The Effects of PATHS Program on Social and Emotional Competence, Neurocognitive and Emotional Mediators, Externalized Disorders and It's Relationship with Children's Physical and Mental Health

Behavioral disorders are the most common Childhood problems. They have many health, individual, family, educational, social and economic consequences and costs and through neurocognitive and emotional mediators have a great effect on children's physical and mental health. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of PATHS program (Persian version) on children's externalized behavioral disorders and problems. 600 students ages 6 to 12 include grades k-6 based on inclusion criteria such as social and economic class, educational settings and absence of severe physical and mental problems were selected conventionally and assigned in experimental and control groups randomly. Both groups were assessed by the Achenbach Teacher Report Form (TRF) before and after interventions. The experimental group received PATHS program for 1 educational year (two sessions per week), While the control group received custom educations. The results by ANCOVA indicated that the externalized behavioral disorders in the experimental group decreased significantly (p Results of the study have implications for using evidence-based programs such as PATHS for behavioral and preventive purposes and have a promising perspective for extending such programs.