Super Skills for Life Effectiveness in the Online Modality
Condition: Depressive Disorder; Depressive Symptoms; Anxiety Disorders; Anxiety Disorders and Symptoms; Mood Disorders; Child Mental Disorder; Emotional Disorder
MeSH terms: Anxiety Disorders; Depressive Disorder; Depression; Mental Disorders; Mood Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the transdiagnostic program Super Skills for
      Life (SSL). This protocol targets children aged 8 to 12 with emotional problems (anxiety,
      depression, low self-esteem, and lack of social skills). SSL consists of eight sessions
      targeting common risk factors for internalizing disorders such as cognitive distortions,
      avoidance, emotional management, low self-esteem, social skills deficits, and coping
      strategies. The present research focuses on assessing the effectiveness of SSL applied online
      (through a virtual platform).
    

Detailed description: 
      After selecting the children based on the online questionnaires completed by the parents
      (preintervention assessment) and inclusion/exclusion criteria, they were randomly allocated
      to the conditions of the intervention group and the wait-list control group. Parents and
      children from both groups completed the same measures at baseline, post-treatment, and 12
      months follow-up. Children in the experimental group received the SSL program by the virtual
      platform.

      The objective of the study is to evaluate the benefits of the Super Skills for Life protocol
      applied online. For this purpose, the researchers will test to what extent the experimental
      group decreases its anxiety symptoms, anxiety impairment, depressive symptoms, behavioral
      problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer relationship problems, and increase its
      self-esteem and prosocial behaviors, compared to the control group.

      In conclusion, the purpose of the study is to explore whether SSL implemented online can be a
      cost-effective psychological intervention to prevent emotional problems in Spanish children.
    

Intervention name(s): Super Skills for Life program
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): Children in the experimental group received eight sessions of the Super Skills for Life protocol. The intervention was implemented using a structured manual for the therapist and a workbook for the children [Orgilés, M., Espada, J.P., Ollendick, T.H. & Essau, C. (2022). Programa Super Skills. Manual del aplicador. Elche, ES: Universidad Miguel Hernández]. The intervention was administered via an online virtual platform for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately one hour.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Intervention model description: Study participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The control group did not receive any intervention during the eight-week duration of the program. However, both groups underwent pretest and posttest assessments. Children assigned to the control group will receive the intervention after the 12-month follow-up assessment.
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: Super Skills for Life; emotional problems; internalizing problems; children; anxiety; depression