Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
06:16
Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting
Published on: June 6, 2020
A Scoping Review of Interventions Promoting Kindness in Primary Schools
Sara Zanforlini1, Lucrezia Tomberli1, Tyler Colasante2
1Department of Education, Languages, Interculture, Literatures and Psychology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
The Journal of Genetic Psychology
|June 1, 2026
Summary
School kindness interventions are limited and lack clear definitions, often focusing on related skills like social-emotional learning. More precise measurement is needed to understand kindness
Area of Science:
- Education
- Psychology
- Child Development
Background:
- Kindness is a virtue linked to academic success and well-being in schools.
- Primary school interventions promoting kindness are scarce and poorly documented.
- Existing programs often lack a clear, consistent definition of kindness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map and analyze school-based interventions promoting kindness in children aged 6-11.
- To identify common approaches and underlying theoretical frameworks.
- To assess the clarity and consistency in defining and measuring kindness.
Main Methods:
- Scoping review following PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
- Inclusion of 17 peer-reviewed studies on kindness interventions.
- Analysis of intervention content, theoretical basis, and outcome measures.
Main Results:
- Most interventions used social and emotional learning (SEL), often incorporating mindfulness or self-compassion.
- Definitions of kindness were frequently vague, addressed through related concepts like prosocial behavior or empathy.
- Outcome measures and assessment tools rarely captured kindness directly or comprehensively.
Conclusions:
- Conceptual and operational ambiguity hinders comparability and evidence quality for kindness interventions.
- Future research requires clear definitions and validated tools for measuring kindness.
- Longitudinal studies and consistent keyword use are crucial for advancing research and policy on kindness in schools.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Community Based Intervention
Community-based interventions in mental health represent a paradigm shift from institution-centered care to treatments embedded within the fabric of local communities. By prioritizing inclusion and leveraging existing societal structures, this approach fosters a supportive environment conducive to addressing mental health challenges while promoting individual dignity and agency.
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
01:29Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions
Creating and executing a nursing diagnosis helps nurses plan care and guide patient, family, and community interventions. They are developed based on a patient's physical evaluation and support measuring the outcomes. It is not recommended to select random interventions throughout the planning process. Instead, consider the following six essential factors when choosing interventions:
02:40The Scientific Method
Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.
01:03Altruism
Altruistic behaviors are “unselfish” behaviors—those that help another individual at the expense of the individual carrying out the behavior. Despite the negative consequences for the altruistic animal, these behaviors are thought to have evolved for several reasons.
02:34Empathy
Some researchers suggest that altruism operates on empathy. Empathy is the capacity to understand another person’s perspective, to feel what he or she feels. An empathetic person makes an emotional connection with others and feels compelled to help (Batson, 1991). Empathy can be expressed in several ways, including cognitive, affective, and motor.
01:56Ethics in Research
Today, scientists agree that good research is ethical in nature and is guided by a basic respect for human dignity and safety. However, this has not always been the case. Modern researchers must demonstrate that the research they perform is ethically sound.