Chapter 10 - Family Behavior Therapy

Abstract

This chapter provides support for the effectiveness of the program for treating problem behaviors among substance-abusing and conduct-disordered youth. The program includes multiple interventions, with an emphasis on various interventions mutually determined by the youth and her/his parent(s). The program is required to be evaluated against other therapies with demonstrated success for treating the population. This chapter further discusses an empirical comparison of the aforementioned program to a standardized problem-solving intervention in a sample of adolescents who are diagnosed with conduct disorder and substance dependence. Examination of study data indicates significant improvements consequent to both intervention programs across measures of drug use frequency and behavior. In addition, anecdotal information derived from patient and therapist reports suggests that youth who evidence serious behavior problems and high rates of drug use are less responsive to contingency contracting procedures, than their younger and less severe peers. The chapter concludes by discussing that treatment outcome is enhanced by having patients determine the degree of emphasis placed on each intervention, including the order in which these interventions are implemented during therapy.