Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Measuring the Functional Abilities of Children Aged 3-6 Years Old with Observational Methods and Computer Tools
Published on: June 20, 2020
Promoting positive adult functioning through social development intervention in childhood: long-term effects from the
J David Hawkins1, Rick Kosterman, Richard F Catalano
1Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, and Educational Psychology, College of Education, University of Washington, Seattle 98115, USA. jdh@u.washington.edu
Objective:
To examine the long-term effects of the Seattle Social Development Project intervention in promoting positive adult functioning and preventing mental health problems, crime, and substance use (including tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs) at 21 years of age.
Design:
This nonrandomized controlled trial followed up participants to 21 years of age, 9 years after the intervention ended. We compared the following 3 intervention conditions: a full 6-year intervention (grades 1 through 6); a late 2-year intervention (grades 5 and 6 only); and a no-treatment control condition.
Setting:
Eighteen public elementary schools serving diverse neighborhoods, including high-crime neighborhoods, of Seattle, Wash.
Participants:
A sex-balanced, multiethnic sample of 605 participants across the 3 conditions who completed interviews at 21 years of age (94% of the original sample in these conditions).
Interventions:
Teacher training in classroom instruction and management, child social and emotional skill development, and parent training.
Main Outcome Measures:
Self-reports of functioning in school and work, emotional and mental health, and crime and substance use at 21 years of age and official court records.
Results:
Broad significant effects on functioning in school and work and on emotional and mental health were found. Fewer significant effects on crime and substance use were found at 21 years of age. Most outcomes had a consistent dose effect, with the strongest effects in subjects in the full-intervention group and effects in the late-intervention group between those in the full-intervention and control groups.
Conclusions:
A theory-guided preventive intervention that strengthened teaching and parenting practices and taught children interpersonal skills during the elementary grades had wide-ranging beneficial effects on functioning in early adulthood.
Related Concept Videos
Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood
The first four of Erikson's eight psychosocial stages...
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification