Evaluation of a Serious Game Aimed at Improving Mental Health in Youth.

A 90-item self-report instrument measuring seven adaptive, five maladaptive, and three external emotion (sadness, anger, and anxiety) regulation strategies. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 = almost never to 5 = almost always. The score on the adaptive (ranging from 42-210), maladaptive (ranging from 30-150) and external (ranging from 18-90) subscales are considered. The higher the score on a subscale, the greater the disposition to cope with negative emotions in a certain way.

3 subscales on cognitive coping strategies (i.e., optimism, control, and seeking understanding) are used. Each subscale has 4 items and all items are scored on a 4-point Likert scale from 1 = never to 4 = most of the time. For each subscale the minimum total score is 4 and the maximum score 16. The higher the mean score on the subscale, the more often the cognitive coping strategy is used.

The scale assess cognitive Errors and has 5 subscales and 16 items in total. The items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 = not at all like I would think to 5 = almost exactly like I would think. Total scores range from 16-80. Higher scores reflect more distorted cognitive processes.

Two subscales of the EMO-Check kids are used i.e., Emotional clearness and Understanding emotions. They measure strategies to cope with emotions on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 = not at all to 4 = (almost) always. The score on a subscale ranges from 0 to 12. Higher score indicate more use a certain emotion regulation strategy.

A 28-item self-report scale measuring depressive symptoms experienced over the previous 2 weeks. Items are score on a scale from 0 to 2. Total scores range from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate greater severity of depressive symptomatology.

14 statements regarding the effect, content and usefulness of the game. Items were rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = 'completely disagree'; 5 = 'completely agree').