Skip to main content
Log in

Trainers' Behavior and Participants' Persistence in a Longitudinal Preventive Intervention for Disruptive Boys

  • Published:
Journal of Primary Prevention Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One of the challenges of preventive intervention is the retention ofparticipants. Retention has been especially problematic when interventionsrequire a long-term engagement of participants. Investigations to documentfactors that predict enrolment and retention in clinical or preventiveprograms focused mainly on socio-familial factors, parental and childcharacteristics, and the therapist–family relationship. To our knowledge,the contribution of trainers' behaviors on participants' persistence in along-term preventive intervention was never documented. Trainers'(n = 8) behaviors were videotaped during self-regulation andsocial skills training for disruptive boys (n = 58). Trainers' behavior wascoded by independent observers and classified in seven mutually exclusivecategories. Boys' total attendance in the program was used as the indicatorof persistence. Results indicated that trainers' individual contact with theboys was the best predictor of persistence in the program.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Abidin, R. R. (1986). Parenting Stress Index (PSI) manual (2nd ed). Charlottesville, VA: Pediatric Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abikoff, H. (1985). Efficacy of cognitive training interventions in hyperactive children: A critical review. Clinical Psychology Review, 5, 479–512.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abramowitz, A. J., & O'Leary, G. G. (1991). Behavioral interventions for the classroom: Implications for students with ADHD. School Psychology Review, 2, 220–234.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, L. M., Stevens, D. D., Prawat, R. S., & Nikerson, J. (1988). Classroom task environments and students' task-related beliefs. Elementary School Journal, 88, 281–295.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armbruster, P., & Kazdin, A. E. (1994). Attrition in child psychotherapy. In T. H. Ollendick & R. J. Prinz (Eds.), Advances in clinical child psychology (pp. 81–108) New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armbruster, P., & Schwab-Stone, M. E. (1994). Sociodemographic characteristics of dropouts from a child guidance clinic. Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 8, 804–808.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barber, M. A., Milich, R., & Welsh, R. (1996). Effects of reinforcement schedule and task difficulty on the performance of attention deficit hyperactivity disordered and control boys. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 25, 66–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Behar, L., & Stringfield, S. (1974). A behavior rating scale for the preschool child. Developmental Psychology, 10, 601–610.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bicard, D. F., & Neef, N. A. (2002). Effects of strategic versus tactical instructions of adaptation to changing contingencies in children with ADHD. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 35, 375–389.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlebois, P., Bernèche, F., LeBlanc, M., Gagnon, C., & Larivée, S. (1995) Classroom seating and juvenile delinquency. In J. McCord (Ed.), Coercion and punishment in long term perspectives (pp. 198–212). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlebois, P., LeBlanc, M., Larivée, S., Gagnon, C., & Tremblay, R. E. (1995). Teacher, mother and peer support in the elementary school as protective factors against juvenile delinquency. International Journal of Behavior Development, 18, 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlebois, P., Normandeau, S., & Vitaro, F. (1999). Skills training for inattentive, overactive, aggressive boys: Differential effects of content and delivery method. Behavioral Disorders, 24, 137–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlebois, P., Vitaro, F., Normadeau, S., & Rondeau, N. (2001). Predictors of persistence in a longitu-dinal preventive intervention program for young disruptive boys. Preventive Science, 2, 133–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, D. A., & Linton, K. L. P. (1995). Parent participation in an adolescent drug abuse prevention program. Journal of Drug Education, 25, 159–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conduct Disorder Prevention research Group. (2002). The implementation of the Fast Track Pro-gram: An example of a large-scale prevention science efficacy trial. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 30, 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, C. E., Bremner, R., & Boyle, M. (1995). Large group community-based parenting pro-grams for families of preschoolers at risk for disruptive behavior disorders: Utilization, cost effectiveness, and outcome. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 36, 1141–1159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dahlstrom, W. G., Welsh, G. S., & Dahlstrom, L. E. (1975). An MMPI hand book. Vol.II, Research developments and applications. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeVito, J. A. (1993). Essentials of human communication. New York: Harper Collins College.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster, S. L., & Robin, A. L. (1998). Parent–adolescent conflict and relationship discord. In E. J. Mash and R. S. Barkley (Eds.), Treatment of childhood disorders (pp. 601–646). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gagnon, C., Vitaro, F., & Tremblay, R. E. (1992). Parent–teacher agreement on kindergarten's behavior problems: A research note. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 33, 1255–1261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Good T. L. (1981). Teachers' expectations and student perceptions: A decade of research. Educational Leadership, 38, 415–421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hawkins, J. D., Doueck, H. J., & Lishner, D. M. (1988). Changing teaching practices in mainstream classrooms to improve bonding and behavior in low achievers. American Educational Research Journal, 25, 31–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, R. L. (1992). Empowering organizations: A facilitating role of counselors in restructuring schools. Athens, GA: University of Georgia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, M. B., & Offord, D. R. (1989). Reduction of antisocial behavior in poor children by non school skill development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 30, 737–750.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kandel, D. B., & Wu, P. (1995). Disentangling mother–child effects in the development of antisocial behavior. In J. McCord (Ed.), Coercion and punishment in long term perspectives (pp. 106–123). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (1996a). Combined and multimodal treatments in child and adolescent psychotherapy: Issues, challenges, and research directions. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice, 3, 69–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E. (1996b). Dropping out of child psychotherapy: Issues for research and practice. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 1, 133–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., Stolar, M. J., & Marciano, P. L. (1995). Risk factors for dropping out of treatment among white and black families. Journal of Family Psychology, 9, 402–417.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., Mazurick, J. L., & Bass, D. (1993). Risk for attrition in treatment of antisocial children and families. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 1, 2–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., & Wassell, G. (1999). Barriers to treatment participation and therapeutic change among children referred for conduct disorder. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 28, 160–172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kerman, S. (1979). Teacher expectations and student achievement. Phi Delta Kappan, 60, 716–718.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupersmidt, J. B., Coie, J. D., & Dodge, K. A. (1990). The role of peer relationships in the development of conduct disorder. In S. R. Asher & J. D. Coie (Eds.), Peer rejection in childhood (pp. 274–308). New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, P. P. (1988). Assessment of personality and behavior problems: Infancy through adolescence. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGraw, S. A., McClements, L., Lasater, T. M., Assaf, A. L., & Carleton, R. A. (1989). Methods in program evaluation: The process evaluation system of the Pawtucket health program. Evaluation Review, 13, 459–483.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGraw, S. A., Stone, E. J., Osfanian, S. K., Elder, J. P., Perry, C. L., Johnson, C. C., Parcel, et al. (1994). Design of process evaluation within the child and adolescent trial for cardiovascular health (CATCH). Health Education Quaterly (Suppl. 2).

