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Child and adolescent group psychotherapy: A narrative review of effectiveness and the case for meta-analysis

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Journal of Child and Adolescent Group Therapy

Abstract

A summary of existing reviews addressing the effectiveness of psychotherapy with children and adolescents is provided, emphasizing three facets: 1) the effectiveness of psychotherapy in general with children and adolescents, 2) narrative reviews addressing the effectiveness of group psychotherapy with this population, and 3) meta-analyses of individual and group psychotherapy with children and adolescents. While narrative reviews point out methodological flaws and shortcomings in the literature making it difficult to arrive at effectiveness conclusion, meta-analyses indicate that group psychotherapy with children and adolescents is effective. The implications of these findings for managed mental health care and future research are considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Brigham Young University Provo, Utah

    Matthew J. Hoag B.S. & Gary M. Burlingame Ph.D.

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  1. Matthew J. Hoag B.S.
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  2. Gary M. Burlingame Ph.D.
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Hoag, M.J., Burlingame, G.M. Child and adolescent group psychotherapy: A narrative review of effectiveness and the case for meta-analysis. J Child Adolesc Group Ther 7, 51–68 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02548949

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