Translation, adaptation and preliminary efficacy of the My FRIENDS youth program among Pakistani adolescent school girls
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Paula Maria Barrett: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2824-4560
Cheuk Yan Lau: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0754-7418
Abstract
Pakistan is a developing country where a surge in the prevalence of mental health concerns, such as anxiety, is becoming a growing concern in adolescents. This necessitates a focus on identifying and supporting adolescents at risk. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) based social and emotional learning programs have a large body of empirical evidence supporting their effectiveness across other cultures. However, a dearth of such programs in Pakistan hinders timely prevention of mental health concerns. The pilot study aimed (1) to translate and culturally adapt the My FRIENDS Youth Program into Urdu for Pakistani adolescents and (2) to examine the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the adapted program among adolescent girls through pilot test. The adapted version of My FRIENDS Youth Program was tested (N = 34) using a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, non-equivalent control group design. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from a mainstream school (intervention group) and a tuition academy (control group). The intervention group received the adapted program, while the control group did not receive any intervention during the study period. The primary outcome measures used were Screen for Children Anxiety Related Emotional Disorder (SCARED), Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Social Validity Questionnaire for checking the program’s preliminary efficacy. Baseline analyses indicated no significant differences between groups on demographic variables or outcome measures. ANCOVA results suggested post-intervention improvements in emotional and behavioral problems. LMM analyses, which accounted for within-subject correlations and individual variability, revealed significant reductions in generalized anxiety and emotional and behavioral problems in the intervention group, while other anxiety subtypes and prosocial behavior did not show significant change. Findings revealed that more than half of the participants learnt the program skills indicated by the social validity measure. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence supporting the cultural feasibility and potential effectiveness of the adapted My FRIENDS Youth Program in reducing generalized anxiety and emotional and behavioral problems among Pakistani adolescents. Mixed outcomes across anxiety subtypes highlight the need for larger, randomized trials to further establish effectiveness.
Keywords
Adaptation, adolescents implementation, My FRIENDS youth program, Pakistan, translation
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Publication Title
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Arts and Humanities
Copyright
subscription content
Comments
Khalid, H., Hassan, S. M. U., Malik, T. A., Tariq, I., Waseem, T., Barrett, P. M., & Lau, C. Y. (2026). Translation, adaptation and preliminary efficacy of the My FRIENDS youth program among Pakistani adolescent school girls. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-026-01091-9