title: Well-being therapy in school settings: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is increasing interest in the psychobiological mechanisms of resilience and psychological well-being. It is conceivable that activation of such mechanisms in the school setting may entail long-term benefits, both in terms of the developmental process and of prevention of distress. This study wants to apply and test the efficacy of a school-based intervention protocol derived from well-being therapy (WBT) compared to cognitive-behavioral strategies.
  
  
  METHODS
  School interventions were performed in a population of 111 students randomly assigned to: (a) a protocol using theories and techniques derived from cognitive-behavioral therapy; (b) a protocol derived from WBT. Assessment before and after interventions was performed using two self-rating scales: Kellner's Symptom Questionnaire and Ryff's Psychological Well-Being Scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both school-based interventions resulted in a comparable improvement in symptoms and psychological well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new well-being-enhancing strategy could play an important role in the prevention of psychological distress in school settings and in promoting optimal human functioning among children.
authors.affiliation: Affective Disorders Program and Laboratory of Experimental Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruini
authors.forename: Carlotta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Belaise
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brombin
authors.forename: Ernesto
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Caffo
authors.forename: Giovanni A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Fava
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012574:Schools