The Good Behavior Game as a Universal Preventive Intervention: a Systematic Review of its Long-Term Effects

Area of Science:

• Child Psychology
• Behavioral Interventions
• Longitudinal Studies

Background:

• The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is a team-based strategy to manage classroom behavior.
• While short-term effects are known, long-term impacts require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the long-term outcomes of the GBG.
• To assess the GBG's impact across the lifespan and identify specific developmental periods and subgroups affected.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of 22 papers from 5 original studies evaluating long-term GBG effects.
• Assigned confidence indicators (strong, moderate, mixed, no evidence) to distal outcomes.

Main Results:

• Strong evidence: GBG decreases adolescent tobacco use risk.
• Moderate evidence: GBG prevents progression of disruptive behaviors to externalizing disorders.
• Moderate evidence: GBG with curriculum enhancement improves academic achievement and college attendance, especially for women.

Conclusions:

• The GBG demonstrates significant long-term benefits, particularly in reducing adolescent substance use and preventing severe behavioral issues.
• Further replication studies are needed to fully understand the GBG's long-term impact on various outcomes and developmental periods.