title: A pilot study of a primary prevention curriculum to address preschool behavior problems.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA, carole.upshur@umassmed.edu.
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Upshur
authors.forename: Melodie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wenz-Gross
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D002055:Burnout, Professional; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003479:Curriculum; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011322:Primary Prevention
references.citation: Dev Psychopathol. 2008 Winter;20(1):369-97
references.pmid: 18211742
references.citation: J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2008 May;49(5):471-88
references.pmid: 18221346
references.citation: Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2002 Jan;72(1):70-82
references.pmid: 14964596
references.citation: Dev Psychol. 2010 Sep;46(5):976-83
references.pmid: 20822216
references.citation: J Consult Clin Psychol. 2009 Apr;77(2):302-16
references.pmid: 19309189
references.citation: J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2002 Oct;43(7):901-16
references.pmid: 12405478
references.citation: J Clin Child Psychol. 1999 Mar;28(1):44-57
references.pmid: 10070606
references.citation: J Prim Prev. 2007 Mar;28(2):67-91
references.pmid: 17265130
references.citation: Early Child Res Q. 2008;63(3):253-255
references.pmid: 18364994
references.citation: J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2008 Feb;49(2):191-200
references.pmid: 18211278
references.citation: Psychol Sci. 2001 Jan;12(1):18-23
references.pmid: 11294223
references.citation: Dev Psychol. 2010 Sep;46(5):995-1007
references.pmid: 20822218
references.citation: Child Dev. 1992 Apr;63(2):449-60
references.pmid: 1611946
references.citation: Soc Dev. 2010 Feb 1;19(1):1-29
references.pmid: 21072259
references.citation: Dev Psychopathol. 2001 Winter;13(1):53-67
references.pmid: 11346052
references.citation: Early Educ Dev. 2012 Jan 1;23(4):427-450
references.pmid: 22791957