How can you measure the effectiveness of psychological first aid interventions?

1 The importance of evaluation

Evaluating PFA interventions is essential to ensure they are relevant, appropriate, ethical, and beneficial for the people who receive them. Evaluation can also help to identify the strengths and weaknesses of PFA delivery, improve the quality and consistency of PFA training and supervision, and inform the development and adaptation of PFA guidelines and tools. Moreover, evaluation can provide evidence of the impact and value of PFA interventions for funding, advocacy, and policy purposes.

2 The challenges of evaluation

Evaluating PFA interventions, however, is not without its challenges. A lack of a unified definition and framework makes it difficult to compare different approaches and outcomes. Moreover, the diversity and complexity of the contexts and populations where PFA is provided requires context-specific and culturally sensitive evaluation methods. Furthermore, ethical and practical issues arise when conducting evaluations in humanitarian settings, such as ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, safety, and minimal burden for all involved. Lastly, the scarcity and variability of the existing evidence on the effectiveness and best practices of PFA limits the availability of reliable evaluation tools and measures.

3 The strategies for evaluation

When planning and conducting an evaluation of PFA interventions, there are a few strategies to consider. It's important to define the purpose, scope, and audience of the evaluation and align them with the objectives, activities, and expected outcomes of the PFA intervention. Additionally, stakeholders should be involved in the design, implementation, and dissemination of the evaluation, making sure their participation is voluntary, informed, and respectful. The evaluation methods and indicators should be chosen with the context, population, and PFA intervention in mind and should capture both the process and impact of PFA delivery. A mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis is recommended for triangulation and verification of the findings. Existing evaluation tools can be adapted to fit the specific PFA intervention or new ones can be developed if needed. Finally, ethical and humanitarian standards should be followed when conducting an evaluation in crisis settings, while also addressing any potential risks or harms that may arise during or after the evaluation.

4 The examples of evaluation

Evaluation of PFA interventions can provide useful insights and lessons learned for future evaluation efforts. For example, Kar et al. (2017) used a pre-post design with self-reported questionnaires to evaluate the effectiveness of a PFA training program for community health workers in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake. The study found that the training improved knowledge, skills, attitudes, and confidence of the participants in providing PFA and that they applied the principles and actions in their work with affected communities. UNICEF (2016) used a participatory approach with focus group discussions, interviews, and observation to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of a PFA intervention for children and adolescents in Syria. The report revealed that the intervention increased psychosocial well-being, coping skills, and social support of the beneficiaries. Finally, Blanchet et al. (2016) conducted a systematic review of evidence on the effectiveness and best practices of PFA interventions in humanitarian settings. The review found limited and low-quality evidence on the impact of PFA interventions on mental health outcomes, which highlighted a need for more rigorous and standardized evaluation of such interventions.

5 The recommendations for evaluation

When evaluating PFA interventions, it is important to plan the evaluation early and allocate the necessary time, resources, and staff. Collaborating with other PFA providers and evaluators and sharing the evaluation results is also essential. Utilizing existing evaluation tools and measures while adapting them to the specific PFA intervention and context should also be done. Additionally, both quantitative and qualitative data and indicators should be included in order to measure both short-term and long-term outcomes of PFA delivery. Furthermore, it is important to respect the rights, dignity, and diversity of the PFA recipients and providers by ensuring their safety, privacy, and consent throughout the process. Lastly, following ethical and humanitarian guidelines and codes of conduct for conducting evaluation in crisis settings while addressing any potential risks or harms that may arise during or after the evaluation is also recommended.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?