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A Combined Intervention Targeting both Teachers’ and Students’ Social-Emotional Skills: Preliminary Evaluation of Students’ Outcomes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 June 2014

Cristina Akiko Iizuka ,
Paula M. Barrett ,
Robyn Gillies ,
Clayton R. Cook  and
Welber Marinovic
Cristina Akiko Iizuka*
Affiliation:
School of Education, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Paula M. Barrett
Affiliation:
School of Education, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Robyn Gillies
Affiliation:
School of Education, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Clayton R. Cook
Affiliation:
University of Washington, College of Education, Seattle, Washington, USA
Welber Marinovic
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Cristina Akiko Iizuka, School of Education, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane QLD 4072Australia. Email: cristina.iizuka@uqconnect.edu.au
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Abstract

The literature indicates increasing evidence showing the benefits of classroom-based, universal preventive interventions for mental health and the link between social and emotional learning and academic performance. The FRIENDS program has been extensively tested and has showed promising results not only for preventing childhood anxiety, but also for improving students’ self-concept, social skills and coping skills. However, when it comes to communities in disadvantage, the results are mixed, with some studies reporting the need to include enhancements to the context in which the program is implemented to better support communities at risk. A combined intervention aiming to promote students’ social-emotional skills was piloted in a school located in a low socio-economic status area. Teachers received training to teach social and emotional skills for students and a resilience program for themselves. Students’ social-emotional outcomes were assessed at pre, post, 3 and 6 months following the intervention. Results showed that the intervention helped students to decrease their anxiety, and the intervention was well accepted by participants.

Keywords

school mental healthsocial and emotional competenceteacher educationuniversal interventioncommunities at risk
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 24 , Issue 2 , December 2014 , pp. 152 - 166
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Australian Academic Press Pty Ltd 2014 

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