Feasibility and Usability Study of an Internet-based Intervention Against Revictimization of Youth in Care and Care Leavers (EMPOWER YOUTH).

IF 2.2 Q2 FAMILY STUDIES

Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma Pub Date : 2026-04-23 eCollection Date: 2026-09-01 DOI:10.1007/s40653-026-00886-3

Betteke Maria van Noort, Olivia Lucia Marie Emmerich, Laura Wolfermann, Laurence Reuter, Birgit Wagner

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Youth in care, either institutionalized, foster or adoptive care, or care leavers (Y-IC) are considered a high-risk group for (re-)victimization experiences. Repeated victimization experiences are associated with far-reaching negative consequences. The current study evaluates a newly developed internet-based prevention program against victimization, called EMPOWER YOUTH, in an uncontrolled feasibility and usability pilot study. A mixed methods approach was chosen to evaluate user experiences, usability, acceptance, and adherence, both qualitatively in focus groups and quantitatively via the following questionnaires: Perceived Website Usability Scale (PWU-G) and Visual Aesthetics of Website Inventory (VisAWI). A total of 38 Y-IC registered for the study, of which 21 (age M = 16.65 years, SD = 1.52, range = 14-21 years) participated in the baseline assessment. Ten participants took part in the post assessment, with a dropout rate of 41%. Usability (PWU-G) and aesthetics (VisAWI) were rated above average (M ± SD = 5.76 ± 0.84; M ± SD = 5.86 ± 0.52). Two main categories were derived from the focus groups (n = 8), with four subcategories respectively: a) motivation for participation, b) emotional experiences, c) cognitive experiences, d) behavioral changes and future-oriented experiences, e) comprehensibility of and satisfaction with the content, f) functionality of individual elements, g) evaluation of the intervention aesthetics and design, and h) recommendations. The feasibility of EMPOWER YOUTH was confirmed with a high level of acceptance by its users. Minor adaptations were implemented based on user feedback to prohibit high dropout-rates.

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以网际网路为基础的防止青少年再受害的干预措施（赋权青年）的可行性及可用性研究。

青少年在照顾，无论是机构，寄养或收养照顾，或照顾离开（Y-IC）被认为是（再）受害经历的高风险群体。反复的受害经历与深远的负面影响有关。目前的研究在一项不受控制的可行性和可用性试点研究中评估了一项新开发的基于互联网的预防受害计划，称为赋权青年。我们选择了一种混合的方法来评估用户体验、可用性、接受度和依从性，包括在焦点小组中进行定性评估，并通过以下问卷进行定量评估：感知网站可用性量表（PWU-G）和网站库存视觉美学（VisAWI）。共有38名Y-IC注册入组，其中21名（年龄M = 16.65岁，SD = 1.52，范围= 14-21岁）参加了基线评估。10名参与者参加了后评估，辍学率为41%。可用性（PWU-G）和美观性（VisAWI）评分高于平均水平（M±SD = 5.76±0.84;M±SD = 5.86±0.52）。从焦点小组（n = 8）中得出两个主要类别，分别分为四个子类别：a)参与动机，b)情感体验，c)认知体验，d)行为改变和面向未来的体验，e)对内容的可理解性和满意度，f)单个元素的功能，g)对干预美学和设计的评价，h)建议。授权青年的可行性得到了用户的高度认可。根据用户反馈实施了一些小的调整，以防止高辍学率。

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来源期刊

Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma Multiple-

CiteScore

3.00

自引率

6.70%

发文量

期刊介绍： Underpinned by a biopsychosocial approach, the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma presents original research and prevention and treatment strategies for understanding and dealing with symptoms and disorders related to the psychological effects of trauma experienced by children and adolescents during childhood and where the impact of these experiences continues into adulthood. The journal also examines intervention models directed toward the individual, family, and community, new theoretical models and approaches, and public policy proposals and innovations. In addition, the journal promotes rigorous investigation and debate on the human capacity for agency, resilience and longer-term healing in the face of child and adolescent trauma. With a multidisciplinary approach that draws input from the psychological, medical, social work, sociological, public health, legal and education fields, the journal features research, intervention approaches and evidence-based programs, theoretical articles, specific review articles, brief reports and case studies, and commentaries on current and/or controversial topics. The journal also encourages submissions from less heard voices, for example in terms of geography, minority status or service user perspectives. Among the topics examined in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma: The effects of childhood maltreatment Loss, natural disasters, and political conflict Exposure to or victimization from family or community violence Racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation or class discrimination Physical injury, diseases, and painful or debilitating medical treatments The impact of poverty, social deprivation and inequality Barriers and facilitators on pathways to recovery The Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma is an important resource for practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and academics whose work is centered on children exposed to traumatic events and adults exposed to traumatic events as children.