Abstract:
The role of school in building character and developing cognitions, emotions and behaviours of children can never be under estimated at any cost. Children and youth might exhibit significant behavioural issues and anxiety in school settings relates to their social and academic domains that cannot triggered and apparent in home and other environment with family and peer support (Ginsburg & Drake, 2002). In this broad area of evidence-based school programs, Friends for Life (FRIENDS Program) is most effective intervention program for treatment and prevention of anxiety related disorders as evidenced by a metaanalysis (Briesch, Sanetti, & Briesch, 2010). Friends program is based on cognitive behavioural techniques and developed by Dr Paula Barrett. The said study focused on translating and adapting program according to norms and culture of Pakistani society. The translation process was done by the 5 bilinguals and instructions were given to them about the whole concept of the program. They translated it in very comprehensible and understandable way from source language (English) to target language (Urdu). After translation process the material was typed in a shape of book. Adaptation of this program was done by following Planned Adaptation (PA) approach. Four steps were involved in translation process i.e. (1) evaluating the theory of Evidence Based Program (EBP), (2) identifying population differences, (3) adapting program content and (4) adapting evaluation strategy. For these steps Special Interest Groups (SIGs) were formed which comprise of parents, teachers and children developed from them feedback taken and questions were asked regarding their interest to assess their needs and understanding of the program. Guidance from the developer of the program and stakeholders was taken on every step to make this program more effective and to maintain originality of every session. All the process led to the final translated and adapted version of program. This is a universal level intervention thatcan be used in clinical settings or specially in class room settings in schools for every child in this age range to enhancing their skills and resilience.
