This article presents findings from a meta-analysis of 213 school-based, universal social and emotional learning (SEL) programs involving 270,034 kindergarten through high school students. Compared to controls, SEL participants demonstrated significantly improved social and emotional skills, attitudes, behavior, and academic performance that reflected an 11-percentile-point gain in achievement. School teaching staff successfully conducted SEL programs. The use of 4 recommended practices for developing skills and the presence of implementation problems moderated program outcomes. The findings add to the growing empirical evidence regarding the positive impact of SEL programs. Policy makers, educators, and the public can contribute to healthy development of children by supporting the incorporation of evidence-based SEL programming into standard educational practice.

http://explorefhp.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Durlak-Weissberg-Child-Development-Meta-Analysis.pdf

The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social and Emotional Learning: A Meta‐Analysis of School‐Based Universal Interventions

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The Positive Impact of Social and Emotional Learning for Kindergarten to Eighth-Grade Students: Findings from Three Scientific Reviews. Technical Report.

The opioid crisis in the United States has come about because of excessive use of these drugs for both legal and illicit purposes and unprecedented levels of consequent opioid use disorder (OUD). More than 2 million people in the United States are estimated to have OUD, which is caused by prolonged use of prescription opioids, heroin, or other illicit opioids. OUD is a life-threatening condition associated with a 20-fold greater risk of early death due to overdose, infectious diseases, trauma, and suicide. Mortality related to OUD continues to escalate as this public health crisis gathers momentum across the country, with opioid overdoses killing more than 47,000 people in 2017 in the United States. Efforts to date have made no real headway in stemming this crisis, in large part because tools that already exist—like evidence-based medications—are not being deployed to maximum impact. To support the dissemination of accurate patient-focused information about treatments for addiction, and to help provide scientific solutions to the current opioid crisis, this report studies the evidence base on medication assisted treatment (MAT) for OUD. It examines available evidence on the range of parameters and circumstances in which MAT can be effectively delivered and identifies additional research needed.

Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Save Lives

Effectiveness of universal school-based programs to prevent violent and aggressive behavior: a systematic review.

Primary objective: To investigate how many people return to work (RTW) after acquiring brain injury (ABI) due to traumatic or non-traumatic causes. Secondary objectives were to investigate the diff...

How many people return to work after acquired brain injury?: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE. This study examined outcomes after traumatic brain injury in adults salient to occupational therapy. METHOD. Demographic data and Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores from the inpatient rehabilitation stay were first gathered from a retrospective chart review. At follow-up, 25 adults, on average 21 months post-injury, completed measures of disability, community participation, quality of life, and satisfaction with occupational therapy during a telephone interview. Analysis of covariance was used to test the differences between pretest and posttest scores on the FIM; regression analysis and correlations were used to analyze predictions and relationships. RESULTS. Statistically significant improvements in FIM scores during rehabilitation were predictive of the level of long-term disability and community participation among participants. At follow-up, participants were often unemployed, depressed and withdrawn, and experienced limitations in decision making, hand use, bladder control, and community integration. Less disability and more community participation were related to higher quality of life. Satisfaction with occupational therapy, although high, was unrelated to most outcomes. CONCLUSION. Results support the premise that participation is associated with a high quality of life, yet persons with brain injury have significant needs for long-term occupational therapy.

Community participation and quality of life outcomes after adult traumatic brain injury.

Patterns of sensory processing in children with an autism spectrum disorder

Objective This study tested the association between perceptions of personal control and quality of life among older persons. Method Two self-report instruments. The Quality of Life Rating (QOLR) and the Duncan Choice Index (DCI), were administered to 21 residents in a long-term-care facility. The DCI was developed for this study to measure the amount of choice available in 29 self-care and leisure activities. Results A significant positive correlation (r = .54; p = .01) between the amount of choice residents perceive they have and their quality of life was found. The DCI was shown to be reliable with preliminary evidence of construct validity. Conclusion Enhancing personal control in everyday life may be associated with improved quality of life. Occupational therapy strategies to empower residents through increasing choice and control include increasing community in the facility emphasizing personal responsibility, and enabling choices in everyday tasks.

Relationship between choice and quality of life among residents in long-term-care facilities.

Objective. This study examined the physical, emotional, social, and economic functions of service dogs, the training methods for service dog/owner teams, and problems encountered with service dogs in relationship to occupational therapy literature and domain of concern. Method. A 31-question survey was developed based on the literature and Uniform Terminology (AOTA, 1994) and was completed by 202 service dog owners from 40 states and Canada. Results. Owners reported that service dogs assisted them in 28 functional tasks, helped them to feel safe, increased their social interaction, and reduced physical assistance by others. Problems with service dogs included difficulty with dog maintenance and public awareness of their role as a worker or assistant to the owner. Over 80% of respondents desired additional training in alternative ways to perform daily living tasks. Conclusion. The use of service dogs is consistent with the occupational therapy domain of concern and practice. Occupational therapists might collaborate with service dog trainers and potential owners in referral, assessment, training, and follow-up services.

Ruth A. Huebner

Papers

Community participation and quality of life outcomes after adult traumatic brain injury.

Patterns of sensory processing in children with an autism spectrum disorder

Relationship between choice and quality of life among residents in long-term-care facilities.

Service Dogs: A Compensatory Resource to Improve Function

Medication-Assisted Treatment Improves Child Permanency Outcomes for Opioid-Using Families in the Child Welfare System.