This project compares the short- and long-term effectiveness of a clinic-adapted manualized group treatment (i.e., Coping Power; CP) to individualized child and family treatment for children aged 9 - 12 with disruptive behaviour. Children and their parents who meet criteria and agree to participate in the project are randomly assigned to either the CP condition or the Individualized treatment condition. In the CP condition, children and caregivers are asked to participate in two separate but complimentary 15-session groups. Child groups target development of children's emotional and cognitive problem solving skills and caregiver groups facilitate cognitive and behavioural parenting skills. In the Individualized treatment condition children and caregivers are asked to participate in 15 one-hour individual and family treatment sessions tailored by the clinician to address the children and parent's presenting concerns. Measurement of behaviour and emotional functioning is done pre- post- and at 6-months following treatment.
This study investigates the effectiveness of a clinic-adapted version of the Coping Power program compared to individualized child and family treatment for children with disruptive behaviour and their parents.