college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilising a randomised controlled trial design; it examined the impact of a synchronous and asynchronous resilience interventions versus a control group that did a journaling intervention. Outcomes measured included coping behaviour; non-reactivity; wellbeing; stress; depression and anxiety. Participants consisted of Filipino college students randomly assigned to three groups: synchronous online resilience group (n = 135); asynchronous resilience group (n = 121) and control group (n = 127). Results revealed that students who went through the online synchronous resilience reported a significant reduction in depression at post-intervention compared to those who went through an asynchronous intervention. Post-intervention scores for nonreactivity were also higher in the synchronous group compared to both asynchronous and journaling groups. Effect sizes were small to moderate. This study suggests that online resilience interventions are viable means to address the mental health needs of students; especially in countries with limited mental health resources

The Development and Initial Evaluation of Katatagan: A Resilience Intervention for Filipino Disaster Survivors

This paper documents the development, pilot, and initial evaluation of Katatagan, a group-based resilience program designed to hone coping skills of Filipino disaster survivors. The paper describes vulnerabilities and protective factors of Filipino survivors based on previous research and key informant interviews. It also explains how Luthar and Cicchetti’s (2000) resilience framework and guidelines for the development of interventions were incorporated in the objectives and the design of the resilience intervention. The intervention consists of six modules that aim to improve self-ecacy, adaptive coping skills, and well-being of Filipino survivors. The paper presents an initial evaluation of Katatagan among college students in Tacloban. Results revealed signicant improvements in adaptive coping behaviors and a decrease in anxiety and depressive symptoms. Although more robust evaluations are necessary, the results provide encouraging evidence for the value of group-based and culturally-nuanced interventions. Moreover, the paper describes a collaborative and systematic process of designing a needs- based resilience interventions for Filipino disaster survivors

The Development of a Community-Based Drug Intervention for Filipino Drug Users

This article documents the development of a community-based drug intervention for low- to mild-risk drug users who surrendered as part of the Philippine government\u27s anti-drug campaign. It highlights the importance of developing evidence-informed drug recovery interventions that are appropriate to the Asian culture and to developing economies. Interviews and consultations with users and community stakeholders reveal the need for an intervention that would improve the drug recovery skills and life skills of users. Evidence-based interventions were adapted using McKleroy and colleagues’ (2006) Map of Adaptation Process (MAP) framework. The resulting intervention reflected the country\u27s collectivist culture, relational values, propensity for indirect and non-verbal communication, and interdependent self-construal. The use of small groups, interactive and creative methodologies, and the incorporation of music and prayer also recognised the importance of these in the Philippine culture

Examining inter-organizational roles in Philippine post-disaster MHPSS delivery

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical grounding on the management of inter-organizational roles in the delivery of mental health and psychosocial services (MHPSS) through the experiences of three disaster-stricken localities. It describes challenges in the provision of MHPSS, and offered implications to post-disaster management practices in a developing country context. Design/methodology/approach In total, 28 individual interviews and four focus group discussions were conducted among key informants in the three localities that experienced destructive typhoons. Thematic analysis, following the procedures of Braun and Clarke (2006), was used to examine patterns in the data. Findings The results surfaced disparate perspectives in the role and scope of MHPSS, lack of clarity in inter-organizational roles and service standards as well as contextual challenges in post-disaster MHPSS delivery. Specific issues pertaining to the absence of inter-organizational role clarity in MHPSS post-disaster response include varying perspectives on the role of local government employees as survivors and MHPSS providers; local government as facilitator of MHPSS efforts; the Department of Health as the lead agency for MHPSS; and standards on who can deliver MHPSS and train MHPSS responders. Research limitations/implications The study is based on community accounts of MHPSS delivery during disasters. Future studies may focus on capturing longitudinal data that can further refine and enable the institutionalization of effective and sustainable MHPSS response. Practical implications The results suggest the importance of improving systems and structures for MHPSS response to enable effective multi-organization support in disaster scenarios. Findings also highlight the need to have guidelines anchored on international standards of MHPSS delivery that will be used by the designated agency leading and advocating MHPSS efforts. This lead agency may be tasked to operationally define MHPSS in a disaster context, develop guideposts and standards in MHPSS delivery as well as clarify roles and accountabilities of different organizations. Originality/value Existing literature often relied on the analysis of secondary evidence such as expert-driven state or national guidelines. This study provided rich empirical data from key organizational actors involved in MHPSS provision in disaster-stricken communities

Online Resilience Support Groups During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Philippine Experience

The purpose of this paper is to examine the outcomes of an online resilience support group during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Specifically; it described the extent to which the program improved adaptive coping; non-reactivity; resilience and well-being and decreased stress; depression and anxiety symptoms of participants. This study used a pretest–posttest design with 53 participants. A majority of participants were female (74%) who participated in the program for 6–8 weeks. Scales measuring adaptive coping; non-reactivity; resilience; well-being; stress; depression and anxiety were administered before and after the completion of the modules. Results revealed significant improvements in adaptive coping particularly seeking emotional and instrumental support; active coping; and religious coping. The results also showed significant improvements in nonreactivity; psychological well-being and resilience and decrease in depression symptoms. Effect size estimates indicate medium effect sizes for well-being and nonreactivity with the other outcomes having small effect sizes. This paper examines the feasibility of an online structured peer support group that focuses on building resilience skills. It fills a gap in the literature on online peer support groups that may be most relevant for low-income countries with a dearth of mental health specialists

Online Resilience Support Groups During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Philippine Experience

