Change in quality of life and self-esteem in a randomized controlled CBT study for anxious and sad children: can targeting anxious and depressive symptoms improve functional domains in schoolchildren?

Participating in an intervention targeting emotional symptoms may have a positive effect on quality of life and self-esteem in addition to reducing anxious and depressive symptoms. Improved quality of life may increase the child's satisfaction and subjective perception of wellbeing. As low self-esteem may lead to anxious and depressive symptoms, improving this functional domain in children may make them more robust dealing with future emotional challenges. Trial registration NCT02340637, retrospectively registered.