322 - A META-ANALYTIC REVIEW ABOUT THE INTER-GROUP EFFICACY OF SUPER SKILLS FOR LIFE ON DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND EXTERNALIZING SYMPTOMS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Session: D06S001 - Child and Adolescent Mental Health 1
AUTHORS:
Amorós-Reche Víctor (Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Child and Adolescent Research Center ~ Elche ~ Spain) , Orgilés Mireia (Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Child and Adolescent Research Center ~ Elche ~ Spain) , Espada Jose P (Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Child and Adolescent Research Center ~ Elche ~ Spain) , Botella Juan (Autonomous University of Madrid ~ Madrid ~ Spain)
Abstract text:
The Super Skills for Life (SSL) program was designed to prevent anxiety and depressive symptoms among children and adolescents from a transdiagnostic approach. Several studies have tested its efficacy in reducing emotional symptoms, but also conduct problems. The present study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of SSL in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety and externalizing symptoms in children and adolescents, in comparison to a control group. Relevant literature was identified through comprehensive searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycInfo, and gray literature sources. 6 studies with control group and the outcomes of interest were included in the analysis, conducted in Spain (k = 4), United Kingdom (k = 1) and Malaysia (k = 1). Random effects models were fitted, with significant differences in changes between intervention and control group found for the three outcomes: depression (g = .41), anxiety (g = .51) and externalizing symptoms (g = .31). Moderation of variables concerning participants and the intervention delivery format was examined. Despite the heterogeneity among studies, the findings support the efficacy of Super Skills for Life in reducing anxiety, depressive and externalizing symptoms.