A cluster randomized trial of Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS®) with Swedish preschool children.

The study assesses the short-term effects of the PATHS programme in Swedish kindergartens. The kindergarten version of PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) is a school-based, teacher-implemented, universal intervention developed in the United States, designed to promote socio-emotional competence (SEC) in children as a foundation for improved mental health. In this study, the researchers investigate whether girls and boys benefited from participation in kindergarten PATHS, compared to girls and boys in the control group.

The results showed support for increased emotional knowledge, working memory and pro-social play after the intervention. Some of the results also indicated reduced internal and external behavioural difficulties, especially anxiety and somatic symptoms in girls. However, there was an unexpected increase in hyperactivity and impulsivity associated with the intervention.

Schools/kindergartens in three municipalities in a large Swedish city participated in the study. These municipalities were chosen because they represented a wide range of community types in terms of average income and other socioeconomic factors. Using a randomised study over two rounds with informant assessment and observation before and after the intervention, the researchers assessed changes in the children's emotional knowledge, emotional awareness, social problem solving, pro-social play, inhibitory control and working memory using structural equation modelling.

Eninger, L., Ferrer-Wreder, L., Eichas, K., Olsson, T. M., Hau, H. G., Allodi, M. W., Smedler, A.-C., Sedem, Gull, I. C. & Herkner, B. (2021). “A cluster randomized trial of Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS®) with Swedish preschool children”. Frontiers in Psychology, 2866.