Protecting young minds: insights on pre-adolescents' mental health from a school-based study in Argentina

Childhood and adolescent mental health is in crisis globally, emphasizing the need for early detection and prevention strategies. Children from marginalized neighborhoods are particularly vulnerable, yet data on their psychological well-being is still limited in Argentina. We aimed to explore mental health characteristics of vulnerable school children and assess the feasibility of a psychological well-being promoting program. This study was conducted in a primary school in a disadvantaged neighborhood of Buenos Aires, Argentina, involving 35 children aged 11. Participants completed validated Spanish versions of scales assessing perceived stress (PSS-14), PTSD symptoms (CPSS), empathy, mindfulness (MAAS-A), and self-compassion (SCS-SF). Sex differences and correlations between scales were explored. Significant sex disparities were found in perceived stress, with girls reporting higher scores (p=0.002). PTSD symptoms were alarmingly high, with 74% of participants exceeding the clinical cut-off of 16 (girls: mean=27.48, SD=9.45; boys: mean=17.36, SD=12.76; p=0.017). Boys scored higher in self-compassion (p=0.003). Positive correlations were found between stress and PTSD symptoms (r=0.597, p<0.001) and between mindfulness and self-compassion (r=0.439, p=0.008). Both dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion negatively correlated with perceived stress (r= -0.526, p=0.001; r= -0.595, p<0.001, respectively) and PTSD symptoms (r= -0.616, p<0.001; r= -0.561, p<0.001, respectively). Our study highlights the significant vulnerability of this population, emphasizing the urgency for early detection and gender- and trauma-sensitive prevention efforts. Notably, our findings suggest that mindfulness and self-compassion training may be key protective components within mental health-promoting interventions for preadolescents. • Global youth mental health is in crisis; data on children in Argentina is limited. • Mental health of school children in a vulnerable area of Buenos Aires was studied. • Stress and PTSD were high; mindfulness and self-compassion showed protection. • Girls reported higher stress and PTSD symptoms than boys. • Evidence-based, policy-supported mental health promotion is required in schools.