Table 2 Overview of DUDE goals, content, and targeting risk factors

1 – Feelings are like Waves

• To introduce to the topic / to commit to the program

• Introduction Video

• Introduction and information regarding DUDE

• To build solidarity in the class

• Activating “Get to know Game”

• Joint development of class rules

• Encouraging social support within the class

• To improve one’s emotional perception and awareness

• Interactive group game regarding emotions

• Exercise for the mindful perception of emotions

• Improving the ability to identify, differentiate and express one’s own feelings

2 – Overwhelmed by Feelings

• To improve awareness about stress and emotional tension

• Activating group game to show that everyone experiences stress

• Guided group discussion to introduce the concept of “aversive emotional tension

• Improving stress management

• To gain adaptive skills to deal with daily struggles

• Collection of stress tolerance skills in small groups

• Class discussion of pros and cons of specific skills

• Group game in which students train skills to prevent impulsive reactions

• Training impulse control

3 – Riding the Wave of Feelings

• To recognize the importance of emotion regulation

• Video about emotionally stressful events being handled maladaptive

• Joint acquisition of the different stages of emotion regulation by referring back to the video

• Increasing the access and flexibility to different emotion regulation strategies

• To improve one’s ability to regulate – especially negative - emotions

• Interactive exercises and role plays to train various mood-stabilizing skills

• Reducing negative affect

4 – What gives you boost?

• To learn to rely on oneself

• Group brainstorming about resources

• Mindfulness-based exercise to train radical acceptance

• Introspective exercise to become aware of own strengths and abilities

• Improving self-esteem and self-efficacy

• To improve one’s interpersonal skills

• Group game in which the students must collaborate

• Group exercise to train benevolent and respectful interaction with one another

• Counteracting bullying by an improved class climate and enhanced interpersonal abilities

5 – Jump into the wave’

• To anchor knowledge in everyday life

• Repetition of program contents and acquired strategies

• Definition of intentions: “What do I want to implement in everyday life?”

• Improving self-efficacy by encouraging self-responsibility