Social-emotional Learning Curriculum for Youth Feasibility

Overseen By Alice-Simone Balter, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new social-emotional learning curriculum to determine its effectiveness in the beyond 3:30 after-school program. Researchers aim to discover if this curriculum can improve children's social-emotional skills, resilience, and overall functioning. The trial will compare sites using the new curriculum with those continuing the usual program. Children aged 11-14 who attend the beyond 3:30 program and often face challenges in managing emotions or stress may be suitable participants. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative educational research that could enhance social-emotional learning for many children.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications. It seems unlikely that medication changes are required, as the study focuses on a social-emotional learning curriculum.

What prior data suggests that this social-emotional learning curriculum is safe for youth?

Research has shown that social-emotional learning (SEL) programs are safe and well-received. Many studies have found that these programs can enhance students' social skills, emotional well-being, and academic performance. SEL programs also help reduce bullying and aggression. These positive outcomes suggest the programs are beneficial without causing harm. Moreover, many schools in the U.S. implement SEL programs, indicating their acceptance and safety in educational settings. No major reports of problems related to SEL programs have emerged, underscoring their safe use in schools. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the social-emotional learning curriculum because it offers a unique approach to enhancing youth well-being and social skills. Unlike traditional after-school programs that might focus on academic or physical activities, this curriculum specifically targets emotional intelligence and social skills development. By integrating these skills into a structured learning framework, it has the potential to improve students' self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management, setting it apart from standard programming options.

What evidence suggests that this social-emotional learning curriculum is effective for improving youth social-emotional skills and resilience?

Research has shown that social-emotional learning (SEL) programs positively impact students' social, emotional, and academic outcomes. These programs enhance students' school performance and social skills. In this trial, participants will either receive the EMPOWER social-emotional learning curriculum or continue with usual programming. Studies indicate that students in SEL programs often achieve better academic results and function well in school. Although improvements in social skills might be small, many studies consistently find them. Overall, evidence supports SEL programs in enhancing students' well-being and abilities in various areas. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Brendan F Andrade, PhD

Principal Investigator

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for youth aged 11-14 participating in the beyond 3:30 after-school program, their parents, and the program's facilitators. It aims to test a new social-emotional learning curriculum's feasibility and effectiveness.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a facilitator for the beyond 3:30 program, can speak English, and have signed the consent form.

I am 11-14 years old, attending the beyond 3:30 program, and I understand English.

I am a parent of a child aged 11-14 in the beyond 3:30 program and can speak and understand English.

Exclusion Criteria

N/A

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Implementation of the 16-week EMPOWER social-emotional learning curriculum in the intervention arm

16 weeks

Weekly sessions

Assessment

Feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness measures are completed by staff after each social-emotional domain is taught

20 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for improvements in social-emotional learning skills, resilience, and overall functioning

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Social-emotional learning curriculum

Trial Overview The study tests a novel social-emotional learning curriculum within an after-school setting. It measures feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness of the intervention, improvement in youths' social-emotional skills, resilience, and overall functioning.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Social-emotional learning curriculum Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The intervention is the EMPOWER social-emotional learning curriculum.

Group II: Usual programming control (implement beyond 3:30 programming as usual) Active Control 1 Intervention

Groups assigned to the usual programming control arm will deliver regular beyond 3:30 programming.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

388

Recruited

84,200+

Citations

1. casel.org casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-does-the-research-say/

What Does the Research Say? The benefits of social and emotional learning (SEL) are well-researched, with evidence demonstrating that an education that promotes SEL yields positive.

2. learningpolicyinstitute.org learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/evidence-social-emotional-learning-schools-brief

Evidence for Social and Emotional Learning in Schools Evidence from hundreds of studies indicates a consistent, reliable effect of SEL programs on students' social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10497547/

Effectiveness of a social-emotional learning program on ... Based on the results of the present study, the SEL program might have a significant but small positive effect on the social competencies of the ...

4. medicine.yale.edu medicine.yale.edu/news-article/new-research-published-in-child-development-confirms-social-and-emotional-learning-significantly-improves-student-academic-performance-well-being-and-perceptions-of-school-safety/

Research Finds Social and Emotional Learning Produces ... This study confirmed that students who participated in SEL programs do better in school, academically and socially.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773233924000032

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects ... We report that students who participate in universal school-based SEL programs experienced significantly improved academic achievement, school functioning, ...

6. rand.org rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1822-2.html

Social and Emotional Learning in U.S. Schools By the 2023–2024 school year, 83 percent of school principals reported that their schools used a SEL curriculum, up from 76 percent in the 2021– ...