Early social and emotional development is foundational for children’s health, education, well-being, and later adjustment in society. It is also a cornerstone of positive psychology—the exploration of human flourishing at an individual, community, and societal level. Habitual explanatory styles (e.g., mindsets and optimistic thinking) have an impact on human well-being and development and are often acquired during early childhood. These explanatory styles may be influenced by regular interactions with significant adults outside of the family setting. However, few studies have focused on the relationship between optimism, mindsets, and well-being of children in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) contexts. This scoping review systematically explores and maps out the literature on optimism, growth mindsets, and positive psychology with young children in ECEC. It identifies literature reporting qualitatively or quantitatively on theory or programs and interventions including optimism, growth mindset, and positive psychology in young children, reporting or implying a mechanism of change for the well-being of young children, and published between 1995 and 2021.
This study examined the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) on child well-being and family functioning outcomes for child welfare involved parents. A randomized controlled trial design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of SFBT as compared to treatment-as-usual in an outpatient substance abuse treatment center. Mixed linear models tested within and between-group changes using intent-to-treat analysis ( N = 180). Hedges’s g effect sizes examined the magnitude of treatment effects. Both conditions reported improvements on the child well-being measures (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function [BRIEF]-Parent Report and Child Behavior Checklist-School Age Form [CBCL-SA]) and family functioning measures (Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory [AAPI-2] and Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression [CES-D] Short Form) at posttest. While none of the between group analyses were statistically significant on either outcome domains, effect sizes did show improvements in the small to medium range for both groups. SFBT effect sizes for BRIEF subscales ranged from .024 to .267 and for control group ranged from .136 to .363. SFBT effect sizes on CBCL-SA subscales ranged from .059 to .321 and for control group ranged from .101 to .313. SFBT effect sizes on AAPI-2 subscales ranged from .006 to .620 and control group ranged from .023 to .624. SFBT effect sizes on CES-D measure were .428 and for control group were .317. Results show SFBT to be an effective intervention for helping parents around child well-being and family functioning outcomes similar to current empirically-supported therapies. SFBT provides a more strengths-based approach to help families improve family well-being and thus help improve their child’s well-being.
In the current announcement are presented the results of the third and fourth round of the quantitative research on children’s well-being over time in the Attica region (Greece) and are proposed economic and social policies for maximizing the children’s quality of life. More specifically, during the last years, the previous economic crisis in Greece has had negative effects on the society as a whole. Nowhere are these effects more evident than in the rapid increase of child poverty in the same time period. This study focuses on the various factors in children’s well-being and, by negative inference, on child poverty as reflected in the region of Attica by age group. In this way, it defines conceptually and operationally each of the aforementioned factors. Taking this into account, the presentation briefly discusses outputs of an empirical quantitative research on child poverty in the region of Attica on the basis of a new proposed methodological framework, in order to develop an evidence-based understanding of the multidimensional characteristics, extent and geographic distribution of the aggravation of children’s quality of life in the region of Attica (Greece). Moreover, rounds 3-4, of the quantitative research coincide with the outbreak of the pandemic of COVID-19. From this point of view, it is presented how the current health crisis of COVID-19 has affected children’s well -being in the Attica.
