Efficacy of a school-based mental health intervention among Zambian youth: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: While many children in Africa face notable psychological problems, the majority do not receive needed mental health services. The My FRIENDS Youth Program, a universal cognitive-behavioral intervention for anxiety prevention and resilience enhancement, has demonstrated effectiveness across cultures in children and adolescents. This study explores whether the program's effectiveness extends to Zambian children. Participants were 75 children and adolescents (53% female, ages 10-15) attending low-income schools in Zambia. Four schools were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 44) or waitlist control (n = 31). The intervention consisted of 10 weekly sessions plus two booster sessions administered in group format. Assessments were conducted at pre-intervention, immediately po

SUBMITTER: Saasa S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12037358 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature