Effectiveness of the Super Skills for Life programme in enhancing the emotional wellbeing of children and adolescents in residential care institutions in a low- and middle-income country: A randomised waitlist-controlled trial

The present study examined the effectiveness of a transdiagnostic prevention programme, Super Skills for Life (SSL), among children and adolescents with emotional problems in residential care institutions (RCIs) low- middle-income country Mauritius using randomised waitlist-controlled trial (RCT). SSL is based on principles cognitive behavioural therapy, activation, social skills training, uses video-feedback preparation as part treatment. RCT involved 100 aged 9 to 14 years, from six RCIs, randomly allocated either an intervention group (IG) or waitlist-control (WLC) group. A set questionnaires measuring internalising externalising problems, emotion regulation self-esteem, experimental tasks attentional bias inhibitory control, were completed at baseline, post-intervention 3-month follow-up. Participants also 2-min video speech task during first final sessions intervention. Children IG showed significant improvements symptoms (e.g. anxiety depression), conduct hyperactivity), increase adaptive (except putting into perspective strategy) decrease maladaptive strategies, both These findings not replicated WLC. small sample size lack active control major limitations this study. This provides evidence programme RCIs country.