Our studies targeting preschool and school
Trauma-aware care and children's resilience
Through a series of controlled studies conducted over an extended period, we evaluate the short- and long-term effects of a psychoeducational Trauma-Informed Care program conducted by Save the Children, directed at preschool and school staff.
We evaluate potential effects on staff’s perceived professional competence, well-being, knowledge of trauma-informed approaches, and their understanding of children's behavior. We further examine whether different social identities (gender, ethnicity, social class) and professional experience interact with ability to meet children with a trauma-informed approach. Finally, we analyze whether power dynamics and various forms of hierarchy influence teachers’ readiness to adapt their approach to children with potentially traumatic experiences.
We also conduct qualitative studies, using focus group interviews with school and preschool staff with focus on their experiences of Trauma-Informed Care training and its subsequent implementation. Finally, we conduct participatory research with students, highlighting children's own voices and perspectives, with a focus on their experiences of safety and well-being in the school environment.