Social-Emotional Learning Foundations Intervention for K–1 Students at Risk: Mediation Effects of Social-Emotional Learning on School Adjustment

• In Event: Examination of Social Emotional Learning With Children

Abstract

Children’s social-emotional growth is integral to academic learning. As such, Social-Emotional Learning Foundations is a K-1 curriculum designed to merge social-emotional learning (SEL) with literacy to promote social-emotional and academic self-regulation. Building on findings from a three-year cluster randomized efficacy trial with 1,154 children at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders, we explored whether growth in SEL competencies proximal to intervention content mediated treatment effects on a more distal measure of school adjustment. Results indicated that SEL related outcomes mediated outcome measures of internalizing behavior and competence. These findings advance understanding of the potential mechanisms through which SEL curricula improve overall school adjustment and thereby contribute to positive educational outcomes for students at risk.

Authors

• Ann P. Daunic, University of Florida

• Burak Aydin, Ege University

• Nancy Corbett, University of Florida

• Stephen W. Smith, University of Florida

• Emily Crews, University of Florida

• Delaney Boss, University of Florida