An evaluation of the PATHS® School Programme in Birmingham: support for school children aged 4 - 6 years

A randomised controlled trial of the PATHS® School-Based Programme delivered in sixty primary schools across Birmingham City

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN32534848

Enrollment

Registered

2009-12-15

Start date

2009-06-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2017-05-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Conduct disorder (CD), hyperactivity, deficits in social and emotional wellbeing Mental and Behavioural Disorders Conduct disorders

Interventions

The PATHS® programme (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) curriculum is a programme for educators and counsellors and is designed to facilitate the development of self-control, emotional awaren

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Primary schools within Birmingham City 2. Children aged 4 - 6 years, either sex

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Secondary schools and schools outside of the City

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
The parent-completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is the primary outcome measure for total child difficulties. We shall also analyse the subscales of conduct, peer relationships and hyperactivity problems, social competence, and the impact supplement, which assesses the impact problem behaviour can have in other areas of life. The clinical cut-off is 17 for total difficulties - the higher the score the worse the problems. This measure (and all secondary measures) will be administered at November 2009 baseline, and June 2010 and 2011 follow-ups.	—

Measure

Time frame

The parent-completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) is the primary outcome measure for total child difficulties. We shall also analyse the subscales of conduct, peer relationships and hyperactivity problems, social competence, and the impact supplement, which assesses the impact problem behaviour can have in other areas of life. The clinical cut-off is 17 for total difficulties - the higher the score the worse the problems. This measure (and all secondary measures) will be administered at November 2009 baseline, and June 2010 and 2011 follow-ups.

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Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Baseline data collection will be via teacher-completed questionnaires, teacher roles and background survey (baseline only), PATHS Outcome Measure, School Climate Survey, implementation content survey, and implementation observations. 1. School climate: this survey measures general school climate, orientation of the school to innovation, collective responsibility, and working with parents 2. Teacher demographic and professional information: this survey measures demographic and professional information (behavioural management strategies) at baseline. In the June follow-ups, items regarding specific PATHS implementation support for programme condition teachers will be added to intervention group. 3. Teacher-reported measures of child problem behaviour: the PATHS outcome measure to assess social, emotional and behavioural problems in the school children 4. Observations of behaviours: we will use an observation developed for Fast Track that is a global rating scale of student behaviour. Timed observations involve conducting a 15-30 minute observation of teacher and classroom behaviour (developed by American Institute for Research [AIR]). At least one class will be observed in each school at each time point.	—

Measure

Time frame

Baseline data collection will be via teacher-completed questionnaires, teacher roles and background survey (baseline only), PATHS Outcome Measure, School Climate Survey, implementation content survey, and implementation observations. 1. School climate: this survey measures general school climate, orientation of the school to innovation, collective responsibility, and working with parents 2. Teacher demographic and professional information: this survey measures demographic and professional information (behavioural management strategies) at baseline. In the June follow-ups, items regarding specific PATHS implementation support for programme condition teachers will be added to intervention group. 3. Teacher-reported measures of child problem behaviour: the PATHS outcome measure to assess social, emotional and behavioural problems in the school children 4. Observations of behaviours: we will use an observation developed for Fast Track that is a global rating scale of student behaviour. Timed observations involve conducting a 15-30 minute observation of teacher and classroom behaviour (developed by American Institute for Research [AIR]). At least one class will be observed in each school at each time point.

—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026