An innovative intervention model for children and young people in residential care: the D’ART-TE project

Fátima Gameiro, Miguel Faria, Beatriz Rosa, Paula Ferreira, Ana Pedro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

(1) Background: Residential care (RC) for children and youth should provide a holistic experience of growing up. Currently, RC homes face many challenges, highlighting the need for validated, innovative interventions. D’AR-TE is a pilot project aimed at creating an innovative intervention model for children and youth in RC, promoting protective factors through activities designed to enhance personal skills, socialization, and relationship building. The project spanned three years, focusing on two main areas: “Promoting the SELF” (including Sports, Art, and Virtual Reality) and “Promoting the US” (group activities with families and non-institutionalized peers). (2) Methods: To validate the D’AR-TE model, 46 children and youth in RC, aged between 6 and 20 years, were assessed. They were divided into an experimental group (26 participants) and a control group (20 participants). The evaluation, conducted at the beginning and end of the project, focused on cognitive and neuropsychological domains. (3) Results: By the end of D’AR-TE, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements, including decreased aggression perception, increased social support, enhanced self-concept, and better cognitive and emotional performance. (4) Conclusions: These results suggest that D’AR-TE had a positive impact and could be a valid and replicable model for children and youth in RC.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2237
Number of pages16
JournalHealthcare (Switzerland)
Volume12
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Nov 2024

Funding

The study was funded by the Parcerias para o Impacto, area of intervention Social Inclusion, Social Problem, Criminal Incidence; Total Financing: 243.494 €; Portugal 2020 (70%) e Social Investment (30%). Source: https://inovacaosocial.portugal2020.pt/project/dar-te-3/?doing_wp_ cron=1724239140.3126349449157714843750 (accessed on 13 september 2024). This funding source had no role in the design of this study, data collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of data, writing of the manuscript, and the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Keywords

  • D’AR-TE
  • children and youth
  • intervention model
  • residential care

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An innovative intervention model for children and young people in residential care: the D’ART-TE project'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this