Behavior Management in Young Children Exposed to Trauma: A Case Study of Three Evidence-Based Treatments

AbstractYoung children are particularly vulnerable to traumatic events and the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms, including comorbid disruptive behaviors. Fortunately, several evidence-based interventions have been shown to be effective at decreasing both posttraumatic stress symptoms and disruptive behaviors in young children. This paper provides an overview of three such interventions —Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). An illustrative case study is used to compare how each intervention addresses disruptive behaviors, with a focus on theoretical underpinnings, model similarities, a nd model differences. The models each have empirical evidence for the treatment of disruptive behavior in young children, and therefore, may be appropriate for treating children with a history of trauma exposure and comorbid disruptive behaviors. Child, caregiver, and environmental factors are essen tial to consider when identifying an evidence-based intervention for this population.
Source: Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma - Category: Child Development Source Type: research