Recreational programs in mental health: the case of Ecuador
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v69.116891Keywords:
Anxiety, emotional, child-hood, recreation, mental healthAbstract
Introduction: Children’s mental health shows a rising prevalence of disorders such as anxiety, particularly in urban school settings. In response to this situation, recreational programs have emerged as effective alternatives to promote psychological well-being by strengthening self-esteem, social skills, and emotional regulation.
Objective: To measure the impact of a recreational program on the psychological well-being of children with anxiety disorders in Ecuador, considering dimensions such as self-esteem, social skills, and the reduction of anxious symptoms.
Methodology: The study adopted a quasi-experimental design with a mixed-methods approach and explanatory scope. The sample consisted of 40 children aged 8 to 11 with a diagnosis of mild to moderate anxiety. The Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (CMAS-R) was applied before and after a six-week recreational intervention composed of 18 structured sessions. Additionally, structured interviews were conducted with teachers and school psychologists to enrich the qualitative analysis.
Results: The results showed a significant reduction in anxiety levels, along with improvements in self-esteem and social skills in the experimental group compared to the control group. Qualitative data confirmed these improvements, highlighting increased participation, emotional expression, and positive peer interaction.
Conclusions: The recreational program had a positive impact on children’s psychological well-being. Its implementation in school settings proved to be effective and feasible. It is recommended that this experience be replicated in other educational institutions and that future studies include larger samples and longitudinal follow-ups.
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