No abstract

Patient-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy in children with aggressive behavior, which uses group-based social skills training, has resulted in significant reductions in behavioral problems, with effect sizes in the small-to-medium range. However, effects of individually delivered treatments and effects on aggressive behavior and comorbid conditions rated from different perspectives, child functional impairment, child quality of life, parent-child relationship, and parental psychopathology have rarely been assessed. In a randomized controlled trial, 91 boys aged 6-12 years with a diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder and peer-related aggression were randomized to receive individually delivered social competence training (Treatment Program for Children with Aggressive Behavior, THAV) or to an active control involving group play that included techniques to activate resources and the opportunity to train prosocial interactions in groups (PLAY). Outcome measures were rated by parents, teachers, or clinicians. Mostly moderate treatment effects for THAV compared to PLAY were found in parent ratings and/or clinician ratings on aggressive behavior, comorbid symptoms, psychosocial impairment, quality of life, parental stress, and negative expressed emotions. In teacher ratings, significant effects were found for ADHD symptoms and prosocial behavior only. THAV is a specifically effective intervention for boys aged 6-12 years with oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder and peer-related aggressive behavior as rated by parents and clinicians.

The treatment program is an effective intervention for children with peer-related aggressive behavior.

Theoretischer Hintergrund: Der Fragebogen zum aggressiven Verhalten von Kindern (FAVK) dient der Erfassung vier möglicher aggressionsauslösender und -aufrechterhaltender Komponenten von Kindern und Jugendlichen zwischen 4 und 14 Jahren. Fragestellung: Der FAVK soll erstmals im Eltern- (n = 156), Lehrer- (n = 104) und Selbsturteil (n = 91) an einer klinischen Stichprobe (6 – 12 Jahre) untersucht werden. Methode: Überprüft werden faktorielle und interne Validität, Reliabilität und Aspekte divergenter und konvergenter Validität. Ergebnisse: Konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen bestätigen das zugrundeliegende vierfaktorielle Bedingungsmodell und eine in Feldstichproben gefundene dreifaktorielle Struktur. Interne Konsistenzen der Gesamtskalen sind zufriedenstellend (α > .70), ihre Wiederholungszuverlässigkeiten nicht. Die Korrelationen der Skalen zwischen den Beurteilern fallen geringer als erwartet aus. Zumindest im Elternurteil lassen sich die konvergente und divergente Validität bestätigen. Schlussfolgerung: Unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener Limitationen bestätigen die Befunde die Verwendung des FAVK in Klinik und Forschung.