An evaluation of the FRIENDS programme: a cognitive behaviour therapy intervention to promote emotional resilience
2005/06/07 by P Stallard, Paul Stallard, N Simpson +9 · 12 citations
Psychology · #Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development #Resilience and Mental Health #Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
paper · pdf · doi:10.1136/adc.2004.068163
Abstract
AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of the FRIENDS programme. METHODS: Uncontrolled before and after assessment of the FRIENDS programme, a 10 session cognitive behaviour therapy programme. A total of 213 children aged 9-10 years from six primary schools were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spence Children's Anxiety Scale, Culture Free Self-Esteem Questionnaire, qualitative assessment of acceptability. RESULTS: End of programme data from 197 children (92.5% of eligible sample) showed significantly lower rates of anxiety (t = 2.95, df = 384) and significantly improved levels of self-esteem (t = 3.13, df = 386). Significant improvements were obtained in over half of those children with the most severe emotional problems. A total of 190 children (89.2%) completed a qualitative assessment of acceptability: 154 (81%) thought it was fun, 147 (77.4%) would recommend it to a friend; 137 (72.8%) thought they had learned new skills, and 78 (41.1%) had helped someone else with their new skills. CONCLUSIONS: The FRIENDS programme appears to be an efficacious and acceptable way to promote emotional resilience (reduced anxiety and increased self-esteem) in primary school aged children, consistent with previous studies in Australia. Further controlled studies are needed to assess natural history of anxiety and self-esteem and whether benefits are maintained over time.
Cited by
- Study design of 'FRIENDS for Life': process and effect evaluation of an indicated school-based prevention programme for childhood anxiety and depression. [europepmc]
- Exploration of the influence of childhood trauma, combat exposure, and the resilience construct on depression and suicidal ideation among U.S. Iraq/Afghanistan era military personnel and veterans. [europepmc]
- Automatic control of negative emotions: evidence that structured practice increases the efficiency of emotion regulation. [europepmc]
- Use, acceptability and impact of booklets designed to support mental health self-management and help seeking in schools: results of a large randomised controlled trial in England. [europepmc]
- Assessing and Treating Child Anxiety in Schools. [europepmc]
- Anxiety and Interpretation of Ambiguity in Autistic Children, Typical Children and Their Mothers. [europepmc]
- Promoting mental health and wellbeing in schools: examining Mindfulness, Relaxation and Strategies for Safety and Wellbeing in English primary and secondary schools: study protocol for a multi-school, cluster randomised controlled trial (INSPIRE). [europepmc]
- Sensory processing sensitivity and culturally modified resilience education: Differential susceptibility in Japanese adolescents. [europepmc]
- The Impact of Cognitive-Behavioral Group Psycho-Education Program on Psychological Resilience, Irrational Beliefs, and Well-Being. [europepmc]
- A Qualitative Analysis of the Mental Health Training and Educational Needs of Firefighters, Paramedics, and Public Safety Communicators in Canada. [europepmc]
- An exploration and description of experiences of at-risk youth in a correctional center in Eswatini regarding a resilience intervention program. [europepmc]
- Evaluating the effectiveness of a social and emotional learning program among preschool children in Japan: an experimental cohort study. [europepmc]
Related