Fostering Prosociality in the Family Context

doi:10.1017/9781108876681.030

26 - Fostering Prosociality in the Family Context

A Review of Parent- and Family-Focused Interventions Promoting Children’s Effortful Control and Prosocial Tendencies

from Part IV - Applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 May 2023

Qing Zhou ,

Aya Williams and

Kaley Curtis

Edited by

Tina Malti and

Maayan Davidov

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Tina Malti: Affiliation:
University of Toronto
Maayan Davidov: Affiliation:
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

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Summary

The critical role of effortful control (EC) in promoting prosocial development has been consistently supported in correlation studies. Yet it remains unclear whether promoting EC can be an intermediate target through which psychological interventions promote prosocial tendencies in youth. This review focuses on how to translate basic developmental research on family influences on children’s EC into family-focused interventions. First, we review key features of family socialization associated with children’s EC. Second, we conduct a qualitative review of randomized controlled studies of family-focused interventions that have examined EC as an outcome or mediator. We review key components and formats of these interventions and their efficacy in improving EC and related youth outcomes. We also review family-focused interventions for promoting children’s prosocial tendencies. In summary, our review finds some evidence for the efficacy of family-focused interventions in improving children’s EC. Limitations of existing interventions and future directions are also discussed.

Keywords

effortful control family-focused interventions prosocial tendencies mediator

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Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge Handbook of Prosociality
Development, Mechanisms, Promotion
, pp. 517 - 541

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108876681.030 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2023

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