Super Skills for Life Effectiveness in the Online Modality

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).

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.