Abstract
BackgroundOver the past years, it has become clear that adapted cognitive behavior therapy can be effective for adolescents with externalizing problems and mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning (MID–BIF). Most adapted treatment protocols consist, however, of a combined cognitive and behavioral approach, even though it is actually unclear which approach is most suitable for these adolescents. This experimental study aimed to examine which treatment approach (cognitive versus behavioral) and which treatment sequence (cognitive–behavioral versus behavioral–cognitive) is most effective.MethodsParticipating adolescents (N = 42, 50% boys, Mage = 15.52, SD = 1.43) consecutively received a cognitive and behavioral emotion regulation training module, but were randomly assigned to a different module sequence condition. Emotion regulation and externalizing problems were measured before and after the modules, and with continuing weekly assessments.ResultsResults indicated that the cognitive module, by itself, was more effective than the behavioral module. In addition, the results indicated that it is most effective to include behavioral exercises after (rather than before) cognitive training.ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of cognitive treatment approaches for adolescents with MID–BIF, and show that treatment approaches may have different effects, depending on the order in which they are presented.
Highlights
Adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning (MID–BIF1; IQ between 50 and 85 and limitations in social adaptive skills; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) have a higher risk of developing externalizing problems than adolescents without MID–BIF (Dekker et al, 2002; Simó-Pinatella et al, 2019)
That the current study suggests that the behavioral module was, by itself, less effective than the cognitive module, this does not mean that clinicians should be inclined to omit behavioral techniques in all cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) protocols for adolescents with MID–BIF
The most important conclusion of this study is that for adolescents with externalizing behavior problems and MID–BIF, a cognitive approach of an emotion regulation training seems to be more effective than a behavioral approach
Summary
Adolescents with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning (MID–BIF1; IQ between 50 and 85 and limitations in social adaptive skills; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) have a higher risk of developing externalizing problems than adolescents without MID–BIF (Dekker et al, 2002; Simó-Pinatella et al, 2019). The first aim of the current experimental study is, to enable finetuning of adolescent focused CBT protocols, by examining the relative effects of two approaches to treat externalizing problems among adolescents with MID–BIF: a cognitive and behavioral approach to emotion regulation training. It has become clear that adapted cognitive behavior therapy can be effective for adolescents with externalizing problems and mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning (MID–BIF). Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of cognitive treatment approaches for adolescents with MID–BIF, and show that treatment approaches may have different effects, depending on the order in which they are presented
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
