Institutionalization

Objective: evaluate the impact of a Life Skills Training (LST) intervention on substance use intention by analyzing changes in neuropsychological organization and psychological regulation processes in adolescents living in social assistance institutions.Methodology Design: Parallel-group randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Participants: 20 adolescents aged 12 to 17 with a minimum of 3 months of residence in foster care homes in Mexicali, Baja California.Intervention: The experimental group will undergo 8 sessions (60 minutes each) of LST, while the control group will receive a traditional psychoeducational intervention of the same duration.Key Measures: Electroencephalography (EEG) will be used to monitor cortical maturation (Alpha/Theta power) and frontal asymmetry. Clinical scales including DERS, DUSI, BANFE-2, and substance use intention questionnaires will also be administered.RationaleIn Mexico, the average age of onset for substance use has dropped to 12-13 years. Institutionalized adolescents face heightened vulnerability due to histories of trauma, neglect, and environmental exposure to high-lethality substances such as fentanyl and methamphetamines in the border region

Aurora is an interdisciplinary project evaluating a chatbot-mediated supportive care intervention designed to promote emotional expression, autobiographical meaning-making, identity processes, and emotional well-being through guided narrative reconstruction. The Aurora system provides a structured, person-centered storytelling process supported by generative AI and human facilitation. Under the supervision of a trained facilitator (licensed mental health professional), participants engage in guided reminiscence and storytelling sessions to co-create a personalized "life book." The chatbot is not a diagnostic or treatment tool; rather, it is intended to support emotional expression, narrative reconstruction, and recovery-oriented processes. The study includes three non-randomized arms implemented sequentially: (1) a single-session arm of healthy adults focused on acceptability, usability, and emotional safety; (2) a four-hour intervention arm of adults with DSM-5 diagnosed mental disorders in residential care; and (3) a four-hour intervention arm of healthy older adults aged 65 years and older. Quantitative outcomes assess affect, mental well-being, and recovery-related constructs. Additional measures include usability, satisfaction, and qualitative feedback. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is conducted in Arms 2 and 3.