Unprecedented National Survey of High School Age Youth Will Gather Data on the Emotional Needs of Young People in School and in Their Communities
The Research will be Presented at the Emotion Revolution Summit in October 2015
New Haven, CT – Today, the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, in partnership with Born This Way Foundation, launched the Emotion Revolution initiative to build awareness of the critical role emotions play in young people’s learning, decision-making, and overall wellness.
The initiative will begin with an unprecedented online survey of high-school age youth nation-wide, exploring how young people feel, how they want to feel, and how to bridge the gap between the two. This data will strengthen the scientific understanding of how to most effectively build positive school climates and empower young people with the emotional tools they need to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives. The survey is available at EmotionRevolution.org beginning today, April 9, 2015.
Results from the survey will be presented at the Emotion Revolution Summit in October. Hosted at Yale University, the Summit will feature youth participants from around the country as well as special guests, including Yale President Peter Salovey, Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence Director Marc Brackett, and Born This Way Foundation Co-Founders Cynthia Germanotta and Lady Gaga.
The summit will serve as a platform to unveil the findings of the study as well as offer youth the opportunity to share their ideas for creating improved learning environments with key educators, academics, and policy makers. A major goal of the summit is to create momentum around the national social and emotional learning (SEL) movement and to provide youth and educators with the resources they need to accelerate positive changes in their schools and communities.
“Emotions drive learning, decision making, relationships, and health. Research has shown us repeatedly that the skills of emotional intelligence profoundly impact a person’s ability to thrive – academically, personally, and professionally,” said Marc Brackett, Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. “The Emotion Revolution survey will allow us to take the emotional temperature of young people around the country, improving our understanding of how to best equip them with the tools they need to succeed in every facet of life.”
The need for an Emotion Revolution has never been greater. Far too many young people today are feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and bored. According to the American Psychological Association, for the first time high school-age youth are feeling more stressed than adults. Left unchecked, such emotions can impair mental and physical health, interfere with learning, and hinder prospects for future success. The Emotion Revolution is dedicated to helping to reverse these trends.
“Born This Way Foundation is excited to partner with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence on this important initiative,” said Cynthia Germonatta, Co-Founder and President of Born This Way Foundation. “Our organizations are dedicated to empowering young people in order to make the world a kinder and braver place. This survey is a fundamental step towards accomplishing that goal.”
This is the second time Born This Way Foundation has partnered with major research institutions on a study to improve the scientific understanding of young people’s mental and emotional wellbeing. In 2013 and 2014, the foundation worked with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National Council for Behavioral Health, and the National Association of School Psychologists to collect thousands of survey responses exploring young people’s opinions of mental health services. This research, which was later presented at the American Psychological Association, revealed junior high and high school-age youth preferred to receive mental health services through texting or online communication methods.
ABOUT THE YALE CENTER FOR EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, co-founded by Dr. Marc Brackett, is home to the original scientific theory of emotional intelligence. The Center conducts research on emotions and the role of emotional intelligence in important life outcomes. The Center also develops innovative approaches to teaching emotional intelligence in school systems and other organizations, and studies the influence of emotional intelligence training on student, teacher, and leader effectiveness. RULER, the Center’s signature approach to teaching emotional intelligence has been adopted by hundreds of public and private schools across the United States, including, most recently large districts such as Bridgeport, CT and Seattle, WA. RULER has been shown to enhance teacher effectiveness, reduce problem behavior, positively shift school climate, and boost academic performance. The Center also works with Facebook on efforts related to both preventing and reducing bullying and state level departments of education and justice to promote the adoption of evidence-based approaches to social and emotional learning.
ABOUT BORN THIS WAY FOUNDATION: Led by Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation was founded in 2011 to support the wellness of young people and empower them to create a kinder and braver world. Born This Way Foundation achieves this by shining a light on real people, quality research and authentic partnerships. Working with more than 50 non-profit organizations, Born This Way Foundation has connected more than over 150,000 young people with services and programing in their communities. Born This Way Foundation has also partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National Council for Behavioral Health, and the National Association of School Psychologists to collect data from more than 2,500 young people. This research, presented before the American Psychological Association, improved our understanding of young people’s views of mental-health services and delivery methods.
MEDIA INQUIRIES
For Born This Way Foundation
DKC Public Relations, Rachel Martin – Rachel_Martin@dkcnews.com / 212.981.5236
For the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
Vermillion Media, Ellyn Solis – ellyn703@gmail.com / 201.665.3942 & Jill Siegel – jillsiegelnyc@gmail.com / 917.214.1710
