Countering the damage of growing up in a fractured community 

Children and young people living in communities fractured by social, religious, and cultural intolerance and sectarianism are at risk of failing to develop the social-emotional competencies necessary for good emotional health, positive relationships, and personal and academic achievement. A new research paper, published in the Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences, outlines positive findings for a social-emotional learning (SEL) program called PATHS NI. PATHS NI was designed to foster pro-social behavior and mutual respect and understanding among children of different cultural backgrounds in Northern Ireland. The authors conducted a randomized control evaluation of the program between 2008 and 2011, involving 1,430 children. Findings are reported from data obtained through individual student assessments of social-emotional skills and from interviews with school principals, teachers, and students. The authors suggest the findings demonstrate the potential of SEL as a vehicle for children from fractured communities to achieve personal and academic success.

Johns Hopkins University

School of Education

Center for Research and Reform in Education

Research in Brief