Effectiveness of Universal Self-regulation–Based Interventions in Children and Adolescents A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Pandey A, Hale D, Das S, Goddings A, Blakemore S, Viner RM. JAMA Pediatr. Published online April 16, 2018. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.0232
As the development of self-regulation skills becomes a major focus for building resilience in children and averting the onset of mental health problems in later life, this systematic review of 49 studies and over 23,000 participants demonstrates that variety of interventions including 16 of 21 curriculum-based interventions (76%), 4 out of 8 mindfulness and yoga interventions (50%), 5 out of 9 family-based programs (56%), 4 out of 6 exercise-based programs (67%), and 4 out of 6 social and personal skills interventions (67%), or a total of 33 out of 50 interventions (66%) are effective at improving self-regulation in the short-term. Longer-term outcomes are less clear and it is not yet possible to recommend some of these interventions above others. An accompanying editorial in the same issue is also worth reading.