Preventing Child Behavior Problems in the Erlangen-Nuremberg Development and Prevention Study: Results from Preschool to Secondary School Age

A brief overview of the prevention part of the long-term Erlangen-Nuremberg Development and Prevention Study, which combines a prospective longitudinal and experimental design. Findings up to five years after intervention are reported. From a sample of 609 families with kindergarten children, subgroups participated in the universal prevention program EFFEKT (child social skills training, a parent training and a combination of both) or were assigned to equivalentcontrol groups. The short-term evaluation showed significant effects in mediating constructs (social problem solving and parenting behavior) and in educators’ ratings of children’s social behavior. In a follow-up after two to three years, school report cards showed fewer children with multiple behavior problems. In a further follow up after four to five years program children reported fewer externalizing and internalizing problems than the control group. There were no significant effects in the mothers’ reports on their children’s behavior. Most significant effect sizes ranged between d = 0.20 and d = 0.40. The findings suggest various positive long-term effects of the intervention. However, one need to be cautious with regard to over-generalizing the positive findings, because effect sizes vary over time and the positive findings could not be replicated in all investigated variables

Entwicklungspfade der Straftäterbehandlung: skizzierte Wege und Evaluation der Zielerreichung

Funder: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (1041)Zusammenfassung: Der Aufsatz gibt einen Überblick über die Konzepte und empirischen Evaluationsergebnisse zur Straftäterbehandlung seit den 1960er-Jahren. Zahlreiche Metaanalysen zeigen im Durchschnitt positive Ergebnisse. Kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Programme und das RNR-Modell haben die solideste Evidenzbasis, aber auch einige andere Ansätze sind erfolgversprechend. Bei Sexualtätern sind die Ergebnisse noch weniger einheitlich, insbesondere hinsichtlich der Behandlung in Gefängnissen. Bei der Umsetzung in die Praxis zeigen sich zahlreiche Einflüsse auf die Wirksamkeit, die den Programminhalt, den Kontext, die Probanden und die Methodik der Evaluation betreffen. Das „good lives model“ und das „desistance model“ erfordern kein anderes Paradigma, sondern sind gut mit dem „What-works-Ansatz“ und erweiterten RNR-Modell vereinbar. In diesem Rahmen werden 12 Vorschläge zur empirisch fundierten Weiterentwicklung der Straftäterbehandlung gemacht

Entwicklungspfade der Straftäterbehandlung: skizzierte Wege und Evaluation der Zielerreichung

This article provides an overview of concepts and empirical evaluation results of offender treatment since the 1960s. Many meta-analyses showed on average positive effects. Cognitive behavioral treatment programs and the risk-need-responsivity (RNR) model have the most solid evidence base but various other approaches are also promising. For sexual offenders the results are less uniform, in particular for treatment in prisons. The transfer from model projects into routine practice shows that many influences on effectiveness need to be considered, e.g. with respect to program content, context, participants, and evaluation method. The good lives model and desistance model do not need alternative paradigms but are well compatible with the extended RNR model and the what works approach. Within this framework, the article contains 12 proposals for empirically founded further development of offender treatment.Zusammenfassung Der Aufsatz gibt einen Überblick über die Konzepte und empirischen Evaluationsergebnisse zur Straftäterbehandlung seit den 1960er-Jahren. Zahlreiche Metaanalysen zeigen im Durchschnitt positive Ergebnisse. Kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutische Programme und das RNR-Modell haben die solideste Evidenzbasis, aber auch einige andere Ansätze sind erfolgversprechend. Bei Sexualtätern sind die Ergebnisse noch weniger einheitlich, insbesondere hinsichtlich der Behandlung in Gefängnissen. Bei der Umsetzung in die Praxis zeigen sich zahlreiche Einflüsse auf die Wirksamkeit, die den Programminhalt, den Kontext, die Probanden und die Methodik der Evaluation betreffen. Das „good lives model“ und das „desistance model“ erfordern kein anderes Paradigma, sondern sind gut mit dem „What-works-Ansatz“ und erweiterten RNR-Modell vereinbar. In diesem Rahmen werden 12 Vorschläge zur empirisch fundierten Weiterentwicklung der Straftäterbehandlung gemacht

The impact of contextual family risks on prisoners' children's behavioural outcomes and the potential protective role of family functioning moderators.

