1. Does the Animal Fun program improve social-emotional and behavioural outcomes in children aged 4-6 years?
- Author
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Piek, Jan P., Kane, Robert, Rigoli, Daniela, McLaren, Sue, Roberts, Clare M., Rooney, Rosanna, Jensen, Lynn, Dender, Alma, Packer, Tanya, and Straker, Leon
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MOTOR ability , *SOCIAL development , *MENTAL health , *MULTIVARIATE analysis , *RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *COHORT analysis , *ANIMAL experimentation , *HYPERKINESIA , *ATTENTION , *COMPARATIVE studies , *DEPRIVATION (Psychology) , *RESEARCH methodology , *MEDICAL cooperation , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *RESEARCH , *SEX distribution , *SOCIAL classes , *SOCIAL skills , *EMOTIONAL intelligence , *EARLY intervention (Education) , *EVALUATION research , *PSYCHOLOGY , *THERAPEUTICS - Abstract
Animal Fun was designed to enhance motor and social development in young children. Its efficacy in improving motor skills was presented previously using a randomised controlled trial and a multivariate nested cohort design. Based on the Environmental Stress Hypothesis, it was argued that the program would also result in positive mental health outcomes, investigated in the current study. Pre-intervention scores were recorded for 511 children aged 4.83-6.17 years (M=5.42, SD=.30). Intervention and control groups were compared 6 months following intervention, and again in their first school year. Changes in teacher-rated prosocial behaviour and total difficulties were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and data analysed using Generalised Linear Mixed Models. There was a significant improvement in prosocial behaviour of children in the intervention group six months after initial testing, which remained at 18-month follow-up. Total difficulties decreased at 6 months for the intervention group, with no change at 18 months. This effect was present only for the hyperactivity/inattention subscale. The only significant change for the control group was an increase in hyperactivity/inattention scores from pre-intervention to 18-month follow-up. The Animal Fun program appears to be effective in improving social and behavioural outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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