Benefits of a new socio-emotional learning program in reducing psychopathological symptoms and in promoting global socio-emotional skills, from the perspective of children

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the perceptions of children aged eight to 12 years old who participated in the new short-term socio-emotional learning program “O Mundo dos Intergalácticos” about the evolution of psychopathological symptoms (anxiety, depression and stress) and overall socioemotional skills from pretest to post-test and follow-up (six months), considering gender and age group (8-9 vs. 10-12 years). A total of 95 children aged 8 to 12 years completed the Anxiety, Stress and Depression Scales and the scale Para mim é fácil at pre-test, post-test and six months after the participation in the intervention program (followup). The results showed that younger (8-9 years) and older (10-12 years) children of both sexes perceived a reduction in psychopathological symptoms and an improvement in overall socioemotional skills from pre-test to post-test and follow-up.