MODERATORS OF TREATMENT OUTCOME IN COGNITIVELY BASED TREATMENT OF ANTISOCIAL CHILDREN

This study examined cognitive/academic functioning and severity of cli nical dysfunction as moderators of treatment outcome of cognitively ba sed treatment among children (N = 120, ages 7 to 13 years) referred fo r aggressive and antisocial behavior. We predicted that more favorable treatment outcome would be evident among children higher in intellect ual functioning, reading achievement, and level of school functioning, and with less severe and chronic symptoms of antisocial behavior and fewer symptoms across a range of diagnoses. The predictions were evalu ated in relation to posttreatment behavioral problems and prosocial fu nctioning at home and at school. Reading achievement, academic and sch ool dysfunction, and number of symptoms across all diagnoses predicted treatment outcome. Additional analyses indicated that parent, family, and contextual factors (socioeconomic disadvantage, parent dysfunctio n, and adverse child-rearing practices) were related to child predicto rs, as well as to treatment outcome. The results convey the importance of child moderators of cognitive-behavioral treatment, as well as bro ader parent, family, and contextual influences in which these are embe dded.