The Effect of Preventive Intervention to Strengthen Self-Esteem Among Students in Cartagena City, Colombia

Zuleima Cogollo Milanes, Maria Angeles Luengo Martin, Xose Anton Gomez Fraguela

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention on strengthening self-esteem in students going to public schools in Cartagena, Colombia. Method: A random field trial was conducted and controlled, in which students from sixth and seventh grade -between the ages of 10 and 15 years- were requested to participate. An intervention group (IG) was formed by 498 students, mean age of 12.3 years (SD = 1.1); as well as a control group (CG), 453 students, mean age of 12.2 (SD = 1.1). The IG participated in a school held prevention program, whereas the CG didn’t, and theresults were shown three months later, where an 'intention to treat' analysis was performed. Results: A totalof 901 students participated in the follow up measurement, where (5.3%) 50 individuals from the first measurement were unable to reach for446 IGstudents (89.6%) reported high 'positive self-esteem', compared to 398 CGstudents (87.9%). The difference was not statistically significant (1.16, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.66). Conclusion: This type of preventive intervention lacks of significant statistical effect, even after five months period. We need to trialamore intensive intervention with the students in Cartagena, Colombia.