Abstract
Applying innovative methodology, we explored the efficacy of SPARK Resilience Programme––a new universal school-based resilience-promoting programme––regarding effects on depression symptoms and resilience in a high risk population in England. Quantitative and qualitative methods were combined in an exploratory two cohort treatment/control design with one cohort serving as the control group (single assessment) and a subsequent cohort as the treatment group (assessed before and immediately after treatment as well as 6 and 12 months after treatment ended), involving a total of 438 11–13 year old girls, According to analyses, depression symptoms were significantly lower directly after treatment and at 6 months but no longer at 12 months. Resilience scores, on the other hand, were significantly higher in the treatment cohort compared to the year-ahead control cohort at post-treatment and both follow-up assessments. Qualitative results demonstrated beneficial teacher experience overall. The current study provides first evidence for the efficacy of SPARK Resilience Programme. Furthermore, the applied two cohort treatment/control mixed methods design proved helpful for the preliminary testing of a school-based universal intervention programme efficacy in an authentic setting.
Highlights
Child and adolescent mental health is increasingly at risk in Western societies [1,2,3]
The SPARK resilience programme was delivered to all children of the same cohort in year 7 (i.e. 6th grade) as part of the official curriculum at a girls-only comprehensive state funded school in East London, United Kingdom, in place of the standard Personal, Social, Health, Economic education curriculum (PSHE) which was delivered to the year-ahead control cohort
The current study aimed at empirically examining the treatment effects of the SPARK resilience programme, a new universal school-based intervention aimed at promoting resilience and preventing depression, featuring a novel but exploratory two cohort treatment/control
Summary
Child and adolescent mental health is increasingly at risk in Western societies [1,2,3]. Given the deleterious effects of depression and the observation of increases in adolescent mental health problems in many Western countries it is not surprising that there have been multiple efforts aimed at the promotion of emotional well-being and resilience in children as a means of combating mental health problems before they develop [10,11]. Most of these efforts have the same goal of equipping children––especially those at risk for mental health problems––with adaptive coping skills and related competencies in order to increase their resilience to life stress and future challenges. Many preventative programmes aim at the promotion and consolidation of such resilience-related individual attributes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
