Self-Regulation Interventions for Children in Living Poverty in the United States: A Systematic Review

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the overall effects of self-regulation interventions for children living in poverty. Methods: The initial search identified 473 publications of randomized controlled trials, including 25 that met the inclusion criteria. We used a random effect meta-analysis with robust variance estimation to calculate the overall and subgroup effects. Meta-regression was used to examine the moderating effects of intervention approach, outcome category, measurement approach, and participant age. Results: A small to medium but significant overall impact was found (g = 0.35, 95% confidence interval = [0.29, 0.41]). Behavioral interventions had the greatest overall effect and greatest subgroup effects on behavioral outcomes and emotional outcomes. Age and measurement approach were found to have significant moderating effects. Conclusions: Behavioral interventions should be put more attention to during the self-regulation intervention on children living in poverty. In addition, inducing the intervention for children at younger ages might be more efficient.