Early language intervention improves behavioral adjustment in school : Evidence from a cluster randomized trial
Journal article
West, Gillian, Lervåg, Arne, Snowling, Margaret J., Buchanan-Worster, Elizabeth, Duta, Mihaela and Hulme, Charles. (2022). Early language intervention improves behavioral adjustment in school : Evidence from a cluster randomized trial. Journal of School Psychology. 92, pp. 334-345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2022.04.006
Authors | West, Gillian, Lervåg, Arne, Snowling, Margaret J., Buchanan-Worster, Elizabeth, Duta, Mihaela and Hulme, Charles |
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Abstract | Oral language skills are critical for psychosocial development and children with language difficulties are more likely than peers to experience behavioral problems. This study investigated the effects of an oral language intervention on behavioral adjustment. We collected teacher ratings of behavioral adjustment for 1173 children taking part in a cluster randomized trial of the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI) program in 193 primary schools. Ratings were collected before and immediately after the 20-week intervention. Children receiving the language program showed significantly greater improvements than the untreated control group on a latent variable reflecting behavioral adjustment (d = 0.23). However, the improvements in behavioral adjustment for children receiving language intervention were not mediated by improvements in language. We suggest that the improvements in behavioral adjustment are a consequence of the small group and individual teaching sessions in the language intervention program, which emphasizes the need to pay attention and regulate behavior. This emphasis appears to produce generalized improvements in children's behavior regulation outside of the targeted language teaching sessions. |
Keywords | language; behavior; behavioral adjustment; RCT; education |
Year | 2022 |
Journal | Journal of School Psychology |
Journal citation | 92, pp. 334-345 |
Publisher | Elsevier Ltd |
ISSN | 0022-4405 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2022.04.006 |
PubMed ID | 35618379 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85129738120 |
Funder | Educational Endowment Foundation |
Author's accepted manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 07 May 2022 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 17 Apr 2022 |
Deposited | 24 Feb 2025 |
Grant ID | EPR00640 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/915xx/early-language-intervention-improves-behavioral-adjustment-in-school-evidence-from-a-cluster-randomized-trial
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Author's accepted manuscript
AM_West_2022_Early_language_intervention_improves_behavioral_adjustment.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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