Foster healthy social and emotional development

Confidence

Quality of Evidence

The evidence supporting the fostering of healthy social and emotional development at the community level is high quality. Research demonstrates that strong social and emotional skills are critical for individual wellbeing, including better mental health, academic success, and improved relationships throughout life. Programs and interventions that focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools, workplaces, and community settings have been shown to effectively enhance those skills, leading to positive outcomes across the life course. The evidence is robust across different age groups and communities, highlighting the universal importance of social and emotional development.

Balance of Benefits and Harms

The balance of benefits versus harms in fostering social and emotional development is strongly in favor of benefits. Promoting these skills leads to improved mental health, better social relationships, and greater life satisfaction. Community-based interventions that teach social and emotional skills can also reduce antisocial behaviour and increase social cohesion. The potential harms, such as the misuse of resources or the implementation of poorly designed programs, are minimal and can be mitigated by careful planning, community engagement, and the use of evidence-based approaches. The guideline’s emphasis on age and community-appropriate activities further reduces the risk of ineffectiveness or harm.

Alignment with Values and Preferences

This guideline aligns well with the values and preferences of communities that prioritize education, wellbeing, and social cohesion. The recommendation to foster social and emotional development is likely to resonate with educators, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders who recognize the long-term benefits of these skills for individuals and society. While some communities may face challenges in prioritizing social and emotional development due to other pressing needs, the guideline’s focus on tailored and context-sensitive approaches makes it highly acceptable across diverse settings.

Feasibility

The feasibility of fostering social and emotional development at the community level is moderate to high. While implementing comprehensive SEL programs and resources requires coordination, funding, and expertise, many communities already have existing frameworks and institutions, such as schools and community centers, that can be leveraged to support these initiatives. The guideline’s emphasis on age and community-appropriate activities allows for flexibility, enabling communities to adapt the recommendations to their specific needs and resources. This increases the overall feasibility of fostering social and emotional development effectively.

Certainty of Recommendation

Based on our assessment of the above criteria, we are confident that promoting social and emotional learning and social skills development is critical to promoting social wellbeing. Our primary reservations relate to the extent to which such programs are effective, particularly given the varied genetic and environmental influences that may otherwise explain social dispositions. Nevertheless, we believe the likelihood that additional information or evidence would cause us to reverse this recommendation is low.

Overall Assessment

The overall rating for this guideline is Strong Recommendation, High Quality of Evidence.