(PS10-B29) Improving Emotional Self-regulation in Children Online

Introduction: The number of web-based treatment programs aimed at the child and adolescent population is increasing, and most  contain emotional psychoeducation components. For this reason  the program for Improving Emotional Self-regulation in Children Online (Mejora de la Autorregulación en Menores Online, MAM@) has been developed.

Objective: To analyse whether the MAM@ program can improve emotional regulation in children and adolescents exposed to various traumatic events.

Method: A sample of n = 31 minors between 12-15 years old exposed to various traumatic events (n = 10 minors under guardianship; n = 11 exposed to gender violence towards their mothers; n = 10 hospital interconsultation), regular users of psychological care services. To assess emotional regulation, the difficulties in emotional regulation scale (DERS) was used, comprising six scales that measure these difficulties. Differences in mean scores of all scales between pre-test and post-test for all subjects were analysed. Inter-group differences were also analysed in the post-test and   mean differences in   items between   pre-test and   post-test were analyzed.

Results: Reductions were observed in the mean scores of all scales of emotional difficulties, however only  lack of emotional awareness and lack of emotional clarity scales were significant. No significant inter-group differences were found.

Discussion: The MAM@ program managed to improve   emotional regulation of children,  though a larger sample is required in order to draw more solid conclusions.