Interviews with previous students
Farah Alsaqa
When did you write your thesis at CHAP?
I wrote my thesis at CHAP during the winter-spring term of 2024.
What was the project about?
The title is "Before Teaching Recovery Technique (TRT), I could not dare to express my feelings to anyone; now I can share them with my parents and siblings." with the sub-title "Assessing accompanied refugee youths' perceptions of trauma support groups – a qualitative interview study."
The background for the thesis: The increased number of refugee youth in Sweden in 2015 provoked the capacity of the Swedish mental health system to meet the need for treatment of war-related trauma and high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therefore, Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT), a community-based intervention rooted in trauma-focused cognitive therapy, was implemented to meet the need. This study focused only on accompanied refugee youths who experienced symptoms of PTSD.
The study aimed to explore how accompanied refugee youths who received TRT perceived the intervention. My supervisors were Georgina Warner (main supervisor), associate professor in child health and welfare, and Sandra Gupta Löfving (co-supervisor), PhD student.
How was it to do a thesis/master’s dissertation at CHAP?
Writing a thesis is a long journey with its ups and downs. It requires time, discipline, and interest in the subject. But even if it's my work and could be experienced alone, I would never have done it without my supervisor's support. It was an excellent opportunity to be at CHAP, especially with my supervisors Georgina and Sandra, as they made me feel like their colleague, not just a student. I learned a lot from their knowledge, and their work inspired me. Also, being at the CHAP office was very friendly, and felt like being around family. I met people from different backgrounds who were doing great work and who greatly inspired me.
I am thankful for the rich discussion that I got from my supervisors to accomplish my thesis and understand the importance of our work. The subject captured my heart and passion for the people I wrote about. I felt the urge to make those youth voices heard and understood, which made me enjoy writing the thesis, especially analyzing the results of the qualitative data.
Did your work result in any publication?
Part of my thesis work is about to be published together with another paper, which is written by my supervisor, Sandra Gupta Löfving.
Pavithra Ashok
When did you write your thesis at CHAP?
I wrote my thesis at CHAP from Jan 2023 to May 2023.
What was the project about?
The project aimed to explore the relationship between early emotional and behavioral issues and the utilization of habilitation services among children in the Uppsala Region.
How was it to do a thesis/master’s dissertation at CHAP?
I had the opportunity to be supervised by Natalie Durbeej, with Anna Fäldt as my co-supervisor, during my research at CHAP. It was a positive experience working with both of them. Natalie was a supportive mentor, providing helpful feedback and insights that guided me through my project. Her support played an important role in my development. Both Natalie and Anna offered valuable mentorship throughout the process, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with them. My time at CHAP while writing my thesis was a rewarding learning experience.
Did your work result in any publication?
Yes, we published my thesis on PLOS One in May 2024, with the title "Early emotional and behavioural problems predict use of habilitation services among children: Findings from a longitudinal follow-up study"
Salma Eltahir Mohammed
When did you write your thesis at CHAP?
I completed my master’s thesis in Global Health in spring 2020 at Uppsala University.
What was the project about?
The project title was The Cantril Ladder as a Measure of Well-Being and Life Satisfaction Among Refugee Youth Experiencing Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress. My supervisor was Georgina Warner.
My thesis focused on evaluating the effectiveness of the Cantril Ladder as a measure of well-being and life satisfaction among refugee youth experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms.
How was it to do a thesis/master’s dissertation at CHAP?
Working under Georgina Warner's supervision and with the CHAP research group was an enriching and positive experience. The supportive atmosphere was instrumental in navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Did your work result in any publication?
The findings from my thesis contributed to a publication titled "The Cantril Ladder as a Measure of Well-Being and Life Satisfaction Among Refugee Youth Experiencing Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress."