NCJ Number
169066
Date Published
1997
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Guidelines are presented to assist school personnel in interacting effectively with families of aggressive children and adolescents, based on a review of the literature on interventions for families of children who display problem behaviors.
Abstract
Violent and aggressive actions are typically committed by a very small percentage of students. Predictors for child aggression include child-related factors, factors related to the parents and family, and school factors. Family-focused interventions that have demonstrated success in reducing childhood aggression include parent management training, expanded parent management training, family therapy, and multisystemic approaches. Parent management training is the most structured intervention and requires the least therapist training, while family therapy is the least structured intervention and requires the most training. Multisystemic approaches fall in the middle of the continuum and require that school professionals receive administrative support, reduced caseloads, more flexible role expectations, supportive supervision, and continued professional training. Intervening effectively with families requires attention to three areas: the approach, the attitude, and the actions. The approach should rest on an ecological and systemic understanding of children's development and behavior, the attitude should be one of partnership and a search for solutions, and actions should include educating school personnel and families and creating supportive opportunities for parents to develop parenting skills. Tables and 140 references