Abstract

PICHARDO MARTINEZ, M. Carmen; ARRAEZ, Ana Justicia; CORREDOR, Guadalupe Alba  and  CABEZAS, María Fernández. Social Competence Development and Behavior Problems Prevention in Preschool Classrooms. Pensam. psicol. [online]. 2016, vol.14, n.1, pp.21-31. ISSN 1657-8961.  https://doi.org/10.11144/Javerianacali.PPSI14-1.dcsp.

Objective. The purpose of the study is to analyze the longitudinal effect of the universal prevention program, Aprender a Convivir, on children' social competence and behavioral problems. Method. 197 three-year-old children participated in the program for three consecutive school years and were assessed by their teachers in different variables related to social competence and behavior problems variables. Data analysis was carried out through a repeated-measures simple ANOVA including as intra-subject factor assessment time-pretest (3-year-old) and postest (5-year-old). Results. A significant improvement was observed in the experimental group both in the variables of social competence (social cooperation d = 1.55; social interaction d = 1.91; and social independence d = 1.32) as in the variables of behavior problems (internalizing d = 0.40; and externalizing d = 0.48) analyzed. Conclusion. The Aprender a Convivir prevention program contributes to social competence development of preschool students, and also has an indirect effect on the reduction of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems.

Keywords : Social competence; behavior problems; primary prevention; preschool; longitudinal study.

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