Citation

Pannebakker FD, van Genugten L, Diekstra RFW, Gravesteijn C, Fekkes M, Kuiper R, Kocken PL. J. Sch. Health 2019; 89(7): 587-595.

Affiliation

Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/josh.12779

PMID

31032979

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The goal of the current study was to evaluate the effects of the Social Emotional Learning program Skills 4 Life on mental health and its risk factors self-esteem, self-efficacy, and social interaction skills in students of secondary schools.

METHODS: A cluster randomized controlled study was conducted, including 38 schools (66 classes; grades 7 to 9) for secondary education, with a 1 year and 20 months follow-up (teachers and students reports).

RESULTS: The intervention was effective in improving self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, and teacher-reported psychological problem behavior, all after 20 months. Stratified analyses showed effects in mainly lower educational level students.

CONCLUSION: The Skills 4 Life curriculum is effective in improving the mental health and self-efficacy among adolescents, especially for adolescents from lower educational level, a group that is most prone to ill mental health.

© 2019, American School Health Association.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; effect evaluation; mental health; prevention; school program