Premium
School‐based, Short‐term Group Treatment for Behaviorally Disturbed Young Adolescent Males: A Pilot Intervention
Author(s) -
Rauch Steven P.,
Brack Catherine J.,
Orr Donald P.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1987.tb00515.x
Subject(s) - psychology , anxiety , clinical psychology , intervention (counseling) , maturity (psychological) , developmental psychology , cognition , psychiatry
Behaviorally maladjusted students represent a serious problem for schools. A short‐term group counseling program was initiated as an alternative to out‐of‐school suspensions for male students in a middle school (grades six‐eight). Thirteen adolescents were identified for group treatment. All received a standard psychiatric interview, and standard measures of self‐concept, anxiety, cognitive complexity, and sexual maturity. Eleven students referred to the program had conduct disorders supported by Devereux Behavior profiles. Compared to 48 males of similar age (m = 12.5 years) without behavior problems, no significant differences were noted in self‐concept or anxiety. Boys with behavior problems were less cognitively mature ( p = .02) and were significantly ( p = .001) more advanced in Tanner sexual maturity rating than the comparison group. A behavior management system using group rewards and consequences for individual behavior was utilized. Disciplinary problems decreased in the classroom during treatment but no long‐term changes were noted following cessation of treatment. The data raises the question whether early sexual maturation modifies an adolescent's risk for psychological problems. Short‐term group treatment may be effective in improving classroom behavior of behaviorally disturbed adolescent males.