title: Reducing developmental risk for emotional/behavioral problems: a randomized controlled trial examining the Tools for Getting Along curriculum.
abstract: Researchers have demonstrated that cognitive-behavioral intervention strategies - such as social problem solving - provided in school settings can help ameliorate the developmental risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties. In this study, we report the results of a randomized controlled trial of Tools for Getting Along (TFGA), a social problem-solving universally delivered curriculum designed to reduce the developmental risk for serious emotional or behavioral problems among upper elementary grade students. We analyzed pre-intervention and post-intervention teacher-report and student self-report data from 14 schools, 87 classrooms, and a total of 1296 students using multilevel modeling. Results (effect sizes calculated using Hedges' g) indicated that students who were taught TFGA had a more positive approach to problem solving (g=.11) and a more rational problem-solving style (g=.16). Treated students with relatively poor baseline scores benefited from TFGA on (a) problem-solving knowledge (g=1.54); (b) teacher-rated executive functioning (g=.35 for Behavior Regulation and .32 for Metacognition), and proactive aggression (g=.20); and (c) self-reported trait anger (g=.17) and anger expression (g=.21). Thus, TFGA may reduce risk for emotional and behavioral difficulties by improving students' cognitive and emotional self-regulation and increasing their pro-social choices.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida, USA. adaunic@coe.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Ann P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Daunic
authors.forename: Stephen W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Cynthia W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Garvan
authors.forename: Brian R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Mallory K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.forename: Christine D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Gregory G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Van Loan
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Arlene H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Naranjo
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004644:Emotions; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D012574:Schools; D012919:Social Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome