A meta-analysis of cognitive intervention, parent management training, and psychopharmacological intervention in the treatment of conduct disorder

Abstract

Conduct disorder in children and adolescents has developed into a very costly problem with severe negative consequences to individuals, families, and communities. A void exists in the literature in that no summaries have been found which compare the effectiveness of the leading treatment modalities for conduct disorder. The purpose of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis comparing three psychotherapeutic interventions for the treatment of conduct disorders in children and adolescents: 1) cognitive interventions, 2) parent management training, and 3) psychopharmacological intervention (i.e. the use of lithium carbonate and the use of stimulants [e.g., methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and pemoline]). The inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis accepted 26 studies for data collection and analysis.