Resilient Mental Models: Evidence from Malawi

We investigate whether brief psycho-social interventions promote resilience among children. We give primary students in Malawi a counting task that becomes more challenging, and offer them the choice to opt out. We experimentally vary whether participants receive interventions to promote either a growth mindset or a mindful breathing exercise. We produced two growth mindset films: a standard growth mindset film based on previous studies and one that incorporates the messaging in a narrative. Furthermore, we produce a control video on a topic unrelated to growth mindset or breathing exercises. We compare the effect of these four conditions on resilience, performance, wellbeing.