General Psychiatry

Intervention in Kids With Behavioral Problems Benefits Them as Adults

Intervention in Kids With Behavioral Problems Benefits Them as Adults
Intervention in Kids With Behavioral Problems Benefits Them as Adults
Problem children that participated in an intervention program beginning at an early age are less likely to have substance abuse issues.

This randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of early intervention to prevent adult psychopathology and improve well-being in early-starting conduct-problem children.

Kindergarteners (N=9,594) in three cohorts (1991–1993) at 55 schools in four communities were screened for conduct problems, yielding 979 early starters. A total of 891 (91%) consented (51% African American, 47% European American; 69% boys). Children were randomly assigned by school cluster to a 10-year intervention or control. The intervention goal was to develop social competencies in children that would carry them throughout life, through social skills training, parent behavior-management training with home visiting, peer coaching, reading tutoring, and classroom social-emotional curricula.

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