Treatment of Parent-Adolescent Conflict Through Behavioral Technology Training: A Case Study

Abstract

A two-phase parent consultation intervention was used to treat a noncompliant 14-year-old girl. Phase I was a management training program modeled after the Forehand and McMahon program for conduct disordered children. Phase 2 was a communication and problem-solving skills training program that incorporated procedures prescribed by Foster and Robin. Case progress was monitored using a parent's daily log of the child's behavior, direct observations of the family meetings, and a measure of the family issues that were resolved. After consultation, the child was meeting an average of 86% of the parents' objectives, family members were making fewer derogatory comments and more comments indicating effective listening during family meetings, and both the parents and the child agreed that important issues had been resolved. The case serves as an example of the application of case study strategies within a behavioral technology training approach to consultation services.