Effectiveness of the program Super Skills For Life in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in young Spanish children

Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic prevention program designed for children with anxiety and depressive symptoms based on cognitive-behavioral therapy. This study is a trial of the efficacy of the SSL program to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in a representative sample of Spani...

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Published inPsicothema Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 298 - 304
Main Authors Fernández-Martínez, Iván, Morales, Alexandra, Espada, José P, Essau, Cecilia A, Orgilés, Mireia
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Spain Colegio Oficial De Psicologos Del Principado De Asturias 01.08.2019
Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos (PSICODOC)
Subjects
Anxiety
Anxiety - prevention & control
Anxiety Disorders - prevention & control
Child
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - methods
Depression - prevention & control
Depressive Disorder - prevention & control
Female
Humans
Male
Mental depression
Parents
Program Evaluation
Quality of Life
Schools
Self Report
Spain
Waiting Lists
Spain
España
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Summary:Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic prevention program designed for children with anxiety and depressive symptoms based on cognitive-behavioral therapy. This study is a trial of the efficacy of the SSL program to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in a representative sample of Spanish children aged 6 to 8. This cluster randomized controlled trial involved 123 Spanish-speaking children recruited from 10 schools. Schools were the unit of randomization, and were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions: intervention group (SSL) and waiting list control (WLC) group. Assessments were conducted before and after the 8-week intervention. Generalized estimating equations showed that, compared with WLC, the intervention significantly reduced emotional symptoms of anxiety and depression. Significant improvements were also found in specific symptoms of anxiety disorders, and in the interference of anxiety in the child´s life. The findings of this study provide initial support for the immediate effects of SSL, suggesting that it is a valuable resource for the early reduction of anxiety and depressive symptoms in young Spanish-speaking children.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-News-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
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ISSN:0214-9915
1886-144X
DOI:10.7334/psicothema2018.336