[Pilot study on the effectiveness of a multimodal group treatment for children with oppositional defiant disorder in clinical primary care].

AIM: Pilot study on the effectiveness of a multimodal group treatment for children with oppositional defiant disorder in clinical primary care.

OBJECTIVE

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a frequent disorder in children and a common cause for referral to child psychiatric services. ODD consists of irritability, headstrongness and hurtful behaviours. The aim of the pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of combined cognitive-behavioural group interventions – the Baghira group training for the children and the Positive Parenting Program Triple P – in an outpatient child psychiatric service.

METHOD: 42 children with ODD who attended the combined interventions were compared to 26 untreated probands in a waiting list control group. Externalizing problem behaviour, aggression and delinquency were assessed at treatment begin, treatment end and at the 6-month follow-up with questionnaires for the children, parents and teachers.

RESULTS

In comparison to the waiting list control group in the treatment group parent-reported externalizing problems decreased significantly between pre- and posttreatment assessment. A trend to significance was found for the decrease of teacher reported delinquency. Medium effect sizes were found and all effects were stable at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study the combined interventions have shown to be effective in clinical primary care for the treatment of ODD and beneficial for the children and their families. For the assessment of the specific effectiveness of the Baghira group training further and larger studies are required.