Research

PATHS Works

PATHS® is a comprehensive program backed by extensive research — including numerous randomized controlled trials with diverse student populations.

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) awarded PATHS® its SELect designation, which is given to programs that demonstrate evidence of effectiveness at improving student outcomes at the highest level.

Measurable Return-On-Investment

$24.52

For every dollar invested, PATHS® returns $24.52 in benefits, including: Decreased behavioral and special-education costs for school districts; increased future earnings for students; and decreased healthcare and criminal-justice costs for taxpayers.

Source: Washington State Institute for Public Policy

More than two dozen studies confirm positive effects including:


Resilience

Improved Social-Emotional Competence
Sustained effects of the PATHS curriculum on the social and psychological adjustment of children in special education
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (2004)
Kam, C., Greenberg, M. T., & Kusché, C. A.
Improving young children’s social and emotional competence: A randomized trial of the preschool PATHS curriculum
Journal of Primary Prevention (2007)
Domitrovich, C. E., Cortes, R. C., & Greenberg, M. T.
Promoting academic and social-emotional school readiness: The Head Start REDI program
Child Development (2008)
Bierman, K.L., Domitrovich, C.E., Nix, R.L., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., Greenberg, M.T., Blair, C., Nelson, K. & Gill, S.
Promoting resilience: A preschool intervention enhances the adolescent adjustment of children exposed to early adversity
School Psychology (2020)
Sanders, M., Welsh, J.A., Bierman, K.L., & Heinrichs, B.
Sustained effects of a school readiness intervention: Fifth grade outcomes of the Head Start REDI program
Early Childhood Research Quarterly (2020)
Welsh, J.A., Bierman, K.L., Nix, R.L., Heinrichs, B., & Gest, S.D.
Promoting young children's social competence through the preschool PATHS curriculum and My Teaching Partner professional development resources
Early Education and Development (2012)
Hamre, B. K., Pianta, R. C., Mashburn, A. J., & Downer, J. T.
Impact findings from the Head Start CARES Demonstration: National evaluation of three approaches to improving preschoolers' social and emotional competence
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation Report (2014)
Morris, P., Mattera, S.K., Castells, N., Bangser, M., Bierman, K., & Raver, C.
Short-term intervention effects of the  PATHS curriculum  in young low-income children: Capitalizing on plasticity
Journal of Primary Prevention (2016)
Fishbein, D., Domitrovich, C., Williams, J., Gituki, S., Guthrie, C., Shapiro, D., & Greenberg, M. T.
Social emotional learning program boosts early social and behavioral skills in low-income urban children
Frontiers in Psychology (2020)
Calhoun, B., Williams, J., Greenberg, M., Domitrovich, C., Russell, M. A., & Fishbein, D. H.
Using complier average causal effect estimation to examine student outcomes of the pax good behavior game when integrated with the PATHS curriculum
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research (2020)
Bradshaw, C. P., Shukla, K. D., Pas, E. T., Berg, J. K., & Ialongo, N. S.
A randomized controlled trial of the combination of two school-based universal preventive interventions
Developmental Psychology (2019)
Ialongo, N. S., Domitrovich, C., Embry, D., Greenberg, M., Lawson, A., Becker, K. D., & Bradshaw, C.
Social competence and Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies -  PATHS preschool curriculum
Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice (2012)
Arda, T. B., & Ocak, S.
The effects of Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies preschool program on teacher–children relationships and children's social competence in Turkey
International Journal of Psychology (2019)
Seyhan, G. B., Karabay, S. O., Tuncdemir, T. B. A., Greenberg, M. T., & Domitrovich, C.
A cluster randomized controlled trial of the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) curriculum
Journal of School Psychology (2016)
Humphrey, N., Barlow, A., Wigelsworth, M., Lendrum, A., Pert, K., Joyce, C., . . . Turner, A.
A cluster-randomized trial of Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS®) with Swedish preschool children
Frontiers in Psychology (2021)
Eninger, L., Ferrer-Wreder, L., Eichas, K., Olsson, T. M., Hau, H. G., Allodi, M.,  Smedler, A. Sedem, M., Gull, I.C., & Herkner, B.
An evaluation of the preschool PATHS curriculum on the development of preschool children
Educational Psychology in Practice (2015)
Hughes, C., & Cline, T.
Improved Peer Relations
Initial impact of the Fast Track prevention trial for conduct problems: II. Classroom effects
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1999)
Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group
The randomized-controlled trial of Head Start REDI: Sustained effects on developmental trajectories of social-emotional functioning
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (2016)
Nix, R.L., Bierman, K.L., Heinrichs, B.S., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., & Domitrovich, C.E.
A cluster-randomized trial of Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS®) with Swedish preschool children
Frontiers in Psychology (2021)
Eninger, L., Ferrer-Wreder, L., Eichas, K., Olsson, T. M., Hau, H. G., Allodi, M.,  Smedler, A. Sedem, M., Gull, I.C., & Herkner, B.
An evaluation of the preschool PATHS curriculum on the development of preschool children
Educational Psychology in Practice (2015)
Hughes, C., & Cline, T.