Research suggests that children of prisoners have an increased risk for behavioural and emotional problems. However, in a resilience approach, one should expect heterogeneous outcomes and thus apply a contextualized perspective. As this is rarely acknowledged in empirical research, the present study sought to fill this gap using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing study on 801 children of imprisoned fathers. We explored the extent to which cumulative family risks measured during the first year of life (e.g., poverty and mental health problems) predicted behavioural outcomes at age 9 and whether potentially protective aspects of family functioning moderated the impact of these risk factors. Cumulative risk significantly predicted behavioural outcomes, but the associations were weak. No strong evidence of moderation was found. At low risk, mother-child closeness moderated behavioural outcomes. There was also some evidence of moderation by accumulated protective factors. Potential implications for policy and practice and challenges for further research are discussed.The authors would like to thank the Economic and Social Research Council for providing funding for this research, the organisers of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study Summer Data Workshop 2013 for their introduction to the dataset and Steve Lainé for his technical support.This is the final version. It first appeared from Taylor & Francis via http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2015.105037

Adrenocortical Activity and Aggressive Behavior in Children: A Longitudinal Study on Risk and Protective Effects.

Most research on aggression and delinquency concentrates on risk factors. There has been less attention for protective factors and mechanisms, in particular with regard to biosocial influences. Based on theories of autonomous arousal and stress reactance the present study addresses the influence of adrenocortical activity as a risk and/or protective factor in the development of antisocial behavior in children. We also investigated relations to anxiousness and family stressors. In a prospective longitudinal study of 150 German boys, the first measurement took place at preschool age and contained an assessment of cortisol after waking up and 30 min later. Aggressiveness and anxiousness of the children were assessed by the kindergarten teachers with the Social Behavior Questionnaire. After 6 years, the children's behavior was rated by the teachers in middle school. Variable-oriented data analyses revealed a significant correlation between the total amount of cortisol after waking up and 30 min later (AUC G ) and anxiousness both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, but not with aggressiveness. A family stress index correlated positively with aggressiveness but neither with cortisol nor with anxiousness. There were significant correlations between aggressiveness and anxiousness at kindergarten age and the respective behavior problems 6 years later. In a linear regression analysis on aggression only family stress had a significant effect but anxiousness not. Moderator analyses on aggressiveness with anxiousness and AUC G or on AUC G with anxiousness and aggressiveness did not show any significant interactions. Longitudinally, only aggression significantly predicted aggression 6 years later in a linear regression. In addition to variable-oriented analyses, we also applied a person-oriented approach to investigate specific patterns of behavior. Children who were high in both aggressiveness and anxiousness had the highest cortisol level and those with low anxiousness and high aggressiveness the lowest. The groups with different patterns of externalizing and internalizing problems at preschool age showed significant differences in aggression 6 years later. Our results underline the need for complex pattern analyses on cortisol, aggression, and anxiousness in children and for a differentiated consideration of emotional reactive aggression and unemotional instrumental aggression

A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Randomized Evaluations of the Effect of Child Social Skills Training on Antisocial Development

