PRHAVIDA Program preliminary outcomes in children with clinical scores of anxiety, depression and stress

Abstract

Childhood is a stage full of challenges. Children go through various situations, positive and negative, requiring from them resources to face them. However, when events become oppressive, they may not be prepared for conflict resolution, which can result in psychological symptoms such as anxiety, stress and depression. An alternative to dealing with the challenges of childhood are interventions based on the Cognitive-Behavioral approach, designed to promote mental health with a focus on social and life skills. This article aims to present and evaluate the preliminary outcomes of the application of the Life Skills Promotion Program (PRHAVIDA) in children with clinical scores of anxiety, depression and stress. The study included 16 children aged between 8 and 10 years. The instruments used were: Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children – MASC; Child Stress Scale; and Children’s Depression Inventory. The study involved a pre-experimental design with application of assessment instruments before and after the intervention. The results found a statistically significant reduction in depression scores at post-test compared to the pre-test. There were no differences in anxiety and stress scores. The study raises the hypothesis that adjustments are needed in the program to meet the demand of children with anxiety and stress symptomatology. However, the program has positive effects for children’s depression symptoms and therefore contributes to the healthy development of children as well as fulfills its goal of being a promoter of child mental health.

Keywords: promotion of children’s mental health, life skills, cognitive-behavioral therapy.