1- Student Research Committee, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
4- Department of Biostatistics, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (2909 Views)
Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on internalizing problems of children with externalizing disorders
Methods: It was an experimental study with a pre-test/post-test control group design. Among the students of elementary schools of Tehran City, Iran, 90 boys were selected based on the mothers' report and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) by convenience sampling method. Fifty students whose scores equaled 63 or higher in the externalizing scale were diagnosed as individuals with externalizing disorders. Afterward, 32 individuals who acquired T-score ≥ 60 were assigned randomly in the experimental and control groups (each with 16 students). The experimental group was divided into two subgroups (8 individuals in each subgroup) and participated in 16 cognitive-behavior therapy (Coping Cat program) sessions (1 hour, twice a week). The control group received only the mainstream Program of the school. After the last session, their mothers completed the CBCL again. The obtained data were analyzed by One-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA).
Results: The results of One-way ANCOVA showed that the internalizing problems, i.e. withdrawn/depressed, somatic complaints, and anxious/depressed symptoms of the experimental group have reduced significantly after participating in the cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions.
Discussion: Cognitive behavioral therapy (Coping Cat Program) is an effective method for reducing internalizing problems of children with externalizing disorders. Therefore, the program can be used to prevent the negative consequences of internalizing problems such as poor academic performance and social adaptation of the students with externalizing disorders.
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● Comorbidity of internalizing and externalizing problems is an important and common problem.
● Internalizing problems are neglected in the evaluation and treatment of children with behavioral disorders.
● Internalizing problems exacerbates externalizing problems; it also has consequences like increasing in compatibility, and academic failure.
Plain Language Summary
Externalizing problems are important predictors for internalizing problems. Among the problems of internalizing, anxiety is more common and is more connected with other internalizing problems. So treating these problems should be considered in children with the externalizing disorder. Many previous studies have examined cognitive-behavioral therapy. The results of our study showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy (Coping Cat Program) has reduced internalizing problems, especially anxiety in children with externalizing disorders. As a result, this can be prevented the undesirable consequences of behavioral disorders.
Article type:
Original Research Articles |
Subject:
Exceptional Children Received: 2019/08/29 | Accepted: 2019/11/2 | Published: 2020/06/1