The Remarkable Longitudinal Consistency of Associations between Social & Emotional Wellbeing and Other Education Outcomes

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Abstract

Attention to measures and interventions focused on social and emotional wellbeing continues to increase. The volume of research is also increasing yet largely limited to small samples and short time frames. Given the importance of social and emotional wellbeing and the growing body of evidence to support these efforts, measurement quality and rigor in this arena is equally important. We analyzed data from statewide measures of social and emotional wellbeing used by school-community collective impact organizations to monitor trends over time and illustrated remarkably consistent associations with education outcomes from 2013 to 2022. With additional evidence of measurement invariance, such trends provide support for ongoing attention to interventions, programming, and policy development, with some assurance that associations aren’t completely timebound.

Authors

• Michael C. Rodriguez, University of Minnesota

• Tai Tri Do, University of Minnesota