  • Patterson, G. R., & Chamberlain, P. (1994). A functional analysis of resistance during parent training therapy. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 1, 53–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pekarik, G. (1992). Post-treatment adjustment of clients who drop out early vs. late in treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 3, 379–387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pekarik, E. G., Prinz, R. J., & Liebert, D. E. (1976). The Pupil Evaluation Inventory: A sociometric technique for assessing children's social behavior. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 4, 83–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prifitera, A., & Dersh, J. (1993). Base rates of WISC-III diagnostic subtest patterns among normal, learning disabled, and ADHD samples. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment Monograph Series, Advances in Psychoeducational Assessment, Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd ed.), 43–55.

  • Prinz, R. J., & Miller, G. E. (1996). Parental engagement in interventions for children at risk for conduct disorder. In R. D. V. Peters & J. McMahon (Eds.), Preventing childhood disorders, substance abuse and delinquency (pp. 161–183). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Proctor, C. P. (1984). Teacher expectations: A model for school improvement. Elementary School Journal, 84, 469–481.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, B. H. (1992). Didactic methods for enhancing children's peer relations: A quantitative review. Child Psychology Review, 12, 363–382.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartzman, A. E., Ledingham, J. E., & Serbin, L. A. (1985). Identification of children at risk for adult schizophrenia: A longitudinal study. International Review of Applied Psychology, 34, 363–380.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoth, R., Goldberg, C., & Redmond, C. (1999). Engaging families in longitudinal preventive interven-tion research: Discrete-time survival analysis of socio-economic and socio-emotional risk factors. Journal of Consulting Clinical Psychology, 67, 157–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoth, R., Redmond, C., Kahn, J., & Shin, C. (1997). A prospective validation study of inclination, belief, and context predictors of family-focused prevention involvement. Family Process, 36, 402–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spoth, R., Redmond, C., & Shin, C. (2000). Modelling factors influencing enrolment in family focused preventive intervention research. Preventive Science, 1, 213–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Springer, J. F., Phillips, J. L., Phillips, L., Cannady, L. P., & Kerst-Harris, E. (1992). CODA: A creative therapy program for children in families affected by abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Journal of Community Psychology (OSAP Special issues), 54–74.

  • Tremblay, R. E., Desmarais-Gervais, L., Gagnon, C., & Charlebois, P. (1987). The Preschool Behavior Questionnaire: Stability of its factor structure between cultures, sexes, ages, and socio-economic classes. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 10, 467–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay, R. E., Le Marquand, D., & Vitaro, F. (1999). The prevention of defiant disorder and conduct disorder. In H. C. Quay & A. E. Hogan (Eds.), Handbook of disruptive behavior disorders (pp. 525–555). New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein, R. S., Soulé, C.R., Collins,, R.C., Cone, J., Mehlhorn, M., & Simontacchi, K. (1991). Expectations and high-school change: Teacher–researcher collaboration to prevent schoolfailure.American Journal of Community Psychology, 19, 333–363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weir, U., & Duveen, G. (1986). Further development and validation of the prosocial behavior ques-tionnaire for the use by teacher. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 22, 357–374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weschler, D. (1991a). Manual for the Weschler Children Intelligence Scale-Revised. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weschler, D. (1991b). Manual for the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yokishaswa, H. (1994). Prevention as cumulative protection: Effects of early family support and edu-cation on chronic delinquency and its risks. Psychological Bulletin, 115, 28–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zentall, S. S. (1989). Attentional cueing in spelling tasks for hyperactive and comparison regular classroom children. Journal of Special Education, 23, 83–93.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Charlebois, P., Vitaro, F., Normandeau, S. et al. Trainers' Behavior and Participants' Persistence in a Longitudinal Preventive Intervention for Disruptive Boys. The Journal of Primary Prevention 25, 375–388 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOPP.0000048027.47643.8f

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOPP.0000048027.47643.8f

Navigation