Evaluation and design of a psychoeducational program on university life skills

Abstract

The development of life skills is an essential part of the comprehensive training of health professionals, due to its impact on self-regulation, resilience, and academic performance. The aim of this study was to assess the level of development of these skills in medical science students at the Regional Autonomous University of the Andes, Ecuador, and to design a contextualized psychoeducational program based on the results obtained.A descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted on a sample of 183 students selected for convenience. The Young Adult Life Skills Scale was applied, evaluating ten psychosocial dimensions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a multi-criteria analysis based on the proportion of low levels and the weighted mean score per dimension.The results showed that a high percentage of participants scored low or medium-low in interpersonal relationships, decision-making, stress management, and managing feelings and emotions. Based on these priorities, a psychoeducational model was designed, structured in 12 sessions and organized into three modules.It was concluded that there is an urgent need for systematic interventions aimed at strengthening life skills in medical science students as a preventive strategy to promote well-being, resilience, and educational quality.