SEL programs reduce disruptive behavior problems and emotional distress and foster prosocial behavior¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · review r2 · q3 · i1 small
Currency · newest study 2023 · checked against its sources 2026-10-17 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i1 Fostering social-emotional competencies facilitates positive prosocial behaviors (effect sizes 0.13 to 0.33) and SEL programs reduce disruptive behavior problems and emotional distress (effect sizes 0.13 to 0.33 and 0.10 to 0.31, respectively). → Greenberg 2023

Evidence¶

Greenberg 2023¶

Greenberg, M. T. (2023). Evidence for social and emotional learning in schools. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/928.269

q3 · i1 · review · r2

Synthesis across the 12 meta-analyses reviewed in the report's evidence section, drawing on hundreds of studies, reports reduced conduct problems and emotional distress; the report states "effect sizes range from 0.13 to 0.33 and 0.10 to 0.31, respectively".

"SEL programs reduce disruptive behavior problems and emotional distress (effect sizes range from 0.13 to 0.33 and 0.10 to 0.31, respectively)."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Emotional Intelligence — outcome: instruction changes it
• Social Awareness and Relationship Skills — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• Schools fostering high self-esteem and social and scholastic success reduce the likelihood of emotional and behavioral disturbance — related
• SEL program effects are sustained over long-term follow-up periods — related
• Social and emotional learning programs promote competencies, reduce behavior problems, and improve engagement and achievement, with sustained longer-term benefits — a broader claim this one bears on
• Compared with non-participants, nearly 24% more students who participated in schoolwide SEL programs exhibited increased pro-social behaviors and reported decreased distress — related
• Universal school-based SEL programs improve students' behaviour, with a small and, in recent randomised trials, negligible effect on academic achievement — a broader claim this one bears on
• SEL programs improve social emotional skills — related
• SEL interventions improve attitudes, self-regulation, behaviour, and academic performance across reported effect-size ranges — related
• Among specific student constructs, academic content, discipline issues, and interpersonal competencies were the most frequently measured outcomes in character education program studies — related
• SEL programs improve students' engagement and academic performance, with an 11-percentile-point achievement gain in the Durlak meta-analysis — related