"Performing Emotions and Suffering" Recovery of Depressive Symptoms of Adolescents Intervention in Art and Dance Schools

• Autor(a) principal: Santos, José Carlos Pereira dos
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Quaresma, Maria Helena dos Santos, Brás, Marta, Carmo, Cláudia, Façanha, Jorge Daniel Neto, Nabais, António, Someão, Lurdes, Calças, Cláudia, Matos, Maria Ermelinda Teixeira Smpaio, Coruche, Isabel, Simões, Rosa Maria Pereira, Erse, Maria Pedro Queiroz de Azevedo, Loureiro, Cândida Rosalinda Exposto da Costa, Marques, Lúcia Amélia Fernandes Alves
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://web.esenfc.pt/?url=jkN9z5pi
• topic: Mental Health; prevention; suicide; Adolescents; art schools

Introduction: In previous studies, a large majority of dance students reported mental health issues, mainly eating disorders and depression. Aims: This project aimed to promote mental health and well-being and prevent maladaptive and risky behaviors, namely suicidal behaviors, among adolescents in art and dance schools. It was implemented in sequential stages, including six moments of classroom intervention for adolescents. Methods: A quasi-experimental research design was used, with two assessment moments (before and after the intervention) using questionnaires filled out by the adolescents. Results: The project was implemented in three art schools (Center and South of Portugal), and the sample consisted of 122 adolescents. 72,9% of our sample were girls, aged 12-18 years (M = 13.88; SD = 1.54). Boys showed significantly higher well-being scores (M = 16.53; SD = 4.24 vs M = 14.67, SD = 4.17), and girls showed higher coping scores (M = 153.3; SD = 13.53 vs M = 146.73; SD = 13.22). Concerning depressive symptoms 34.8% of adolescents had moderate/severe depressive symptoms, which decreased by 10% after the intervention. Conclusion: Adolescents attending art schools might be more vulnerable to developing suffering, and this intervention proved to be an effective approach for promoting mental health and well-being and preventing suicidal behaviors.