[Use of the SELBST therapy programme in the treatment of adolescents with achievement problems--concept and stability of changes during therapy].
OBJECTIVE
Academic underachievement among adolescents is widespread and poses a great risk to their further development. The guide books and training programmes available to date have not been sufficiently evaluated. SELBST--a treatment programme for adolescents with problems of self esteem, achievement, and relationships is a clinical, cognitive-behavioural treatment programme that addresses problems common in adolescence. The programme module achievement problems seeks to improve academic achievement by reinforcing the motivation to achieve, enhancing organisational skills, optimizing participation during lessons, and closing gaps in particular fields of knowledge.


METHODS
Within a case-series study, ten adolescents aged 13 to 18 years were included. To obtain initial information on the stability of treatment effects over time with regard to juveniles with achievement problems, juveniles, their parents, and their teachers were interviewed after 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.


RESULTS
The considerable reduction of achievement problems as well as of comorbid symptoms during treatment was stable over a followup period of 12 months. The validity of the present study is limited due to the small sample size and the lack of a control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this pilot study show that the SELBST treatment programme seems to be helpful in reducing achievement problems among adolescents.
Walter
Daniel
D
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters am Klinikum der Universität zu Kö1n.
Döpfner
Manfred
M
D000293:Adolescent; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010379:Peer Group; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012073:Remedial Teaching; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D014477:Underachievement