Support in the transition to adulthood
Early adulthood can be challenging for young people with neurodevelopmental conditions. Support needs are often intensified by major life events, such as moving out from your parents, the school-to-work transition, and transitions in healthcare. Support is often insufficient, which can have long-lasting negative effects on the individual’s future health and life chances. We conduct studies to learn more about the support needs of young adults, and how the support ideally should be delivered.
The TRANSITION-program
To meet the support needs of young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions and increase the likelihood of positive long-term outcomes, we have developed the TRANSITION-program. TRANSITION is a 20-week support program that combines workshops (group-based or online) with personalised support based on goal attainment scaling and principles from cognitive behavioural therapy. The aim is to facilitate progress within significant life domains (i.e., work, education, finance, housing/household management, health, leisure/participation in society, and relationships/social network). Preliminary results from psychiatric settings suggest positive results. Currently, we are testing the feasibility of the program in other populations and settings, including young adults with housing support and young people not in education, employment, or training. In these studies, we collaborate with municipalities from Region Uppsala and Region Stockholm. To better understand how TRANSITION can be implemented in the context of housing support for young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions, we have also conducted a qualitative description of current practice. In addition, the program has been translated to English in collaboration with colleagues at Curtin University, Perth, Australia. An online version is currently being evaluated in the Australian context. TRANSITION is supported by Forte, Trygg-Hansa, and Region Stockholm.
Remote delivery of housing support
In-depth interviews conducted with support workers across the country suggest that housing support increasingly is being delivered remotely. Support workers express both positive experiences and concerns. It is important that the young service users are involved in decisions about their support and how it is delivered. We are currently developing a model for shared decision making, through a series of workshops with young service users with autism and ADHD and their support workers. The end product will be a step-by-step guide for how to collaboratively explore possibilities for remote support. The feasibility of the model will be evaluated across municipalities in three regions, based on in-depth interviews and quantitative measures. The study is funded by Forte.
Mental health among young adults with housing support
A wide range of mental and behavioural disorders with an early onset can severely impair psychosocial functioning during the transition to adulthood, challenging the individual’s ability to fulfil the demands of adult roles. Young adults with conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, schizophrenia, and depressive disorders, can access social services support in the form of housing support. In our ongoing research, evaluating the TRANSITION-program for young adults receiving housing support, we have observed a need for greater understanding and support for the mental health needs of this vulnerable group. We are currently conducting a situational analysis, including the views of the young adults themselves and support workers. Data underpinning this initial step will be drawn from national registers and interviews with young adult service users, support workers, and representatives from the managerial level. In a second phase of the project, we will develop and evaluate an online program designed to improve the mental health in young adults in the context of housing support. The project is supported by Forte.