Using hair biomarkers to examine social-emotional resilience in adolescence: A feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The SKY Schools Program combines breath-based techniques and a social-emotional learning curriculum. We examined its effects on objective physiological biomarkers, including hair cortisol (HCC, chronic stress measure) and hair oxytocin (HOC, social affiliation measure), as well as behavioral (youth risk behaviors) and mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression).

Methods

The SKY Schools program was adapted for post-pandemic restrictions (i.e., staff shortages, no lessons requiring writing, limited weekly follow-ups) and implemented among 7th grade students (daily in-person 40-min sessions for three weeks during physical education classes). Longitudinal assessments were obtained at baseline (T1, February 2022, N = 21), post-intervention (T2, June 2022, N = 20), and

SUBMITTER: Rovnaghi CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11925592 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature