Token Economies and Behavioural Change: An Evaluation of Their Effectiveness on Male Children in Sri Lankan Child Development Centers

Children residing in Sri Lankan Child Development Centers often confront a multitude of emotional and behavioural challenges, due to traumatic experiences such as abuse, neglect, and loss and the socioeconomic problems such as poverty. These difficulties are exacerbated by the institutionalized environment, leading to heightened vulnerability and an increased risk of developing long-term mental health issues. This study investigated the impact of a token economy intervention (star-chart) on conduct problems, emotional difficulties, and prosocial behaviours among male children residing in two Sri Lankan Child Development Centers. Employing a repeated measures design, 27 children aged 6-14 years were assessed using the Sinhala version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) before and after one-month token economy implementation. Results demonstrated the efficacy of the token economy system in reducing behavioural issues and fostering prosocial behaviours. The findings underscore the potential of this intervention within childcare settings and advocate for longitudinal research to evaluate long-term effects. Keywords: token economy; star-chart; conduct problems; prosocial behaviours; Child Development Centers.