Psychosocial treatment programs of conduct disorders in childhood and adolescence: a review of evidence-based studies

Abstract

Despite the increasing scientific interest in evidence-based interventions for conduct problems in young people, there remains a wide gap between the knowledge gained through empirical research and clinical practice. The aims of the present study were to identify empirically supported psychosocial intervention programs for young people with conduct problems and to evaluate the underpinnings, techniques and outcomes of these treatments. We analyzed reviews and meta-analyses published between 1982 and 2011 concerning psychosocial intervention programs for children aged 3 to 12 years with conduct problems. According to the literature reviewed, parent training should be considered the first-line approach to dealing with young children, whereas cognitive-behavioral approaches have a greater effect on older youths. Family interventions have shown greater efficacy in older youths, whereas multi-component and multimodal treatment approaches have yielded moderate effects in both childhood and adolescence. Some limitations were found, especially regarding the evaluation of effects. Nevertheless, the literature analysis indicated that psychosocial interventions for minors with conduct problems are widely studied and can be considered a useful part of treatment planning for youths who display problems of adaptation. To date, no single program has emerged as the best. However, it emerges that the choice of intervention should be age-specific and should take into account developmental differences in cognitive, behavioral, affective and communicative abilities.