El objetivo del estudio fue investigar la efectividad de una intervención con superhéroes para aumentar la resiliencia y la autoestima, y disminuir el estrés en adolescentes de Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. Método: estudio cuasiexperimental, con grupo experimental y control, asignación no aleatoria. Participaron 57 estudiantes de tercer año de secundaria. Se aplicó intervención con técnicas cognitivo-conductuales, en 10 sesiones con duración de dos horas, y periodicidad semanal. Resultados: Los análisis de varianza arrojaron cambios significativos entre los grupos, pre y post intervención en todas las variables; en resiliencia (F=8.78, p<.01), en autoestima (F=13.15 p<.01), y estrés percibido (F= 73.44, p<.01). Se midió la efectividad de la intervención en el grupo experimental, en el cual se encontraron cambios significativos en todas las variables: resiliencia (t=- 6.87, p<.001, d=1.58), autoestima (t=4.24, p<.001, d=.90), y estrés (t=5.52, p<.001, d=1.00). Conclusión: La intervención fue efectiva para aumentar resiliencia y autoestima, y disminuir estrés en grupo experimental.

Introduction. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that people may experience during early life, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse; neglect; and household dysfunction. Objective. To evaluate the frequency of ACEs and their relationship with the mental and physical health of Mexican adults. Method. 389 people between 18 and 65 years old were included in a cross-sectional study with an incidental sample and voluntary participation. Subjects responded to the ACEs questionnaire, the PHQ-9, the GAD-7, and the PHQ-15. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between ACEs and adult health conditions. Results. 75% reported at least one type of adversity, and 31.4% reported three or more. Reporting three or more ACEs was associated with an increased odds ratio for depression (OR = 5.04, 95% CI [2.38, 10.68]), anxiety (OR = 3.33, 95% CI [1.09, 6.99]), psychosomatic severity (OR = 4.58, 95% CI [2.53, 8.29]), obesity (OR = 2.08, 95% CI [1.21, 3.59]), and limitations due to physical or emotional discomfort (OR = 5.90, 95% CI [2.88, 12.09]). Higher anxiety was associated with sexual abuse (OR = 2.12 95% CI [.92, 4.85]) and witnessing violence (OR = 5.09, 95% CI [1.04, 24.77]). The probability of psychosomatic severity was higher if reported sexual abuse increased (OR = 1.94 95% CI [.06, 3.54]) and emotional neglect (OR = 1.84, 95% CI [1.02, 3.32]). Discussion and conclusion. ACEs are associated to mental health difficulties and psychosomatic symptoms. The relationship between different types of adversity and health is confirmed.