Chapter 12 - Developing a shared formulation of child behavior problems with parents through assessment and psychoeducation

Abstract

The alarming rates of behavior problems, anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic have been identified by the National Institutes of Health as one of the most serious public health challenges that our nation has faced in over a 100 years. Extensive evidence supports the critical role families play in the etiology, maintenance, and treatment of childhood difficulties. Therefore, parents who are themselves stressed require parenting strategies to help them manage their child's problem behavior. This chapter reviews the behavioral foundation of family and evidence-based programs targeting child and adolescent problem behavior and briefly present parenting myths that can undermine parent engagement in treatment and provide strategies to address them.