Newcomer Youth Resilience: A Systematic Review of Resilience Interventions and Youth Perspectives of Resilience

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Date

2026-03-26

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Abstract

Newcomer youth possess many strengths and have important insights about their lives; however, they have infrequently been viewed as experts or given the opportunity to co-lead research. This integrated article dissertation uses youth-centered strategies to explore how newcomer youth experience and conceptualize resilience, and examines interventions that aim to bolster their well-being and resilience. The first study (Chapter 2), a mixed systematic review, examined the efficacy of psychosocial interventions delivered in school and community settings to support the well-being of refugee youth. Thirty-four studies were included and quantitative results found that CBT interventions reported the most positive results overall. Youth perceived benefits of interventions were qualitatively synthesized, and an overarching theme of coping was identified along with three subthemes: increased connection, decreased negative feelings, and increased well-being. Findings demonstrate that refugee youth benefit from evidence-based psychosocial interventions in school and community settings.

Study two (Chapter 3) used youth participatory action research (YPAR) strategies to understand newcomer youths’ views on resilience. Through photography and group discussions eight youth co-creators shared their lived experiences and co-developed a conceptualization of resilience, which was disseminated at a local conference and community organization for immediate impact. Researcher-led reflexive thematic analysis of group discussions identified five themes contributing to resilience: faith is foundational, growing towards my future, nurturing my wellbeing and self-worth, relationships give life meaning, and resources to build a life. Findings illustrate an interdependent understanding of resilience and extend existing bioecological frameworks.

Finally, study three (Chapter 4), used qualitative interviews to explore youths’ reflections on participatory research, including their feedback and recommendations, and their experience as co-creators. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we developed six themes: a bird without their wings: adjusting to life in Canada, building my resilience, making future research better, sharing as a common value, strength through community, and we have a voice in this country: learning to express myself. These findings underscore the positive development potential of YPAR to empower and build new skills and gain important insight into newcomer youths lived experience of adjustment, challenges, and resilience. Together, this research highlights newcomer youth voice and deepens our understanding of resilience.

Summary for Lay Audience

Newcomer youth have many strengths and knowledge about their lives, but they are not often seen as experts or asked to lead research that affects their lives. This dissertation investigates what newcomer youth think supports their well-being and helps them to cope with difficulties. It also looks at programming designed to support their mental health and well-being in schools and communities. In study one (Chapter Two), we reviewed 34 intervention studies to understand how effectively they support the mental health and wellbeing of refugee children and youth in school and community locations. Results showed that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), an evidence-based intervention that works to change thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, showed positive benefits. Youth also described what they found helpful about these programs, and we developed three key themes to describe them: increased connection, decreased negative feelings, and increased well-being. This shows that mental health programming can be helpful for refugee youth in school and community settings. The second study involved newcomer youth as co-researchers. Using photography and group discussions, newcomer youth shared their views on resilience, challenges they have faced, and together developed a definition of resilience. Five themes were developed: faith is foundational, growing towards my future, nurturing my wellbeing and self-worth, relationships give life meaning, and resources to build a life. Results help us better understand that resilience involves giving and receiving support from the important people in their lives. In study three, newcomer youth were interviewed to find out what it was like to be co-researchers, and their advice for future research. We developed six themes to describe what they shared: a bird without their wings: adjusting to life in Canada, building my resilience, making future research better, sharing as a common value, strength through community, and we have a voice in this country: learning to express myself. Overall, this research shows that when youth are involved in research, we learn important information about their well-being and support them to learn new skills and build confidence.

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Keywords

Newcomer youth, Resilience, Participatory research, Systematic review

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/39506

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