VAST Study
Locally validated instruments are essential to accurately assess mental health in refugee children.
The VAST study focused on validating common mental health screening tools in a subsample of the BIOPATH study through clinical interviews conducted by a local clinical psychologist. The aims of the study were to:
- Explore the reliability and validity of screening tools for emotional and behavioural disorders when used with Syrian children in a humanitarian context
- Identify the main challenges in conducting clinical interviews and assigning diagnosis
- Discuss the wider implications of mental health diagnoses in refugee children
Team and Collaborators:
- Queen Mary University of London (PI: Dr Fiona McEwen, Prof Michael Pluess)
- Institute for Development, Research, Advocacy and Applied Care (IDRAAC; Prof Elie Karam)
- Médecins du Monde (MdM; Patricia Moghames)
- American University of Beirut (AUB; Dr Tania Bosqui)
Funding
- The VAST study was funded by TIES/NYU as part of the 3EA | MENAT Measurement Consortium (Subaward: S4323-04).
See here, for a report of the study results.
See here, for copies of the culturally adapted and validated measures.