Be you a superhero Paths for creating a psycho-pedagogical intervention to promote resilience in school environments

Abstract

Since the emergence of comic books, storylines with superheroes have focused on community spirit, mutual trust, strength, courage, and resilience, inspiring themes for the fields of Education. However, little is known about the stage entitled pre-cover/pre-mask of the superheroes' lives. This stage indicates that most fictional characters have experienced risky situations prior to the empowerment stage. This study examined relationships between real-life adversities of psychosocially disadvantaged children and the adversities of the fictional lives of superhero characters, in their Pre-Cover/Pre-Mask phases. This still unexplored resource presents potential to be developed in psychoeducational interventions and to subsidize public policies for the promotion of resilience and empowerment in this population. The findings support the potential for the development of psychoeducational intervention programs with superhero themes in educational settings.