Evaluating a Peer-Led Family and Social Support Program for Refugee Families in Chicago Using Implementation Science and Design Methods

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a peer-led family and social strengthening group intervention called CAFES2 for refugee families. This pilot randomized trial uses a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation design to study the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of CAFES2, which addresses the complex mental health and social needs of refugee families from Arabic-speaking countries. The study aims to generate knowledge on family-based mental health support and implementation strategies for peer providers in community settings. The CAFES2 intervention includes an initial home visit followed by six multiple-family group sessions led by refugee peers. These sessions focus on family stressors, psychoeducation about trauma and displacement, emotion regulation, family and social strengths, family identity, and community resources. Families in the intervention group participate in these sessions in addition to any other services they are receiving. Families in the control group continue their usual care and receive healthy lifestyle materials. Participants include families with at least one adult caregiver and one child aged 12 or older, living together in Chicago for less than three years. Researchers will assess mental health symptoms, family and social support, and intervention feasibility and acceptability through questionnaires at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a six-week follow-up. The study includes ongoing monitoring of participant experiences and fidelity of the peer-led model. Total study duration extends through August 2026.

Hybrid Type 1 Randomized Pilot Trial of a Peer-led Family and Social Strengthening Group Intervention for Refugee Families