Preventing Violence in the Most Violent Contexts: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Evidence

75 Pages Posted: 24 May 2019 Last revised: 1 Aug 2019

See all articles by Lelys Dinarte

Lelys Dinarte

World Bank

Pablo Egana-delSol

Adolfo Ibanez University - School of Business; MIT Sloan

Date Written: May 23, 2019

Abstract

This paper provides experimental evidence of the impact of an after-school program on vulnerable public-school students in El Salvador. The program combined a behavioral intervention with ludic activities for students aged 10-16 years old. The authors hypothesize that it affects violence, misbehaviors, and academic outcomes by modulating emotional regulation or automatic reactions to external stimuli. Results indicate the program reduced reports of bad behavior and school absenteeism while increasing students? grades. Neurophysiological results suggest that the impacts on behavior and academic performance are driven by the positive effects of the program on emotional regulation. Finally, the study finds positive spillover effects for untreated children.

Keywords: Educational Sciences, Crime and Society, Education For All

Suggested Citation

Dinarte, Lelys and Egana-delSol, Pablo, Preventing Violence in the Most Violent Contexts: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Evidence (May 23, 2019). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 8862, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3393214

Lelys Dinarte (Contact Author)

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Pablo Egana-delSol

Adolfo Ibanez University - School of Business ( email )

Diagonal Las Torres
Penalolen
Santiago
Chile

MIT Sloan ( email )

100 Main Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States

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