| This dissertation builds upon an evaluation that was conducted at the end of a psychosocial intervention that was implemented to improve mental health and foster resilience among child and adolescent survivors after the 2008 Sichuan, China earthquake.;First, a comprehensive review was conducted of universal interventions conducted with children and adolescents after a disaster to examine theoretical and empirical findings. Of the 27 studies identified, only seven were informed by theory. Twenty-five studies demonstrated evidence that the intervention decreased distress symptoms and improved multiple functioning domains. However, the lack of theory creates a black box and presents challenges to program fidelity and replication as well as measurement of specific program component effects and cost-effectiveness.;Second, exploratory factor analysis of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) among a sample of 2,132 students in the control group found two resilience factors termed by Chinese scholars as: Rational Thinking: logic based on socially accepted cultural norms and Self-Awareness: rooted in an interdependent view of the self in relation to others and environmental factors. Consistent with previous studies, the CD-RISC demonstrated strong construct validity and adequate internal consistency. The stability of the model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis with data from 1,988 intervention participants.;Lastly, direct and indirect effects of the intervention were examined. Mean scores in CD-RISC did not differ between groups (p=0.67). Mean Rational Thinking was marginally higher (p=0.05) but lower for Self-Awareness (p=0.02) intervention versus controls. Mean PTSD was lower in the intervention than controls (p<0.001). The log odds of PTSD did not differ between groups (OR: 1.16, p=0.09). Rational Thinking and PTSD had similar parameter estimates that were negatively related in both groups. Self-Awareness was positively related with PTSD in both groups, but was larger in the intervention. The program focused mainly on strengthening individual traits, which may have heightened perceived variability of external forces that supersede internal capacities. The relationship between Risk Exposure and PTSD was negative for the intervention group. This may be attributed to attachment relationships with intervention caregivers and peers. Findings support the need for more cross-cultural approaches to understanding resilience and adaptive outcomes. |
