Evaluation of a Psychologically Informed Environment within youth refuge

RESEARCH PROFILE

Angie Jaman

Have a PIE and eat it too! Evaluation of a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) within youth refuge

Angie Jaman is a clinical psychologist and HSCU PhD candidate who has worked within youth refuge for almost a decade.

Along with her focus of supporting youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) to develop important emotional and psychosocial skills via group work and individual counselling, her other main role has been the implementation and fidelity of a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE).

This model is trauma-informed and needs-based and has five key principles: (1) focus on relationships; (2) psychological awareness; (3) safe and welcoming physical and social spaces; (4) training and support; and (5) evaluation. Angie has seen firsthand the benefits of this model for staff wellbeing and for YEH however, realised no evaluative research on PIE had been completed.

Her PhD therefore aims to: (a) outline the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of a PIE; (b) evaluate what outcomes PIE offers YEH; and (c) investigate staff and YEHs perspectives to determine barriers and enablers for implementation.

For more information: anda.jaman@monash.edu