The Effect of Group-Based Learning Psychological Crisis Intervention on Mental Health State of Adolescents Affected by the Unrest Situation in Southern Thailand

Abstract

          This quasi-experimental research aimed to examine the effect of group-based learning psychological crisis intervention on mental health state of adolescents affected by the unrest  situation in southern Thailand. The sample was students aged 13-18 years studying in large high schools of southern Thailand, who were affected by the unrest situation in southern Thailand. The sample consisted of 52 students, selected using a purposive sampling. Twenty six  persons were randomly assigned to the experimental group, who received the group-based learning  psychological crisis intervention  and the other 26 persons to the control group. Research instruments included the questionnaires for personal information, Thai Mental Health Indicator–15 (TMHI-15) and the group-based learning psychological crisis intervention including the group-based learning and “psychological equilibrium” notebook. The intervention was conducted 3 times, once a week and each time lasted 90-120 minutes. All research instruments were content validated by 3 experts. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used for reliability testing of the Thai Mental Health Indicator–15 (TMHI-15), yielding a value as .81. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent t-test and chi-square test. The mean difference of mental health state was analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test.                           

           The results  revealed that after the intervention, the experimental group had a mean score of mental health  state significantly higher than that before attending the intervention (p < .05). In addition the experimental group who received the group-based learning psychological crisis intervention had a mean score of mental health state after intervention significantly higher than that of the control group (p < .05).

           The results of this research showed that the group-based learning psychological crisis intervention could promote mental health state among adolescents affected by the unrest situation. Therefore, teachers and health care providers should apply this intervention to enhance students’ ability in managing psychological crisis and to promote the mental health state of adolescents affected by the unrest situation in southern Thailand.