School-based, short-term group treatment for behaviorally disturbed young adolescent males: a pilot intervention

Behaviorally maladjusted students represent a serious problem for schools. A short-term group counseling program was initiated as an alternative to out-of-school suspensions for male students in a middle school (grades six-eight). Thirteen adolescents were identified for group treatment. All received a standard psychiatric interview, and standard measures of self-concept, anxiety, cognitive complexity, and sexual maturity. Eleven students referred to the program had conduct disorders supported by Devereux Behavior profiles. Compared to 48 males of similar age (m = 12.5 years) without behavior problems, no significant differences were noted in self-concept or anxiety. Boys with behavior problems were less cognitively mature (p = .02) and were significantly (p = .001) more advanced in Tanner sexual maturity rating than the comparison group. A behavior management system using group rewards and consequences for individual behavior was utilized. Disciplinary problems decreased in the classroom during treatment but no long-term changes were noted following cessation of treatment. The data raises the question whether early sexual maturation modifies an adolescent's risk for psychological problems. Short-term group treatment may be effective in improving classroom behavior of behaviorally disturbed adolescent males.