Examining the Efficacy of Conjoint Behavioral Consultation for Middle School Students With Externalizing Behavior Problems

Abstract

This exploratory study examined the efficacy of Conjoint Behavioral Consultation for addressing classroom disruptive behavior for middle school students with externalizing behavior problems. In addition, the parent–teacher relationship, parent and teacher competence in problem-solving, and acceptability were examined. Participants were parents and teachers of four middle school students with externalizing behavior problems. Disruptive classroom behavior data were examined in a concurrent multiple baseline across participants design. Parent–teacher relationship, competence in problem-solving, and acceptability data were examined descriptively. Findings suggested improvements in disruptive behavior for each participant. However, limitations impeded interpretations. Parent–teacher relationship data were inconclusive. Six out of eight parents and teachers with pretest and posttest data reported improvements in their competence in problem-solving. All parents and teachers perceived the consultation process favorably. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Examining conjoint behavioral consultation to support students in middle school with social, emotional, and behavior concerns

“…CBC is a family‐school partnership intervention with findings from empirical studies (Sheridan et al., 2012, 2013, 2017, 2019) that demonstrate its efficacy for promoting SEB competencies, strengthening the parent‐teacher relationship, and improving parent and teacher competence in problem solving during elementary school. A small body of research has led to the development of a modified version of CBC for middle school students with SEB concerns (Garbacz, Beattie et al., 2020). The purpose of the present study was to examine this modified version of CBC for students in middle school with SEB concerns and vulnerability for later educational difficulties within the context of a small‐scale pilot study.…”

“…Findings suggested improvements in homework completion but minimal improvement in homework accuracy. Garbacz, Beattie et al (2020) examined the effect of CBC on middle school students' disruptive behavior in classrooms within the context of multiple baselines across participants' design (Garbacz, Beattie et al, 2020). Reductions in student disruptive behaviors were observed, but findings for parent-teacher relationship data were inconclusive.…”

“…In addition, a focus on culture and family values was embedded systematically at the beginning of the CBC process to better understand the family culture and parents' and students' experiences with the school over time; then, that information was woven throughout the CBC process. Table 1 includes a bulleted list of areas of emphasis for the CBC process during middle school based on findings from Garbacz, Beattie et al (2020) and Garbacz et al (2022). The next important step in the line of CBC research is to conduct a small-scale pilot study of CBC as modified based on parent, teacher, and student feedback during middle school.…”

“…Table 1 includes a bulleted list of areas of emphasis for the CBC process during middle school based on findings from Garbacz, Beattie et al. (2020) and Garbacz et al. (2022).…”

Examining treatment integrity in conjoint behavioral consultation in middle schools: A mixed methods study.

“…These rates can be reduced via early treatment of behavior concerns (Bevilacqua et al, 2018; Reinke et al, 2012). One treatment method, conjoint behavioral consultation (CBC), shows promise for use with early adolescent populations exhibiting behavior concerns (Garbacz et al, 2020).…”