Background: Despite a considerable reduction in child mortality, nearly six million children under the age of five die each year. Millions more are poorly nourished and in many parts of the world, the quality of education remains poor. Children are at risk from multiple violations of their rights, including child labour, early marriage, and sexual exploitation. Research plays a crucial role in helping to close the remaining gaps in child well-being, yet the global evidence base for interventions to meet these challenges is mostly weak, scattered and often unusable by policymakers and practitioners. This mega-map encourages the generation and use of rigorous evidence on effective ways to improve child well-being for policy and programming. Objectives: The aim of this mega-map is to identify, map and provide an overview of the existing evidence synthesis on the interventions aimed at improving child well-being in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods: Campbell evidence and gap maps (EGMs) are based on a review of existing mapping standards (Saran & White, 2018) which drew in particular of the approach developed by 3ie (Snilstveit, Vojtkova, Bhavsar, & Gaarder, 2013). As defined in the Campbell EGM guidance paper; "Mega-map is a map of evidence synthesis, that is, systematic reviews, and does not include primary studies" (Campbell Collaboration, 2020). The mega-map on child well-being includes studies with participants aged 0-18 years, conducted in LMICs, and published from year 2000 onwards. The search followed strict inclusion criteria for interventions and outcomes in the domains of health, education, social work and welfare, social protection, environmental health, water supply and sanitation (WASH) and governance. Critical appraisal of included systematic reviews was conducted using "A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews"-AMSTAR-2 rating scale (Shea, et al., 2017). Results: We identified 333 systematic reviews and 23 EGMs. The number of studies being published has increased year-on-year since 2000. However, the distribution of studies across World Bank regions, intervention and outcome categories are uneven. Most systematic reviews examine interventions pertaining to traditional areas of health and education. Systematic reviews in these traditional areas are also the most funded. There is limited evidence in social work and social protection. About 69% (231) of the reviews are assessed to be of low and medium quality. There are evidence gaps with respect to key vulnerable populations, including children with disabilities and those who belong to minority groups. Conclusion: Although an increasing number of systematic reviews addressing child well-being topics are being published, some clear gaps in the evidence remain in terms of quality of reviews and some interventions and outcome areas. The clear gap is the small number of reviews focusing explicitly on either equity or programmes for disadvantaged groups and those who are discriminated against.
Ashrita Saran, Howard White, Kerry Albright et al.
Dijital çağda çocukların internet ve teknolojiye erişimi, bu erişimin niteliği ve dijital becerilerin gelişimi; eğitim, toplumsal katılım ve refah başta olmak üzere birçok alanda belirleyici bir etkiye sahiptir. Özellikle COVID-19 pandemisiyle birlikte uzaktan eğitim uygulamalarının yaygınlaşması, dijital teknolojilerin eğitime erişim ve fırsat eşitliği açısından taşıdığı önemi daha da artmıştır. Bu çalışma, on yedi yaş ve altı çocukların dijital erişim ve beceri durumlarını güncel literatür ve uluslararası raporlar temelinde incelemekte olup, ülkeler arasındaki farklılıkları karşılaştırmalı bir çerçevede ele almaktadır. Avrupa ülkeleri başta olmak üzere, farklı gelir gruplarını ve dijital gelişmişlik düzeylerini temsil eden ülkeler çalışmaya dâhil edilerek dijital eşitsizliklerin yapısı karşılaştırmalı olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Veriler, karşılaştırılabilirlik ve uyum ilkeleri dikkate alınarak OECD, UNICEF, ITU ve EUROSTAT tarafından 2020–2023 yılları arasında yayımlanan kaynaklardan elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular altyapı, gelir, coğrafya ve sosyoekonomik koşullardaki farklılıklar nedeniyle çocukların dijital fırsatlara erişiminde önemli eşitsizlikler bulunduğunu göstermektedir. Bu eşitsizliklerin yalnızca ülkeler arasında değil, ülkelerin kendi içindeki sosyoekonomik gruplar arasında da belirgin olduğu görülmektedir. Bu durum, dijital alandaki fırsat eşitsizliğinin azaltılmasında sosyal politikaların önemini ve çocukların nitelikli ve sürdürülebilir dijital erişim hakkının sosyal adalet ilkesi çerçevesinde güvence altına alınması gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır
No entitlement is more fundamental to children than the right to survive and flourish across all dimensions of life. Promoting child well-being requires not only safeguarding against risks but also enabling children to achieve their full developmental potential. However, research linking social protection to child protection and care outcomes remains limited, and guidance on designing programs to strengthen family unity and ensure quality care is underdeveloped. This study contributes new evidence from Indonesia, where the scale and institutional maturity of conditional cash transfer programs provide a unique opportunity to assess their effectiveness. Using the 2022 National Socioeconomic Survey (Susenas) and applying an inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) approach, the analysis yields robust causal estimates of the impacts of Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH), Indonesia’s flagship conditional cash transfer program. The results confirm significant improvements in child well-being, while heterogeneous effects reveal variation across socio-demographic and institutional contexts.