Abstract Purpose Developmental and life course criminology (DLCC) engages not only in correlational longitudinal research but also in programs of developmental prevention. Within this context, child training on social skills plays an important role. The present article contains a comprehensive meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of this type of intervention. Method We updated a meta-analysis on this topic Lösel & Beelman (Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 587:84–109, 2003) to cover more recent studies while focusing specifically on aggression, delinquency, and related antisocial outcomes. From a systematic search of 1133 reports, we found 113 studies with 130 eligible RCT comparisons between a program and control group. Overall, 31,114 children and youths were included in these evaluations. Most interventions were based on a cognitive-behavioral approach. Results Overall, the mean effect was positive, but rather small (d = 0.25 using the random effect model). There were similar effects on aggression, delinquency, and other outcomes, but a tendency to somewhat stronger effects in behavior observations and official records than in rating scales. Most outcome measurements were assessed within 3 months or up to 1 year after training. Only a minority (k = 14) had follow-up assessments after more than 1 year. In the latter studies, mean effects were no longer significant. Indicated prevention for youngsters who already showed some antisocial behavior had better effects than universal approaches and (partially related to this) older youngsters benefited more than preschool children. There was much heterogeneity in the findings. Evaluations performed since our previous meta-analysis in 2003 did not reveal larger effects, but training format, intensity, and other moderators were relevant. Conclusions Mean results are promising, but more long-term evaluations, replications, booster approaches, and combinations with other types of interventions are necessary to ensure a substantial impact on antisocial development in the life course

Prevention of familial transmission of depression: EFFEKT-E, a selective program for emotionally burdened families

Aim: Parental depression is a strong risk factor for depression in children and is associated with offspring's behavioral problems. Therefore, prevention measures should aim to reduce the transmission of risk to children of depressed mothers. In this paper, description and evaluation results are reported for EFFEKT-E (Entwicklungsförderung in Familien: Eltern- und Kinder-Training in emotional belasteten Familien), a prevention program to be used in the setting of mother–child rehabilitation clinics. EFFEKT-E is a family-oriented program including parent training and social skills training for pre-school children. Subjects and methods: The evaluation study contained 375 mothers and their children. The program was evaluated in a quasi-experimental pre-post-follow-up design using instruments on parenting behavior and children’s emotional and behavioral problems. Results: Evaluation showed satisfying out reach and implementation of the program. Compared to a treatment-as-usual condition, EFFEKT-E children exhibited less emotional disruption and hyperactivity. Mother's sense of parental competence was promoted, problematic parenting behavior decreased. Conclusion: EFFEKT-E is an evidence-based selective program which has the potential to prevent intergenerational transmission of depression

Präventionseffekte sozialer Kompetenztrainings für Kinder

Delinquentes Verhalten entwickelt und verfestigt sich oft schon im Kindesalter. Deshalb versucht man, solchen Entwicklungen frühzeitig vorzubeugen. Ein Ansatz hierzu sind soziale Kompetenztrainings für Kinder und Jugendliche. In einer Auswertung für die Campbell Collaboration haben Lösel & Beelmann (2003, 2004) die methodisch besten Evaluationsstudien zu derartigen Präventionsmaßnahmen analysiert. Untersucht wurden 89 empirische Vergleiche zwischen Gruppen mit einem sozialen Trainingsprogramm und jeweils zufällig zugewiesenen Kontrollgruppen. Die Trainingseffekte waren überwiegend positiv. Der durchschnittliche Effekt auf das dissoziale Verhalten betrug d = .28 bzw. r = .14. Dies weist auf eine um 14% höhere Besserungsrate in den Trainingsgruppen hin. Die Ergebnisse variierten aber erheblich je nach Art des Wirkungskriteriums. Relativ kleine Effekte ergaben sich bei Maßen der Delinquenz sowie bei Kriterien aus Selbstberichten oder offiziellen Datenquellen. Meist überprüfte man die Wirksamkeit nur wenige Wochen nach dem Training. Langzeitstudien waren selten und erbrachten geringere Effekte. Kognitivverhaltensorientierte Programme zeigten bessere Ergebnisse als andere Trainingsformen. Programme für bereits leicht auffällige Kinder hatten stärkere Effekte als universelle Präventionsprogramme, die für alle Kinder einer Klasse oder Altersgruppe angeboten wurden. Insgesamt kann dieser Präventionsansatz als erfolgversprechend eingestuft werden. Es sind aber mehr gut kontrollierte Evaluationsstudien mit längerfristigen Nacherhebungen und „harten“ Erfolgskriterien erforderlich, um die präventive Wirkung gegen Delinquenzentwicklungen stichhaltig nachzuweisen. Dies gilt insbesondere für Deutschland, wo zu wenig Evaluationsforschung vorliegt

