Strengthening the Social Information Processing Skills of Third Graders in Rural China

Objective: The study aimed to describe findings from a matched clusters trial of a school-based intervention Let’s Be Friends designed to promote social competence and prevent maladaptive behavior by strengthening the social information processing (SIP) skills of third-grade children in rural China. Method: Using a blocked cluster design with random sampling, 13 treatment schools (n = 355) of a total of 67 schools in the study site were randomly selected, and 14 schools (n = 341) formed the control condition. All third graders from the treatment schools received 14 sessions of intervention. Results: The adapted program appears to have strengthened children’s SIP skills, reduced aggressive behavior, and promoted cognitive concentration. The study does not confirm that children growing up in single-child families fare worse than children living with siblings. Conclusion: The program has the potential to strengthen the SIP skills of children in rural China.