Positive Emotions: Psychological Tools for the Promotion of Mental Health in Children in Mendoza-Argentina in Vulnerable Social Contexts.

GRECO, CAROLINA

Gramado, Brasil

Workshop; WORKSHOP ON ADVANCING INTER-AMERICAN COLLABORATION IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH, METHODOLOGY AND TRAINING; 2007

International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development

This study intends to contribute to scientific knowledge in issues related to child mental health in vulnerable social environments. Since research has devoted scarce attention to positive emotions in Argentina, the aim of the present study is to analyze and identify development variables related to the capacity to experiment positive emotions among children from vulnerable social groups in Mendoza, Argentina, with a view to design programs destined to foster and strengthen such emotions. It is hoped this will generate resources to soften the effect of adverse circumstances. Sample: 120 children aged 7 to 8 from low socioeconomic level homes, attending the first three years of General Basic Education at public schools in Mendoza, Argentina. Research Design: Ex post facto. Instruments and Procedure: Explanation of research aims to school authorities, teachers and parents. Administration of a questionnaire to parents in order to get to know about their children’s background. Evaluation of positive emotions in children and development variables. Data analysis: Variance and correlation analysis of the variables considered. A significance level of 5% is established. It is hoped that this research may contribute to a better understanding of the topic and suggests useful intervention guidelines for professionals working in education, health and society.