University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications
Title
A pilot study of a primary prevention curriculum to address preschool behavior problems
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Family Medicine and Community Health; Department of Psychiatry; Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine
Publication Date
2013-10-01
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Community Health | Health Psychology | School Psychology
Abstract
Behavior problems among preschool children are common. They are important targets for intervention because early externalizing problems and self-regulation issues tend to persist without appropriate attention, and can affect later mental health and school achievement outcomes. However, few preschool curricula addressing social and emotional development exist, and evidence for effects are mixed. In this study, the Second Step Pre/Kindergarten Social and Emotional Learning curriculum was adapted and tested in a small cluster randomized pilot study of community preschool classrooms to determine if it could improve outcomes in: (1) individual children's teacher-rated behavior problems and prosocial skills; (2) classroom climate (classroom interactions and two measures of disruptive behavior); and (3) teacher interaction skills. Year 1 outcomes were modest and were accounted for by baseline differences. In Year 2, classroom climate, measured by independent observers, differed significantly in intervention classrooms, largely because of declines in control classrooms, and there was some evidence for better teacher interaction skills in intervention classrooms. The pattern of effects suggests important impacts on classroom quality worth investigating in a larger study. Both fidelity and implementation rates, as well as positive teacher responses to the curriculum, indicate potential for widespread adoption.
Keywords
Externalizing behavior problems, Social and emotional skills, Preschool children, Primary prevention
DOI of Published Version
10.1007/s10935-013-0316-1
Source
J Prim Prev. 2013 Oct;34(5):309-27. doi: 10.1007/s10935-013-0316-1. Link to article on publisher's site
Related Resources
Journal/Book/Conference Title
The journal of primary prevention
PubMed ID
23897498
Repository Citation
Upshur, Carole C.; Wenz-Gross, Melodie; and Reed, George W., "A pilot study of a primary prevention curriculum to address preschool behavior problems" (2013). University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications. 259.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/faculty_pubs/259