Psychosocial Interventions for Disruptive Behavior in Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• Behavioral Psychology
• Evidence-Based Interventions

Background:

• Disruptive behavior is a primary reason for mental health referrals in children and adolescents.
• Identifying effective interventions is crucial for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and determine the most effective psychosocial interventions for disruptive behavior in children and adolescents.
• To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Main Methods:

• Searched major databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase) from 2014 to July 2024.
• Included RCTs comparing psychosocial interventions with treatment as usual or waitlist.
• Conducted data abstraction, risk of bias assessment, and strength of evidence evaluation by two reviewers.

Main Results:

• Meta-analyses of 64 RCTs in preschool and school-aged children showed significant reductions in disruptive behavior.
• Parent-only interventions and multicomponent interventions (including parent/caregiver/teacher and child) were effective immediately posttreatment.
• Evidence for long-term outcomes and adolescent interventions was limited due to heterogeneity and fewer pooled studies.

Conclusions:

• Multicomponent and parent-only psychosocial interventions demonstrate superiority over treatment as usual or waitlist for reducing disruptive behaviors in younger children.
• Substantial heterogeneity across age groups and interventions challenges definitive conclusions, particularly for long-term effects and adolescent populations.