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the outcomes of an online resilience support group during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Specifically, it described the extent to which the program improved adaptive coping, non-reactivity, resilience and well-being and decreased stress, depression and anxiety symptoms of participants. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a pretest–posttest design with 53 participants. A majority of participants were female (74%) who participated in the program for 6–8 weeks. Scales measuring adaptive coping, non-reactivity, resilience, well-being, stress, depression and anxiety were administered before and after the completion of the modules. Findings: Results revealed significant improvements in adaptive coping particularly seeking emotional and instrumental support, active coping, and religious coping. The results also showed significant improvements in nonreactivity, psychological well-being and resilience and decrease in depression symptoms. Effect size estimates indicate medium effect sizes for well-being and nonreactivity with the other outcomes having small effect sizes. Research limitations/implications: A limitation of this study is the lack of a randomized control trial design and the lack of control for extraneous variables. Future studies using rigorous and longitudinal designs are recommended. Future studies may also examine program implementation factors such as using homogenous groups. Practical implications: In most low-income countries, the provision of mental health and psychosocial support during the COVID-19 pandemic has been hampered by the lack of mental health professionals, issues of internet connectivity and a lack of resources and access. Online resilience support groups may provide a means to address these challenges by making mental health support more accessible and available. Social implications: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused isolation and a means to bridge this is through peer support groups. This may be especially important in collectivist cultures where social relationships serve as recovery capital. Originality/value: Although there has been a rise in the use of technology, most are in the form of individual or self-help interventions. This paper examines the feasibility of an online structured peer support group that focuses on building resilience skills. It fills a gap in the literature on online peer support groups that may be most relevant for low-income countries with a dearth of mental health specialists

3. Online Counseling for Migrant Workers: Challenges and Opportunities

The advent of globalization and the changing landscape of international social and economic conditions have led to the rise of transnational labor migration. Among countries that export labor, the Philippines ranks as the second largest, with an estimated 11 million, or 10% of the population, leaving the country to work in various parts of the globe (Asian Migrant Centre, 2000; Philippine Overseas Employment Agency [POEA], 2012). Although overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have helped uplift their families from poverty and improve the Philippines’ economy, there are social costs to labor migration. OFWs commonly report depression, loneliness, increased stress, discrimination, homesickness, and, for those illegally staying in the host country, experience abuse and being persistently fearful of possible deportation (eg, Ayalon, 2012; Briones, 2008; Lee, 2006). The families of OFWs also experience psychological distress as well. For instance, children whose mothers have left the country to work tend to be more angry, confused, and apathetic, and feel different from other children (Battistella & Conaco, 1998). This chapter summarizes research on online counseling, particularly for Filipino migrant workers. Using data from an online counseling site created for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), it reports the profile of the consumers that use these services as well as their drives for seeking counseling support online. It also discusses the common issues migrant workers attempt to address during online counseling. We present the opportunities and challenges encountered by both counselees and counselors in online counseling. The chapter ends with a discussion of the prospects for online counseling and other technology-mediated interventions in addressing the psychosocial needs of migrant workers

Evaluation of the training and implementation of Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad

This study evaluated the training of facilitators and pilot implementation of the Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad (KKDK), a community-based drug recovery program. Paired samples t-test of pre and posttest scores of 111 community facilitators who underwent training revealed signifcant changes in their perceived competence, motivation, and commitment. The program was pilot-tested among 46 mild-risk drug users. Pre and posttest results revealed moderate effects in substance use dependence symptoms and life skills, and large effects in drug recovery skills and psychological well-being. Correlational analysis of posttest scores revealed a negative relation between life skills and SUD symptoms and a positive relation between recovery skills and psychological well-being. Post-program focus group discussions with participants and interviews with facilitators highlighted the value of building recovery and life skills in enabling change in the participants and their families. However, field observations revealed a number of enablers and challenges in implementation

Attitudes of psychology graduate students toward face-to-face and online counseling

This study investigated the attitudes of 80 graduate students of Counseling and Clinical Psychology toward face-to-face and online counseling based on eight distance counseling factors: providing empathy, providing emotional support, providing connection, providing a sense of safety and confidentiality, accessibility, availability of counselor/therapist, eliminating social stigma, and anonymity, (Centore & Millaci, 2003). Respondents were Internet savvy and used the Internet an average of 26 hours each week. Results showed that compared to e-mail counseling and chat counseling, face-to-face counseling was rated higher on four of the eight factors: providing empathy, providing emotional support, providing connection, and providing a sense of safety and confidentiality. No differences were found in the ratings for accessibility and availability. Online counseling was rated higher in terms of addressing issues about social stigma and providing anonymity. Their attitude towards online counseling (visà-vis face-to-face counseling) was generally positive. Majority of the respondents also indicated openness to conducting online counseling, although they still consider face-to-face counseling more effective than online counseling. Implications for the potential of the practice of online counseling in combination with face-to-face counseling are discussed

A Pilot Evaluation of Katatagan Online: Benefits and Challenges of an Online Resilience Program in the Philippines during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examines the feasibility of a virtual peer support resilience program for Filipinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a mixed-method design with pre- and post-test surveys measuring adaptive coping; psychological well-being; depression; anxiety; and stress. Interviews and open-ended questions in post-program surveys also elicited reactions; learnings; and suggestions of participants.Seventy-one (71) participants; a majority of whom were female (82%),with ages ranging from 20–65 participated in the program. Paired sample t-tests revealed significant increases in adaptive coping,non-reactivity; resilience; and well-being; and significant decreases in depression and stress symptoms. Participants found the program useful; accessible; and appreciated that it was free. However; they also reported challenges related to connectivity; distractions; and time. Participants reported that the program increased their self understanding; self-care; and resilience skills. Other benefits cited were increased social support; learning from peers; and improved mental health