Effects of the Promoting-Children Intervention with Multiple Informants: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Behavior problems are frequent in school-age children; however, few controlled studies have assessed the effects of social skills interventions with this population, especially involving different informants and environments. This study aimed to describe the effects of the Promoting-Children intervention in an experimental group design with children (Experimental Group and Control Group), utilizing various probes and informants, regarding the children’s behaviors before and after the intervention, a follow-up evaluation (social skills, behavior problems, academic performance) and assessment of the teachers and parents’ positive and negative educational practices. Teachers and parents/guardians responded to standardized instruments to measure educational social skills, negative practices, behavior problems, and social skills with various probes. The results demonstrated a reduction in behavior problems and negative practices, as well as an increase in social skills and educational social skills, in both the school and family environments, after the interventions in the Experimental Group, whereas no such changes were observed in the Control Group. This confirms the positive effects of the efficacy and effectiveness of the Promoting-Children intervention.