Super Skills for Life Effectiveness in Clinical Settings

Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Spanish Children: Efficacy of Super Skills for Life Transdiagnostic Treatment

Super Skills for Life (SSL) is a transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral protocol developed for children aged 6 to 12 with anxiety and comorbid problems (e.g., 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 aim of the study is to investigate the short- and long-term effects of SSL on internalizing and externalizing symptoms in Spanish children attending the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.

To validate eligibility children and their parents will complete several psychometrically robust and developmentally appropriate measures. Participants meeting inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to the conditions of the intervention group and the wait-list control group.

Parents and children from both groups will complete the same measures at baseline and post-treatment.

Parents and children from SSL will also complete these measures at 3 months follow-up, 6 months follow-up and 12 months follow-up.

The investigators will assess the benefits from pre-test to post-test in children participating in SSL compared to those in a wait-list control group on DSM-5 diagnostic remission, anxiety symptoms, anxiety impairment, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, behavioral problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer relationship problems, and prosocial behavior.

The investigators will also assess these variables in the intervention group at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months follow-up.

Ultimately, the goal of the study is to explore whether SSL can be a cost-effective psychological intervention for emotional disorders in the Spanish National Health System.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 8 - 12.
• Primary diagnosis of an anxiety disorder, a depressive disorder, and/or trauma- or stress-related disorder with anxiety and/or depressive symptoms.
• Speaking, reading, writing and understanding Spanish.
• Caregivers agree to attend all sessions and to receive feedback and suggestions.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Intellectual disability, behavioral symptoms, or autism spectrum symptoms whose severity precluded continued treatment.
• The child is at the same time in psychological treatment.
• The child is not on a stable dose of medication for at least 1 month prior to baseline assessment.