Implizite Verbkausalität in chinesischer Sprache - Replikation und differentielle Befunde

Verben, die zwischenmenschliche Ereignisse beschreiben, existieren in jeder Sprache der Welt. Beispiele sind “überraschen”, “bestechen”, “tadeln” oder “bewundern”. Diese so genannten interpersonalen Verben führen, auch wenn keinerlei weitere Informationen gegeben werden, zu systematischen Ursachenzuschreibungen auf einen der beiden Interaktionspartner – ein Phänomen, das als „implizite Kausalität in Sprache" bezeichnet wird. Die vorliegende Studie untersucht anhand einer Stichprobe in der Volksrepublik China (N=193) die vorhergesagten Ursachenzuschreibungen von 24 interpersonalen Verben, die nach der Revised Action-State Distinction (Rudolph & Försterling, 1997) ausgewählt wurden. Es zeigt sich in Übereinstimmung mit der bisherigen Forschung, dass auch bei einer kollektivistisch geprägten Kultur die Ursache in systematischer und vorhersagbarer Weise auf einen Interaktionspartner attribuiert wird. Allerdings ergeben sich hierbei für einige Verben systematische Abweichungen, die auf eine kulturspezifische Semantik eines Verbtyps hindeuten: So zeigt sich bei einzelnen Zustandsverben, die üblicherweise Attributionen auf das Objekt nahelegen (z.B. “mögen”), dass in Abweichung hiervon in systematischer Weise eher auf das Satzsubjekt attribuiert wird. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass - zumindest wenn keine weiteren Kausalinformationen vorliegen - in der chinesischen Kultur möglicherweise das grammatikalische Subjekt stärker als Verursacher wahrgenommen wird als in westlichen Kulturen

When sexual offender treatment in prison-based social-therapeutic treatment is not completed: Relationship to risk factors and recidivism after release.

Funder: Bavarian State Ministry of JusticeBACKGROUND: Various studies have demonstrated that people who do not complete sex offender treatment have higher recidivism rates than completers or untreated controls. The mechanism behind this association, however, remains unclear. One explanation is that responsivity issues are more prevalent in high-risk offenders, making treatment failure and recidivism more likely, especially if treatment intensity is insufficient to match criminal needs. In addition, dropout may have a negative effect on offenders by increasing feelings of frustration or self-doubt. AIMS: To retest for a link between treatment discontinuation and recidivism by sex offenders and analyse the mechanisms mediating the link between treatment discontinuation and their recidivism. We hypothesise that non-completion has a negative effect on recidivism after controlling for a priori differences in risk of recidivism. METHODS: We analysed data from all sex offenders released from Bavarian prisons between 2004 and 2015 who had participated in prison-based social-therapeutic treatment and compared non-completers (n = 100) to offenders ending treatment as planned (n = 428). Criminal risk, offence characteristics, and treatment-related propensities were measured by a comprehensive assessment instrument, including the Static-99. Recidivism data were obtained from Federal Official Records with an average time-at-risk of 9.43 years (SD = 3.29). RESULTS: Treatment non-completion was significantly associated with recidivism after controlling for criminal risk, offence characteristics and treatment duration. This was mainly accounted for by men who had spent at least two years in treatment before premature termination and return to an ordinary prison setting. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings aid understanding the potentially negative impact of discontinuing social-therapeutic treatment for male sex offenders; termination after substantial commitment may be particularly problematic. Future research should encompass large enough sample sizes to study details behind staff or prisoner decisions to return the prisoner to ordinary prison conditions and to mitigate harms by loss of privileges