psychiatric social work

Problem–solving dialogical interventions to resolve

Psycho-social problems of excluded youth: A life skill approach









Praful P. Kapse1

Dr. Channaveer R.M. 2

Sandeep Jagdale3







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1- MSW Part – II student, Department of Social Work, Walchand College of Arts and Science, Solapur, Maharashtra. Phone: 09620339761, Email: raj_passin@yahoomail.com



2 & 3 – Faculty members, Department of Social Work, Walchand College of Arts and Science, Solapur, Maharashtra. Phone: 09481865044 Email: channaveer1@yahoo.com











Abstract

Background: Psycho-social problems of youth are outcome of social and interpersonal challenges that they face in their day-to-day life. More so, with the youths of slum communities, who are the excluded groups engaged in labour work, struggling to sustain their livelihood in the globalized economy. Generally, the excluded groups, due to their powerlessness, mounting external pressures and lack of mental health services, experience inadequacy of competence and lack of skills to cope with the life challenges.

Aim: The principal aim of study is to identify psycho-social problems and needs of youth, correspondingly design, employ and evaluate the problem-solving dialogical interventions, which are directed to generate social interactions to resolve the psycho-social problems.

Methods: The intervention study employed ex-post facto research design. Intervention group members (N=60) were randomly selected with their consent from three slum communities in Solapur city, Maharashtra. Qualitative and quantitative instruments were used to collect data. Intervention methodology was constructed based on the pre-intervention data applying Logical Framework Analysis (LFA).

Results: Our interventions were designed, executed and evaluated through participatory processes. Such evolved community based therapeutic mental health processes could able to relieve the psycho-social problems like hopelessness, worthlessness, irritation, worried, depressed, fear, low confidence and anxiety of youth in the slum communities, who lack the basic mental health services at disposal.

Conclusion: The intervention research need to adopt exclusion approach.

Key words: psycho-social problems, intervention research, excluded groups