The Role of Psychological Well-being in Childhood Interventions

The high worldwide prevalence of mental disorders in childhood and adolescence is well documented, even though the majority of available data pertain to youth living in developed countries. If untreated, these conditions could herald more severe disorders in adulthood. Indeed, they often remain under-recognized and do not receive appropriate treatment. This chapter gives a brief overview of the main evidence-based psychotherapies for affective disorders in youth, considering both the ingredients of traditional protocols and new therapeutic approaches, which aim to cultivate positive emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. This is in line with a more comprehensive conceptualization of remission and recovery in childhood, which should not be limited to symptoms reduction, but also encompasses the improvement of well-being and resilience.