Maximizing the potential of early childhood education to prevent externalizing behavior problems: a meta-analysis
Abstract
Early childhood education (ECE) programs offer a promising mechanism for preventing early externalizing behavior problems and later antisocial behavior; yet, questions remain about how to best maximize ECE's potential. Using a meta-analytic database of 31 studies, we examined the overall effect of ECE on externalizing behavior problems and the differential effects of 3 levels of practice, each with increasing specificity and intensity aimed at children's social and emotional development. In short, we found that each successive level of programs did a better job than the prior level at reducing externalizing behavior problems. Level 1 programs, or those without a clear focus on social and emotional development, had no significant effects on externalizing behavior problems relative to control groups (ES=.13 SD, p<.10). On the other hand, level 2 programs, or those with a clear but broad focus on social and emotional development, were significantly associated with modest decreases in externalizing behavior problems relative to control groups (ES=-.10 SD, p<.05). Hence, level 2 programs were significantly better at reducing externalizing behavior problems than level 1 programs (ES=-.23 SD, p<.01). Level 3 programs, or those that more intensively targeted children's social and emotional development, were associated with additional significant reductions in externalizing behavior problems relative to level 2 programs (ES=-.26 SD, p<.05). The most promising effects came from level 3 child social skills training programs, which reduced externalizing behavior problems half of a standard deviation more than level 2 programs (ES=-.50 SD, p<.05).
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UK home health interventions were associated with a cost of roughly $7,281 to $7,928 per quality-adjusted life year gained relative to routine care.
“In the UK, home health interventions were associated with cost of ~$7,281 to $7,928 per quality-adjusted life year gained as compared with routine care.82,94”
From Preventive strategies for mental health (2018) · cites this paper as [82]
Parent training produces cost savings after eight years and total savings over twenty-five years of at least $15,028 from public and societal perspectives.
“Cost savings after 8 years and total savings over 25 years of at least $15,028 from public purse and societal perspective 82”
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References 88 · Cited by 121
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- Authors
- Schindler, H. S., Kholoptseva, J., Oh, S. S., Yoshikawa, H., Duncan, G. J., Magnuson, K. A., & Shonkoff, J. P.
- Affiliations
- University of Washington (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- New York University (US)
- University of California, Irvine (US)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (US)
- Corresponding author
- Schindler, Holly S.
- Venue
- Journal of School Psychology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-06
- Volume
- 53
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 243-263
- ISSN
- 0022-4405 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1780738941
- Cited by
- 121
- References
- 88
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 5.04
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of School Psychology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R01HD073172)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Education › Early Childhood Education and Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
- Keywords
- early childhood education, externalizing problems, antisocial behavior prevention, social-emotional development, program intensity, early intervention, preschool programs
- MeSH terms
- Child, Child Behavior Disorders, Humans, Early Intervention, Educational
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