Self-statement modification in the treatment of child behavior disorders: a meta-analysis

Reviews 48 outcome studies that applied self-statement modification (SSM) to childhood behavior disorders. Selection criteria restricted the review to controlled experimental studies and to children with disorders of clinically relevant severity. Meta-analysis was used to provide summary information about the observed effects of SSM. Collectively, SSM outcomes surpassed no treatment and placebo treatment by roughly a half of a standard deviation, on the average. Efficacy varied considerably with length of follow-up, experience level of therapists, age of children, outcome content area, and a number of other clinical and methodological differences among the studies. These qualifiers of observed efficacy are summarized and discussed in terms of implications for further research and application of SSM in child psychotherapy.