Firdaus Finuliyah, Moh. Khusaini, Ferry Prasetyia et al.
Previous studies on civic education and nationalism have predominantly focused on secondary or tertiary levels, leaving a critical gap regarding how Pancasila and Civic Education (PPKn) shapes nationalism attitudes among elementary school students and its connections to child well-being aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study investigates the role of PPKn instruction in cultivating nationalism attitudes among elementary school students in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, and explores implications for child well-being and SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). A quantitative survey design was employed, involving 312 Grade V and VI students, 24 PPKn teachers, and 9 school principals across three public and private elementary schools selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using validated Nationalism Attitude Scales (Cronbach's α = .87) and PPKn Learning Quality Inventory (α = .83), then analysed via multiple regression and structural equation modelling (SEM). Results reveal that PPKn instructional quality significantly predicts nationalism attitudes (β = .61, p < .001), with participatory methods and contextual content as strongest mediators. Extracurricular integration amplified this effect. However, digital literacy gaps and inconsistent pedagogical competencies among teachers moderated outcomes. These findings suggest that strengthening PPKn through innovative, inclusive pedagogy contributes not only to nationalism formation but also to broader child well-being and democratic citizenship, advancing Indonesia’s SDG commitments.
Abstract This study examined the effects of daily parental autonomy support on changes in child behavior, family environment, and parental well-being across 3 weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Day-to-day associations among autonomy-supportive parenting, parental need fulfillment, and child well-being were also assessed. Parents (longitudinal N = 469; Mage = 42.93, SDage = 6.40) of school children (6–19 years) reported on adjustment measures at two measurement occasions and completed up to 21 daily online questionnaires in the weeks between these assessments. Results from dynamic structural equation models suggested reciprocal positive relations among autonomy-supportive parenting and parental need fulfillment. Daily parental autonomy support, parental need fulfillment, and child well-being partially predicted change in adjustment measures highlighting the central role of daily parenting for children’s adjustment during the pandemic.
Andreas B. Neubauer, Andrea Schmidt, Andrea C. Kramer et al.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented a significant challenge to the wellbeing of parents, children, and families. The present study aimed to understand the strategies families used to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and their effects on family and individual functioning. In April and May 2020, and then one month later, 277 parents from 174 families who had previously participated in a trial of a family preventive intervention were invited to participate in an online survey regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents were asked to share the strategies they were using to cope that they found most effective, and responses were coded into 4 groups of coping strategies: Family Cohesion, Adaptability, Child-Focused, and Healthy Habits. At both months of data collection, parents completed measures regarding parent and child mental health and well-being, couple and coparenting relationship quality, parenting quality, and family cohesion. Strategies that fell under Family Cohesion, Child-Focused, and Healthy Habits did not predict any of the outcomes. Adaptability was associated with increases in couple relationship quality and child internalizing and externalizing behaviors from Month 1 to Month 2. The results suggest that the strategies parents use to help their families cope with COVID may have differing effects on parents and children.
Lindsey R. Gedaly, Joseph A. Cifelli, Mark Ethan Feinberg et al.
Child rights' promotion and protection remain paramount and an integral component of democracy in any nation.As such, traditional mass media-the press, radio and television-continue to be an extremely important source of information for many people regarding child protection issues, providing news and analyses about events around the globe.Thus, informed, sensitive and professional mass media play a critical role in shaping public opinion on and propagation of child rights and well-being.This article analyses the role of the Zimbabwean mass media-public and private-on issues of child protection in the country.It further observes that the media are sometimes found wanting with regards to children's issues by failing to report responsibly and sensitively.It also encourages media professionals to re-examine and improve the way children's issues are covered in print and broadcast media.
