NCJ Number
137014
Journal
Psychiatry Volume: 54 Dated: (May 1991) Pages: 148-161
Date Published
1991
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper reports on the effects of a Canadian program designed to prevent delinquent behavior in children judged to have a pattern of disruptive behavior while in kindergarten.
Abstract
One part of the study determined the effects of a preventive treatment program conducted during the boys' first 2 years in primary school. A total of 319 disruptive boys were randomly assigned to a treated group and two nontreated groups. Treatment consisted of training in parenting skills for the parents of the boys as well as training for the boys in social skills, fantasy play, and television viewing. The treated group was compared with the nontreated groups at the end of treatment and up to 3 years later. Analyses of the data at the end of treatment showed possible adverse treatment effects. Mothers in the treated group reported seeing more inattention and disruptive behavior in their children. In followup 2 years later, however, these observed differences had disappeared. Two years after treatment the treated boys reported less fighting and less theft than the untreated groups. The global measure of competence showed reasonable behavior in the classroom for the treated children. Results indicate that multifaceted treatment approaches can have positive effects on the behaviors of children who engage in disruptive behaviors in their kindergarten years. 6 tables and 73 references