The Effects of a SWELE Program on Mental Wellbeing Among Children and Adolescents With Special Educational Needs and Disabilities: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND

The aim was to examine the effects of 'Supporting Wellness in E-Child Learning Environments' (SWELE) program on the mood, anxiety, social and self-regulation skills and playfulness behaviours of children and adolescents with special educational needs and disabilities.

METHODS

A quasi-experiment single-group pre-test and post-test design was adopted. The intervention group received a 16-week SWELE program featuring an unstructured free outdoor play coupled with mindfulness-based intervention.

RESULTS

1187 children and adolescents with intellectual or physical disabilities were recruited. At post-intervention, there are consistent positive changes across all five outcomes with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen's d: 0.63-0.80). Specifically, the SWELE program demonstrated statistically significant improvement in mood level (t = 21.86, p < 0.001), self-regulation skills (t = 29.59, p < 0.001) and social skills (t = 23.84, p < 0.001), reduction in anxiety symptoms (t = -27.47, p < 0.001), and an increase in playfulness behaviours (t = 20.84, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The SWELE intervention program was effective in promoting mental wellbeing among target children and adolescents.