A new study from Örebro University's PIA-project shows that bilingual support programs for newly arrived parents can significantly increase their confidence and promote integration. The research, published in the scientific journal BMC Psychology, evaluated a parent support program targeting 53 parents who recently settled in Sweden, speaking Arabic, Dari, or Somali, with at least one child aged 12-16 years.
According to the study, a short parent education program can strengthen newly arrived parents' trust in their own abilities and increase their sense of participation in society. Metin Özdemir, a psychology researcher at Örebro University who leads the PIA-project, stated that making people feel valuable and competent is crucial for successful integration.
The starting point is that all parents want their children's best. Our message is that they are already good parents, but there may be special challenges in raising children in a new country and a new culture
The program consists of four meetings and a follow-up one month later, uniquely featuring bilingual group leaders who themselves have migration backgrounds. This approach allows conversations to occur in participants' native languages while addressing the specific challenges of raising children in a new country and culture.
The research was published on April 9, 2026, through Örebro University's press release, highlighting the university's ongoing work in supporting immigrant integration through evidence-based programs.