Effectiveness of a School Wellbeing Programme for Internalising Problems in Irish Primary School Children

Effectiveness of a School Wellbeing Programme for Internalising Problems in Irish Primary School Children

Evaluating the Impact of a School Wellbeing Programme on Internalising Problems in Primary School Children

The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of a school-based multi-component universal programme for the reduction of internalising problems (i.e. anxiety and low mood) in primary school pupils.

Childhood and adolescence are important developmental phases for wellbeing and mental health. School has been noted in psychological literature to be a favourable environment for mental health initiatives, such as school-based programmes. Universal programmes are programmes delivered to all pupils irrespective of perceived need and have several advantages, including having a wide reach, avoiding the need for screening and are less stigmatising. A Lust for Life is a universal school-based multi-component intervention whose target is to build well-being and emotional resilience in children. The programme was informed by evidence-based psychological approaches including cognitive behaviour therapy, positive psychology and mindfulness and consists of six lessons, each delivered by the pupils' school teacher on a weekly basis. The lessons involve classroom discussions, videos, classroom activities and homework assignments. Study participants will complete the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale Short Format, Coping strategy indicator and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children pre-intervention. Following this, schools randomly assigned to the experimental group will receive A Lust for Life, while those randomly assigned to the control group will be placed on a sixteen-week waiting list. The questionnaire measures and a Brief Satisfaction Scale will be completed by participants at post-intervention. In addition, a six-week follow-up assessment will determine whether the effects of the programme are sustained over a period of time. The programme will be delivered in the waiting list control group schools after the six-week follow-up assessment.

A Lust for Life programme will be delivered to primary school pupils by their school teachers in six weekly lessons. Well-being and resilience will be promoted in each lesson through classroom discussions, videos, classroom activities and homework assignments.

A Lust for Life is a universal school-based multi-component programme whose target is to build well-being and emotional resilience in children. The programme was informed by evidence-based psychological approaches including mindfulness, cognitive behaviour therapy and positive psychology. It is delivered in six weekly lessons by the childrens' school teacher and involves classroom discussions, videos, classroom activities and homework assignments.

Symptoms of anxiety and low mood measured by the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale Short Form

33-item measure that measures three coping factors: seeking social support, problem-solving, and avoidance.

Inclusion Criteria: Child Enrolled in primary school in Ireland Obtain written informed consent from parents/guardians Provide written assent Exclusion Criteria: Failure to meet inclusion criteria

The de-identified data collected in this research will be archived. Other researchers may contact the investigators to access the de-identified data for use in research into anxiety, depression, coping skills and self-efficacy.

The data collected in this study will be made available for other researchers after a manuscript reporting on the study's findings has been accepted for publication.