A Universal Mental Health Promotion Program that Demonstrates Psychosocial Benefits for Elementary School Students Who Perceive Low Emotional Self-Efficacy

ABSTRACT

Using a quasi-experimental design with no control groups, this pilot study aimed to test the effectiveness of a universal mental health promotion program for elementary school students in an underserved United States-Mexico border community. A total of eighty-five fifth and sixth grade students participated in this program and completed the emotional domain of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children before and after the intervention. Preliminary program benefits were identified among students who perceived low emotional self-efficacy prior to program participation. The program satisfaction rate was over 60%. About 70% of the participants expressed both confidence and competence in using calming tools for future stressful events. This study supports the use of occupational- and activity-based programs in public elementary schools that serve predominantly Hispanic students from low socioeconomic households. Implications for future occupational therapy practice and research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Emotional self-efficacy
• elementary schools
• mental health services
• Hispanic children
• school-based occupational therapy

Acknowledgments

Dr Lin wants to express her sincere gratitude to the Occupational Therapy Program, faculty, and Classes of 2019 and 2020 students for the participation and ongoing support to this research project. Dr. Lin also wants to acknowledge the REL Washington Elementary for their enthusiasm and dedication to this collaborative project and school mental health.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.