ERIC Number: EJ1410913
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 34
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0007-0998
EISSN: EISSN-2044-8279
The Impact of Relative Age Effects on Psychosocial Development: A Systematic Review
British Journal of Educational Psychology, v94 n1 p248-281 2024
Background: Within the same school class, it is usual to find children who differ in age by almost a full calendar year. Although associations between being relatively young and poor academic outcomes are well documented, and relatively consistent, the associations between being relatively young and psychosocial outcomes are less clearly documented. Aims: To review research which presents data relating to associations between a child's relative age and their psychosocial development. Methods: A systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Results: Fifty-nine papers met the inclusion criteria. The outcomes of the narrative synthesis and three meta-analyses found consistent, but very small, associations with relative age indicating that those who are relatively young are more likely to have more negative behaviour, mental well-being, and social experiences. Conclusions: Although being relatively young is associated with more negative psychosocial outcomes, the magnitude of these associations is consistently small. Furthermore, many of the outcome measures used are likely to be the result of multiple influences, not limited to the effects of relative age. Therefore, the findings are reassuring as they suggest that relative age itself is unlikely to substantially increase an individual's risk of poor psychosocial development.
Descriptors: Age Differences, Individual Development, Correlation, Academic Achievement, Meta Analysis, Behavior Problems, Well Being, Risk, School Entrance Age
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A