A Gamified Intervention Combining CBM-I and Social Skills Training for Children with Aggressive Behavior: Proof of Concept
A Gamified Intervention Combining CBM-I and Social Skills Training for Children with Aggressive Behavior: Proof of Concept

Summary/Abstract: Aggressive behavior is a common social issue encountered in children, with high impact on social relations and academic performances. Research links attributional bias to aggression, suggesting that individuals with high level of aggression tend to interpret ambiguous situations as being hostile. Empirical evidence suggests that attributional bias can be modified. With promising results, recent studies starts using Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation (CBM-I) to modify this biases. Besides this, one of the most common interventions in terms of aggressive behavior in children and adolescents is Social Skills Training (SST). A combined intervention using Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation and Social Skills Training can be an effective approach to aggressive behavior, by focusing on both of its cognitive and behavioral components. The aim of this paper is to propose an evidence-based gamified intervention for children with aggressive behavior. The intervention consists in a mobile phone application focused both on modifying the biases underlying the distorted interpretation and training of social skills, in order to decrease aggressive behavior, and increase social adaptation of the children. Combined treatments are widely used in psychotherapy and, in terms of aggressive behavior this approach may provide promising results with long-term changes. In our research, Social Skills Training component is oriented on developing adequate social competence, while Cognitive Bias Modification for Interpretation, will help children interpret ambiguous social situations as less hostile, therefore they will be able to engange in a more adaptive response to others. Theoretical and practical implications for the educational environment will be detailed.

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