Academics

Improved Academic Achievement
Promoting academic and social-emotional school readiness: The Head Start REDI program 
Child Development (2008)
Bierman, K.L., Domitrovich, C.E., Nix, R.L., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., Greenberg, M.T., Blair, C., Nelson, K. & Gill, S.
Effects of Head Start REDI on children’s outcomes one year later in different kindergarten contexts
Child Development (2014)
Bierman, K.L., Nix, R.L., Heinrichs, B.S., Domitrovich, C.E., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., & Gill, S.
Cluster-randomized trial demonstrating impact on academic achievement of elementary social-emotional learning
School Psychology Quarterly (2015)
Schonfeld, D.J., Adams, R.E., Fredstrom, B.K., Weissberg, R.P., Gilman, R., Voyce, C., Tomlin, R., ... Speese-Linehan, D.
Social emotional learning program boosts early social and behavioral skills in low-income urban children
Frontiers in Psychology (2020)
Calhoun, B., Williams, J., Greenberg, M., Domitrovich, C., Russell, M. A., & Fishbein, D. H.
The causal impact of socio-emotional skills training on educational success
Review of Economic Studies (2024)
Sorrenti, G, Zolitz, U., Ribeaud, D.,  & Eisner, M.
Improved Attention, Engagement, and Readiness
Promoting academic and social-emotional school readiness: The Head Start REDI program
Child Development (2008)
Bierman, K.L., Domitrovich, C.E., Nix, R.L., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., Greenberg, M.T., Blair, C., Nelson, K. & Gill, S.
Effects of Head Start REDI on children’s outcomes one year later in different kindergarten contexts
Child Development (2014)
Bierman, K.L., Nix, R.L., Heinrichs, B.S., Domitrovich, C.E., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., & Gill, S
The randomized-controlled trial of Head Start REDI: Sustained effects on developmental trajectories of social-emotional functioning
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (2016)
Nix, R.L., Bierman, K.L., Heinrichs, B.S., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., & Domitrovich, C.E.
Sustained effects of a school readiness intervention: Fifth grade outcomes of the Head Start REDI program
Early Childhood Research Quarterly (2020)
Welsh, J.A., Bierman, K.L., Nix, R.L., Heinrichs, B., & Gest, S.D.
Short-term intervention effects of the PATHS Curriculum in young low-income children: Capitalizing on plasticity
Journal of Primary Prevention (2016)
Fishbein, D., Domitrovich, C., Williams, J., Gituki, S., Guthrie, C., Shapiro, D., & Greenberg, M. T.
Social emotional learning program boosts early social and behavioral skills in low-income urban children
Frontiers in Psychology (2020)
Calhoun, B., Williams, J., Greenberg, M., Domitrovich, C., Russell, M. A., & Fishbein, D. H. (04 November
A randomized controlled trial of the combination of two school-based universal preventive interventions
Developmental Psychology (2019)
Ialongo, N. S., Domitrovich, C., Embry, D., Greenberg, M., Lawson, A., Becker, K. D., & Bradshaw, C.
Social competence and Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies - PATHS preschool curriculum
Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice (2012)
Arda, T. B., & Ocak, S.
Improved Executive Functions
Short-term intervention effects of the  PATHS curriculum in young low-income children: Capitalizing on plasticity
Journal of Primary Prevention (2016)
Fishbein, D., Domitrovich, C., Williams, J., Gituki, S., Guthrie, C., Shapiro, D., & Greenberg, M. T.
A cluster-randomized trial of Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS®) with Swedish preschool children
Frontiers in Psychology (2021)
Eninger, L., Ferrer-Wreder, L., Eichas, K., Olsson, T. M., Hau, H. G., Allodi, M.,  Smedler, A. Sedem, M., Gull, I.C., & Herkner, B.
Improved Interpersonal Problem-Solving
Preventive intervention for school-aged deaf children: The  PATHS curriculum
Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education (1998)
Greenberg, M. T., & Kusche, C. A.
Promoting academic and social-emotional school readiness: The Head Start REDI program 
Child Development (2008)
Bierman, K.L., Domitrovich, C.E., Nix, R.L., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., Greenberg, M.T., Blair, C., Nelson, K. & Gill, S.
Impact findings from the Head Start CARES Demonstration: National evaluation of three approaches to improving preschoolers' social and emotional competence. Executive Summary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation Report (2014)
Morris, P., Mattera, S.K., Castells, N., Bangser, M., Bierman, K., & Raver, C.
Short-term intervention effects of the  PATHS curriculum  in young low-income children: Capitalizing on plasticity
Journal of Primary Prevention (2016)
Fishbein, D., Domitrovich, C., Williams, J., Gituki, S., Guthrie, C., Shapiro, D., & Greenberg, M. T.
Social competence and Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies -  PATHS preschool curriculum
Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice (2012)
Arda, T. B., & Ocak, S.
Improved Emotional Understanding
Promoting emotional competence in school-aged children: The effects of the  PATHS curriculum
Development and Psychopathology (1995)
Greenberg, M. T., Kusche, C. A., Cook, E. T., & Quamma, J. P.
Improving young children’s social and emotional competence: A randomized trial of the  preschool PATHS curriculum
Journal of Primary Prevention (2007)
Domitrovich, C. E., Cortes, R. C., & Greenberg, M. T.
Impact findings from the Head Start CARES Demonstration: National evaluation of three approaches to improving preschoolers' social and emotional competence
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation Report (2014)
Morris, P., Mattera, S.K., Castells, N., Bangser, M., Bierman, K., & Raver, C.
An evaluation of the preschool PATHS curriculum on the development of preschool children
Educational Psychology in Practice (2015)
Hughes, C., & Cline, T.
The effects of an emotional education program on the emotional skills of six-year-old children attending preschool
Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice (2010)
Saltali, Neslihan Durmosoglu; Deniz, M. Engin

