Bottom Line: A wide-range of programs to help children and adolescents with self-regulation appear to be effective.
Why The Research Is Interesting: Self-regulation includes the ability to control emotions, avoid inappropriate or aggressive actions, and engage in self-directed learning. Self-regulation is important for maintaining health and well-being throughout life.
Who and When: 49 randomized trials evaluating self-regulation interventions, which included 23,098 children and adolescents from age 2 to 17 identified in a review of all studies published through July 2016; interventions were curriculum-based, mindfulness and yoga, family-based, exercise-based, and social and personal skills programs
What (Study Measures): Self-regulation outcomes in children and adolescents
How (Study Design) : This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. A meta-analysis combines the results of multiple studies identified in a systematic review and quantitatively summarizes the overall association between the same exposure and outcomes across all studies.
Authors: Anuja Pandey, M.D., of University College London Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, United Kingdom, and coauthors
Study Limitations: Self-regulation outcomes were not uniform and not uniformly reported.
Related Material: The editorial, "Regulating Our Enthusiasm for Self-Regulation Interventions," by Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., of Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, also is available on the For The Media website .
For more details and to read the full study, please visit the For The Media website .
(doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.0232)
Editor's Note: This article contains funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
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JAMA Pediatrics