Abstract
Background: Super Skills for Life (SSL) is an innovative transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral prevention program that has demonstrated positive results targeting children’s internalizing problems. SSL has a strong component aimed at enhancing social competence, including strategies such as video-feedback with cognitive preparation. This study examined for the first time the immediate impact of SSL on improving social skills in young children with anxiety symptoms, as well as mediating factors predicting SSL anxiety outcomes. Method: Participants were 67 Spanish-speaking children aged 6-8 years old. Children were video-recorded and assessed behaviorally through a 2 minute speech task, before and after the 8-session program. Results: The results revealed significant positive behavioral changes related to children’ social skills in several domains. Depression acted as a mediator of change in pre- to post-intervention generalized anxiety scores. Conclusions: This study provides initial support for the usefulness of SSL to immediately improve social skills in young children with anxiety symptoms.