Behavior

Reduced Aggression and Hyperactivity
Initial impact of the Fast Track prevention trial for conduct problems: II. Classroom effects
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1999)
Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group.
Promoting academic and social-emotional school readiness: The Head Start REDI program
Child Development (2008)
Bierman, K.L., Domitrovich, C.E., Nix, R.L., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., Greenberg, M.T., Blair, C., Nelson, K. & Gill, S.
Effects of Head Start REDI on children’s outcomes one year later in different kindergarten contexts
Child Development (2014)
Bierman, K.L., Nix, R.L., Heinrichs, B.S., Domitrovich, C.E., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., & Gill, S.
Reducing adolescent psychopathology in socioeconomically disadvantaged children with a preschool intervention: A randomized controlled trial
American Journal of Psychiatry (2020)
Bierman, K.L., Heinrichs, B.S., Welsh, J.A., & Nix, R.L.
The randomized-controlled trial of Head Start REDI: Sustained effects on developmental trajectories of social-emotional functioning
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (2016)
Nix, R.L., Bierman, K.L., Heinrichs, B.S., Gest, S.D., Welsh, J.A., & Domitrovich, C.E.
Promoting resilience: A preschool intervention enhances the adolescent adjustment of children exposed to early adversity
School Psychology (2020)
Sanders, M., Welsh, J.A., Bierman, K.L., & Heinrichs, B.
Short-term intervention effects of the  PATHS curriculum  in young low-income children: Capitalizing on plasticity
Journal of Primary Prevention (2016)
Fishbein, D., Domitrovich, C., Williams, J., Gituki, S., Guthrie, C., Shapiro, D., & Greenberg, M. T.
Social emotional learning program boosts early social and behavioral skills in low-income urban children
Frontiers in Psychology (2020)
Calhoun, B., Williams, J., Greenberg, M., Domitrovich, C., Russell, M. A., & Fishbein, D. H.
The effectiveness of two universal preventive interventions in reducing children’s externalizing behavior: A cluster randomized controlled trial
Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology (2011)
Malti, T., Ribeaud,  D., & Eisner, M. P.
Social competence and Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies - PATHS preschool curriculum
Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice (2012)
Arda, T. B., & Ocak, S.
An evaluation of the preschool PATHS curriculum on the development of preschool children
Educational Psychology in Practice (2015)
Hughes, C., & Cline, T.
Reduced Depression and Anxiety
Improving young children’s social and emotional competence: A randomized trial of the preschool PATHS curriculum
Journal of Primary Prevention (2007)
Domitrovich, C. E., Cortes, R. C., & Greenberg, M. T.
Reducing adolescent psychopathology in socioeconomically disadvantaged children with a preschool intervention: A randomized controlled trial
American Journal of Psychiatry (2020)
Bierman, K.L., Heinrichs, B.S., Welsh, J.A., & Nix, R.L.
Promoting resilience: A preschool intervention enhances the adolescent adjustment of children exposed to early adversity
School Psychology (2020)
Sanders, M., Welsh, J.A., Bierman, K.L., & Heinrichs, B.
Short-term intervention effects of the PATHS curriculum in young low-income children: Capitalizing on plasticity
Journal of Primary Prevention (2016)
Fishbein, D., Domitrovich, C., Williams, J., Gituki, S., Guthrie, C., Shapiro, D., & Greenberg, M. T.
Social emotional learning program boosts early social and behavioral skills in low-income urban children
Frontiers in Psychology (2020)
Calhoun, B., Williams, J., Greenberg, M., Domitrovich, C., Russell, M. A., & Fishbein, D. H.
Improved Classroom Atmosphere
Initial impact of the Fast Track prevention trial for conduct problems: II. Classroom effects
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (1999)
Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group
Fostering high quality teaching in Head Start classrooms: Experimental evaluation of an integrated curriculum
American Educational Research Journal (2009)
Domitrovich, C.E., Gest, S.D., Gill, S., Bierman, K.L., Welsh, J. & Jones, D.
Social competence and Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies - PATHS preschool curriculum
Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice (2012)
Arda, T. B., & Ocak, S.