Evaluating the Effect of Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workshop on Psychological Distress, Coping Strategies, and Grit Among Primary School Students in Klang Valley, Malaysia.

Early life experiences play a crucial role in shaping children's emotional and psychological development, influencing their self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and ability to regulate stress. Primary school-aged children are particularly vulnerable, as they have limited control over their environment while being increasingly exposed to challenges such as family conflict, peer difficulties, and academic pressure. Without appropriate support, they may adopt maladaptive coping strategies in response to psychological distress. Although mental health issues among children are gaining recognition, access to effective support remains limited due to stigma, financial constraints, and a lack of resources. Therefore, this study examined the effectiveness of a Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Brief CBT) workshop on psychological distress, coping strategies, and grit among primary school students in Klang Valley, Malaysia. The study adopted a randomized quasi-experimental design with random selection and allocation of 7 schools to either intervention or wait-list groups, and three quantitative measures were used at two time points to assess the outcomes. Analysis indicated significant intervention effects on Anxiety [F (1, 1092) = 4.32, p = .038], Coping Strategies (Active) [F (1, 1092) = 14.87, p < .001], and Grit [F (1, 1092) = 10.20, p = .001].