title: Evidence-based preventive intervention for preadolescent aggressive children: One-year outcomes following randomization to group versus individual delivery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Some research suggests that group interventions with antisocial youth may, on occasion, have iatrogenic effects. This is the first study to test the effects of group versus individual delivery of evidence-based intervention for aggressive children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred sixty fourth-grade children were randomly assigned by school to group coping power (GCP) or individual coping power (ICP). Longitudinal assessments of teacher and parent reports of behavior (Behavior Assessment System for Children [BASC]; Peer Affiliation and Social Acceptance [PASA]) were collected from baseline through a 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Growth curve analyses revealed that children in both conditions reduced teacher- and parent-reported externalizing behavior problems and internalizing behavior problems by the end of the 1-year follow-up. However, the degree of improvement in teacher-reported outcomes was significantly greater for children receiving an individual version of the program. In addition, children's baseline level of inhibitory control moderated intervention effects, showing children with low initial levels of inhibitory control to respond poorly in teacher-rated outcomes to group interventions compared to those delivered individually.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests overall benefits to children for either group or individual delivery of the Coping Power program under high-fidelity conditions; however, for children with low levels of initial self-regulation, individualized interventions will likely yield the most significant reduction in externalizing behavior in the school setting in preadolescence.
authors.affiliation: Center for Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems, University of Alabama.
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Lochman
authors.affiliation: REACH Institute, Arizona State University.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dishion
authors.affiliation: Center for Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems, University of Alabama.
authors.forename: Nicole P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: Center for Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems, University of Alabama.
authors.forename: Caroline L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Boxmeyer
authors.affiliation: Center for Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems, University of Alabama.
authors.forename: Lixin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.affiliation: Center for Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems, University of Alabama.
authors.forename: Meghann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sallee
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000374:Aggression; D002648:Child; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group; D000068356:Self-Control; D016896:Treatment Outcome