Preliminary Evaluation of a Targeted, School-Based Social and Emotional Learning Intervention for at Risk Youth: Football Beyond Borders

Abstract

This brief report provides preliminary independent evidence of the efficacy of Football Beyond Borders (FBB), a targeted, school-based social and emotional learning (SEL) intervention for at-risk youth. FBB includes weekly SEL classroom sessions, activities on the football pitch, 1:1 therapy sessions, holiday support, and rewards trips. Propensity score matching and difference-in-differences estimation were used in a pre-test/post-test control group design to assess the impact of FBB on the mental wellbeing (assessed via the Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, SWEMWBS) of participants designated at-risk (N = 46 aged 12–14, 78.3% male), passive learners (N = 72, aged 12–14, 84.7% male), and role models (N = 35, aged 12–14, 85.7% male), with matched control samples derived from a subset of the #BeeWell cohort study (N = 8015). A significant intervention effect was observed for at-risk youth, with FBB leading to an increase of approximately 2.4 SWEMWBS points (d = 0.44). No significant intervention effects were observed for passive learners or role models. These results indicate that FBB can improve the mental wellbeing of at-risk youth. Accordingly, an explanatory trial is warranted.