Effects of the In vivo program on salivary cortisol and internalized symptoms of adolescents: a multiple case pilot study

Abstract

Internalized disorders such as anxiety and depression are among the most common psychological problems in adolescents. An important risk factor in the development of these disorders is stress, which can increase the risk of developing emotional difficulties. This study sought to evaluate the effects of the In vivo program, which is aimed at developing stress coping skills. A multi-case research design was used with three girls and three boys aged 13 to 17. Internalized symptoms and program adherence were measured using questionnaires; stress was measured using a biomarker, salivary cortisol. The results demonstrate that boys showed a clinically significant improvement in internalized symptoms, whereas no improvement was observed in girls.