Social Validity evaluation of the FRIENDS for Life Program with Mexican Children

This study is the first social validity evaluation of the Spanish version of the FRIENDS for Life program with Mexican children. FRIENDS for Life is a cognitive-behavioral intervention aimed at increasing social and emotional competence and decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms in children. The program is designed to empower children and families by teaching relaxation techniques, coping and interpersonal skills, and positive thinking. Participants were 498 students, ages 9 to 11. Upon completion of the program, students, parents, and teachers were surveyed regarding their perceptions on the utility and enjoyability, and their global satisfaction. Results indicate that students, parents, and teachers evaluate the program as helpful and enjoyable. Gender differences were found, girls reported the program as more useful and enjoyable than boys. The skill that students and parents found more useful was changing negative thoughts into positive, and positive correlations were also found between level of satisfaction and outcome measures.