SP – Body image, psychological health and TABU concerns in migrant youth and implications for their education Erasmus Project

Project Title

SP – Body image, psychological health and TABU concerns in migrant youth and implications for their education

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for youth

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Integration of refugees; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy) ; Quality Improvement Institutions and/or methods (incl. school development)

Project Summary

Psychosocial health is critical to fostering students’ ability and motivation to perform well at school. Especially, poor body image and appearance concerns are important aspects of adolescent psychosocial health and development. An estimated 50-70% of students in Western societies are dissatisfied with some aspect of their appearance (McCabe & Ricciardelli, 2004). Further, a large-scale study of 47 schools across Europe found that the most common reason for teasing/bullying was differences in physical appearance (British Council, 2008). Migrant populations are also at risk for poor body image, with increased social pressure to conform to Western ideals of beauty, dress and appearance during the acculturation and social integration process. Poor body image and appearance-related discrimination is a significant concern for the education sector as they both have been associated with poor school performance and psychological and physical health problems including eating disorders, drug and alcohol use, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, depression and difficulties to integrate into society. Moreover, students who are concerned about their appearance or experience appearance-related bullying are less likely to attend school. One of the main reasons for drop out is psychological health issues (School dropout and completion, Markussen 2011).

The objectives are: Develop, implement and evaluate a training package for Youth workers in education who deal with refugees and migrants to: Increase awareness of appearance issues, including; body image, appearance concerns, TABU, and appearance-related teasing, bullying and discrimination and its impact on integration for migrants/refugees.
The participants will mainly consist of youth workers and potential youth workers, but some trainers will be involved in each organisation for curriculum development and testing.
The project foresees 5 transnational meetings, a national report, a pedagogic report, course development, piloting, finalizing the training materials, joint short time training event, blended mobility week and multiplier events.

We will develop a course with 5 modules: 1- Social determinants, 2- Interventions, 3- Cultural and gender issues, 4- Psychological issues on body image, 5- Specific issues for Migrants/refugees. In addition there will be a theoretical report from each country about situation and a pedagocical report as a basis for the course.

Methodology will be desk top research, development, testing, evaluation, training staff, implementation and multiplying.

Impact foreseen:
-Improved competences, linked to their professional youth work: the trainings aim to create an active and inclusive youth work base and enhance their exploring possibilities for inclusion of refugees and migrant youth. This is in line with the study of the European Commission “Working with young people: the value of youth work in the EU” , that identifies the factors that lead to successful youth work outcomes and describes the following as elements of quality youth work: “The youth worker’s relationship with young people; Active outreach to young people in need of help and support; Flexibility, accessibility and adapting to the needs of young people; Learning opportunities, goal setting and recognition of achievements;
– Broader understanding of practices, policies and research in relation to young people with refugee/migrant background or those at risk of marginalization and their body image and TABU concerns..
– Increased capacity to trigger changes in terms of inclusion of new groups and understand their concerns within their organisations: Youth workers will learn how to work evidence based towards young people with refugee/migrant background with body image and TABU concerns
– Greater understanding and responsiveness to social and cultural diversity;

Long term benefits:
Enhanced quality provision in youth workers ability to deal with the psychosocial issues migrants/refugees have.
New youth organisations use our training materials and improve their staff competence in this field.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 136152 Eur

Project Coordinator

Godalen Videregående Skole & Country: NO

Project Partners

• HOEGSKOLAN KRISTIANSTAD
• SOLIDARIDAD SIN FRONTERAS
• IASIS