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European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

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01-10-2008 | ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION

Psychosocial interventions for disruptive and aggressive behaviour in children and adolescents

A meta-analysis

Authors: Sturla Fossum, Bjørn Helge Handegård, Monica Martinussen, Willy Tore Mørch

Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry | Issue 7/2008

Abstract

Background

The effects of psychotherapy in reducing aggressive behaviours in children and adolescents using meta-analysis were estimated.

Method

Sixty-five studies were included, covering 4,971 cases. Teacher reported change in aggression, change in social functioning, and changes in parental distress were calculated.

Results

The mean effect size (ES) of change in aggression in studies with untreated controls was 0.62 and in studies without untreated controls the ES was 0.95. In studies with or without untreated controls, the ESs in teacher reported aggression was 0.41 and 0.63, the ESs in changes in social functioning was 0.42 and 0.49, and the ESs in changes in parental distress was 0.39 and 0.47, respectively.

Conclusion

Psychosocial treatments aimed at reducing aggressive behaviour have positive effects and additional treatment effects are moderate. In the moderator analysis, studies with untreated controls obtained significantly larger ESs if the sample size was small. Similarly, in studies without untreated controls, studies presenting diagnostic information, and studies with younger children resulted in significantly larger ESs, and studies applying behavioural interventions obtained significantly larger ESs as compared to studies applying family therapeutic interventions. There is still a need to further develop effective outpatient interventions for children being disruptive, and especially for adolescents.

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Title: Psychosocial interventions for disruptive and aggressive behaviour in children and adolescents
A meta-analysis
Authors: Sturla Fossum
Bjørn Helge Handegård
Monica Martinussen
Willy Tore Mørch
Publication date: 01-10-2008
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry / Issue 7/2008
Print ISSN: 1018-8827
Electronic ISSN: 1435-165X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0686-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Psychosocial interventions for disruptive and aggressive behaviour in children and adolescents

A meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

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