Effectiveness of the Process Used to Instruct 32 Public School Children in Engativá (Bogotá D.C.) on Psychosocial Skills and Healthy Habits

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of the work done by teachers to strengthen psychosocial skills and healthy habits among schoolchildren. Methodology: This is a quasi-experimental, analytical longitudinal study with pre and post education intervention. The instrument, based on the EDEX survey, was used to conduct the study at 32 public schools in Engativá between 2013 and 2014. The student t-test was employed in the analysis, along with Fisher’s exact test for the contingency tables. Changes in psychosocial skills and healthy habits were determined using Rasch statistics. Results: 930 initial and 549 final surveys were applied. Psychosocial skills: i) there was an improvement of 0.18 log odd units, on average, equivalent to 11.6% of the schoolchildren; ii) cognitive and social skills improved, while emotional ones deteriorated; (iii) females scored statistically significantly higher in cognitive and social skills; and iv) students with more time in the program demonstrated better and statistically significant results for cognitive abilities. Healthy habits: a comparison of the Rasch statistic results showed healthy habits deteriorated and there were no differences by gender or years in the program. Conclusions: The results coincide with the priority teachers give to work on psychosocial skills and healthy habits. Significant results in terms of effectiveness were observed. Further research is needed to learn more about strengthening psychosocial skills and healthy habits.