Evaluation of a short-term group therapy program for children with behavior problems and their parents.
The current study investigated the effectiveness of a short-term, cognitive behavioral program for 106 primary school-aged children referred with externalizing behavior problems and their parents, compared with 39 children and their parents on a waiting-list to be treated. Exploring Together' comprised a children's group (anger management, problem-solving and social skills training), a parents' group (parenting skills training and dealing with parents' own issues), and a combined children's and parents' group (to target parent-child interactions). The program reduced children's behavior problems and improved their social skills at home. Changes in children's behaviors and social skills at home were generally maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-up. Implications of the findings for improving interventions for childhood externalizing behavior problems are discussed.
Hemphill
S A
SA
School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia. s.hemphill@psych.unimelb.edu.au
Littlefield
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome