Kristy M Johnstone1, Tracey Middleton1, Eva Kemps1, Junwen Chen2. 1. School of Psychology, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. 2. Research School of Psychology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of two universal school-based prevention programs, Emotion Regulation (ER) and Behavioral Activation (BA), by increasing resilience to manage excessive worry, a transdiagnostic feature across anxiety and depression. METHOD:Primary school children (N = 295; 52.5% female; 8-13 years) from five Australian schools were cluster randomized to an ER, BA or usual class control condition. Outcome measures included resilience, worry, anxiety, and depression symptomology; ER and BA were measured as potential mediators. Participants completed measures at pre- and postprogram, and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS:Children in the BA condition showed increased resilience at 6 months. Expressive suppression mediated the effects of both programs on worry. CONCLUSION: The current study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of two universal school-based prevention programs, ER and BA, by increasing resilience to manage excessive worry, a transdiagnostic feature across anxiety and depression.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of two universal school-based prevention programs, Emotion Regulation (ER) and Behavioral Activation (BA), by increasing resilience to manage excessive worry, a transdiagnostic feature across anxiety and depression. METHOD: Primary school children (N = 295; 52.5% female; 8-13 years) from five Australian schools were cluster randomized to an ER, BA or usual class control condition. Outcome measures included resilience, worry, anxiety, and depression symptomology; ER and BA were measured as potential mediators. Participants completed measures at pre- and postprogram, and at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS:Children in the BA condition showed increased resilience at 6 months. Expressive suppression mediated the effects of both programs on worry. CONCLUSION: The current study aimed to provide a preliminary evaluation of two universal school-based prevention programs, ER and BA, by increasing resilience to manage excessive worry, a transdiagnostic feature across anxiety and depression.