Effectiveness of the Super Skills for Life programme in enhancing the emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents in residential care institutions in a low- and middle-income country: A randomised waitlist-controlled trial
Article
Article Title | Effectiveness of the Super Skills for Life programme in enhancing the emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents in residential care institutions in a low- and middle-income country: A randomised waitlist-controlled trial |
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ERA Journal ID | 13088 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Ramdhonee-Dowlot, Karishma (Author), Balloo, Kieran (Author) and Essau, Cecilia A. (Author) |
Journal Title | Journal of Affective Disorders |
Journal Citation | 278, pp. 327-338 |
Number of Pages | 12 |
Year | 2021 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0165-0327 |
1573-2517 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.09.053 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032720327488 |
Abstract | Background: The present study examined the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic prevention programme, Super Skills for Life (SSL), among children and adolescents with emotional problems in residential care institutions (RCIs) in the low- and middle-income country of Mauritius using a randomised waitlist-controlled trial (RCT). SSL is based on the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy, behavioural activation, social skills training, and uses video-feedback and cognitive preparation as part of the treatment. Methods: The RCT involved 100 children and adolescents aged 9 to 14 years, from six RCIs, randomly allocated to either an SSL intervention group (IG) or a waitlist-control (WLC) group. A set of questionnaires measuring internalising and externalising problems, emotion regulation and self-esteem, and experimental tasks measuring attentional bias and inhibitory control, were completed at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. Participants also completed a 2-min video speech task during the first and final sessions of the SSL intervention. Results: Children and adolescents in the IG showed significant improvements in internalising symptoms (e.g. anxiety and depression), externalising symptoms (e.g. conduct problems and hyperactivity), and inhibitory control, and an increase in adaptive (except putting into perspective strategy) and decrease in maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, at both post-intervention and follow-up. These findings were not replicated among children in the WLC. Limitations: The small sample size and lack of an active control group were the major limitations of this study. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic prevention programme for emotional problems in RCIs in a low- and middle-income country. |
Keywords | Anxiety/depression; Children/adolescents; Emotional problems; Low- and middle-income country; Residential care institutions; Super Skills for Life |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420313. Mental health services |
520304. Health psychology | |
520302. Clinical psychology | |
320221. Psychiatry (incl. psychotherapy) | |
Byline Affiliations | University of Roehampton, United Kingdom |
University of Surrey, United Kingdom | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
Funding source | Grant ID Roehampton University Scared Heart (RUSH) funding |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q6z9y/effectiveness-of-the-super-skills-for-life-programme-in-enhancing-the-emotional-wellbeing-of-children-and-adolescents-in-residential-care-institutions-in-a-low-and-middle-income-country-a-randomised
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SSL RCT_Mauritius (Accepted version).pdf | ||
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | ||
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