A Meta-Analysis of interventions to reduce disruptive behaviour in classroom settings

Abstract

I conducted a meta-analysis of 48 single-case and small-group experimental design studies from 1997 to 2024 that investigated interventions to reduce disruptive behaviour in classroom settings. I extracted data from graphs displaying behavioural data resulting from interventions to reduce disruptive behaviour and then I calculated Tau-U effect sizes. A total of 180 effect sizes from the 48 studies produced a total mean effect size of -0.82 indicating that 82% of students experienced a reduction in their disruptive behaviour. Interventions designed for individual students produced a very large mean effect size (ES = -0.85, SD = 0.31) compared to class-wide strategies (ES = -0.76, SD = 0.30). The most prevalent intervention was group contingencies included in 13 studies. The most utilised intervention within this group was the Good Behaviour Game. All interventions provided in the studies included in this meta-analysis resulted in a reduction in disruptive behaviour, however not all interventions had a strong representation across the studies and therefore have limitations. A small number of experiments trialling an intervention may produce a large effect size, however, due to the need for replication to evoke confidence in the efficacy of an intervention, these results are tentative at best. There is also a strong theme for more training for teachers in classroom management skills as many teachers are reporting that they are not equipped for managing disruptive behaviour in the classroom.