title: The Effectiveness of an Interpersonal Cognitive Problem-Solving Strategy on Behavior and Emotional Problems in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the "I Can Problem Solve" (ICPS) program on behavioral and emotional problems in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 33 children with ADHD aged between 6 to 11 years. The study used a pre- and post-test quasi-experimental design with one group. The researchers taught 33 children with ADHD how to apply ICPS over a period of 14 weeks. The Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6-18 (Teacher Report Form) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) Based Disruptive Behavior Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (parents' and teacher's forms) were used to evaluate the efficacy of the program. The scales were applied to parents and teachers of the children before and after the ICPS program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings indicated that the measured pre-training scores for behavioral and emotional problems (attention difficulties, problems, anxious/depressed, withdrawn/depressed, oppositional defiant problems, rule breaking behaviors, and aggressive behaviors) were significantly decreased in all children post-training. In addition, children's total competence scores increased (working, behaving, learning and happy) after the ICPS program.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results, it is likely that, ICPS would be a useful program to decrease certain behavioral and emotional problems associated with ADHD and to increase the competence level in children with ADHD. An additional benefit of the program might be to empower children to deal with problems associated with ADHD such as attention difficulties, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and oppositional defiant problems.
authors.affiliation: Gulhane Military Medical Academy, School of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Celale Tangül
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Özcan
authors.affiliation: Gulhane Military Medical Academy, School of Nursing, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fahriye
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Oflaz
authors.affiliation: GGulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tümer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Türkbay
authors.affiliation: Gülhane Indiana/Purdue University Center for Brief Therapy, Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Freeman Clevenger
keywords: ADHD; Interpersonal cognitive problem-solving strategies; behavioral emotional problems