Stress management in children: a pilot study in 7-9 year olds.

LOZADA MARIANA; D'ADAMO, PAOLA; NATALIA CARRO

hUERTA gRANDE

Simposio; XXVIII CONGRESO ANUAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN NEUROCIENCIAS; 2013

SAN

At present, school-age children suffer high levels of chronic stress which could produce potentially long lasting effects. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of mind-body integration practices and cooperative activities on stress levels and social interaction in 7-9 year old children. We performed an intervention program once a week during two months in which children carried out mind-body integration practices and cooperative activities. Our findings showed that these practices reduced cortisol levels and increased social connectedness. Moreover, we found that most of the children used the learned mind-body integration practices in stressful situations in their homes, even five months after the intervention. Our results demonstrated the positive impact of these helpful tools and the great plasticity of children?s behavior, which enabled them to incorporate healthy habits. Overall, the intervention enhanced health at an individual level and favored social network diversity at a group level. Our research illustrates how children can incorporate techniques that help them cope with stressful moments and reveals the effectiveness of this experience in reducing cortisol levels. The present study contributes to the understanding of how mind-body integration practices and social connectedness can be helpful in reducing chronic stress, a topic which has, to our knowledge, been little developed in children.