Evaluation of a Targeted Cognitive-Behavioral Program for Children with Conduct Problems — The SNAP® Under 12 Outreach Project: Service Intensity,Age and Gender Effects on Short- and Long-Term Outcomes

Abstract

This study tested the effectiveness of a multifaceted, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) program for antisocial children — the SNAP^® Under 12 Outreach Project (ORP) — in relation to age, sex and indices of treatment intensity. Study participants were 80 clinic-referred children (59 boys and 21 girls) aged 6—11 years assigned to one of the following groups: control (CG; n = 14) who did not receive the ORP, matched (MG; n = 50) who received the ORP, and experimental (EG; n = 16) who received an enhanced version of the ORP. Results indicated significant pre—post changes for the EG and MG for Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)-measured delinquency and aggression, but no improvement for the CG. Positive relationships between the number of individual ORP components (e.g. number of children's CBT sessions) received and CBCL change scores were also found. Statistical associations tended to be larger for girls and older children (i.e. 10—11 years old) who may have been more cognitively advanced. Also, the number of children's CBT sessions predicted later convictions, even after controlling for prior CBCL delinquency scores. Findings from this study support the effectiveness of the ORP, but also highlight the need to take into account client characteristics when offering clinical treatment.

Keywords

antisocial behavior children cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)randomized controlled trial (RCT)service intensity

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