Improving adolescent lifestyles by promoting socioemotional competences in a communitybased intervention programme

Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify clusters of lifestyle changes after participating in ‘Building My Future’, a community group-based programme that aims to promote competences in adolescents at psychosocial risk, and to examine the contribution of the activities performed and the level of competences reached. Participants were 407 adolescents who reported on healthrelated lifestyle behaviours, self-concept, task-oriented strategy, empathy, and community participation and integration before and after the programme. Facilitators also filled out a checklist with the activities performed. Results revealed a profile with all-round healthy habit changes (72%), and another with unhealthy changes (28%). Carrying out learning activities, games, shared meals, and a higher level of empathy and community integration after the programme increased the odds of a healthy lifestyle change. These results are promising and indicate that the promotion of socioemotional competences at the community level can be an effective strategy to embrace healthier lifestyles.