The essential role of theory in the science of treating children: Beyond empirically supported treatments

The central tenet of this article is that theory plays an essential role in the develop ment and evaluation of interventions for children's psychosoci al problems. Recent efforts to identify efficacious treatments have paid in sufficient attention to the role of psychological theory in intervention de velopment, evaluation, and application. Six principles of developmental psy chopathology (defined as a broad framework that incorporates diverse theore tical principles and orientations) are applied to the development, evaluati on, and application of interventions for the prevention and treatment of dy sfunction in children and adolescents. Specific benefits of incorporating t heoretical and empirical findings from developmental psychopathology in sch ool consultation research and practice are delineated. A view of empiricism as equivalent to science and a distrust of theory as a basis for intervent ion research and practice will hinder the development of a science of treat ing children. (C) 2000 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Publishe d by Elsevier Science Ltd.