Behavorial Parent Training and Cognitive-Behavioral Self-Control Therapy With ADD-H Children: Comparative and Combined Effects

Abstract

We assessed the effects of behavioral parent training and cognitive-behavioral self-control therapy with 24 elementary school-age children diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. A randomized-group design with repeated measures and multiple outcome criteria was employed comparing behavioral parent training alone, self-control instruction alone, and a combination of the two treatments. All groups showed significant improvement over time, but the only significant Treatment Group x Time interaction reflected a greater decrease in hyperactivity scores at follow-up for children in the self-control instruction alone group. Furthermore, although there was significant maintenance of change at 1-month follow-up, there was no evidence for generalization of change to the classroom. Stepwise multiple-regression analysis showed that mothers with greater perceived extrafamilial and community social support, and children who were better able to reflect on problems, who admitted to greater self-control problems, and who had a more internal locus of control, evidenced greatest behavioral improvements.