Introduction
Childhood behaviour disorders, such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD), present significant challenges not only for the affected children but also for their families and society at large. These disorders, characterized by severe and persistent disruptive behaviours, can lead to substantial social, emotional, and economic burdens. The recent systematic review titled "Fifty years of preventing and treating childhood behaviour disorders: a systematic review to inform policy and practice" offers valuable insights into effective strategies for preventing and treating these disorders. This blog post will explore the key findings from this review and discuss how practitioners can leverage this information to improve outcomes for children.
Key Findings from the Systematic Review
The systematic review analyzed 37 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate interventions for preventing and treating behaviour problems in individuals aged 18 years or younger. The interventions were categorized into three main types: prevention programs, psychosocial treatments, and pharmacological treatments.
Prevention Programs
- Three programs—Classroom-Centered Intervention, Good Behavior Game, and Fast Track—significantly reduced behavioural diagnoses, with benefits lasting up to 35 years.
- Five additional programs reduced serious behaviour symptoms such as criminal activity.
- Prevention programs were found to be cost-effective, suggesting they may pay for themselves over time.
Psychosocial Treatments
- The Incredible Years program was notable for reducing ODD diagnoses.
- Three other interventions reduced criminal activity, with benefits lasting from 1 to 8 years.
- Psychosocial treatments showed modest-to-moderately robust effects overall.
Pharmacological Treatments
- While four medications reduced post-test symptoms, they were associated with important adverse events.
- Medications should be considered a last resort due to the short-term nature of their benefits and associated risks.
Implications for Practitioners
The findings from this systematic review highlight the importance of prioritizing prevention and psychosocial treatments over pharmacological interventions. Practitioners should focus on implementing evidence-based prevention programs that target at-risk children and involve parent training. These programs not only improve child outcomes but also offer long-term cost savings.
For children who require treatment, psychosocial interventions such as the Incredible Years program should be prioritized. These interventions provide significant benefits and can reduce the need for medication, which should be reserved for cases where other treatments have failed.
Encouraging Further Research
While the review provides a comprehensive overview of existing interventions, there is a need for further research to explore additional psychosocial treatments and to better understand the long-term risks and benefits of pharmacological treatments. Practitioners are encouraged to engage in research activities and collaborate with researchers to expand the evidence base for effective interventions.
Conclusion
By acting on the findings from this systematic review, practitioners can make informed decisions that prioritize prevention and psychosocial treatments, ultimately leading to better outcomes for children with behaviour disorders. To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Fifty years of preventing and treating childhood behaviour disorders: a systematic review to inform policy and practice.
