The Efficacy of Conjoint Behavioral Consultation and Adlerian Parent Education on Reducing Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms among 8- to 10-Year-Old Children in Tehran

The most significant factor in manifestation of behavioral and emotional symptoms among children is the family environment. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of conjoint behavioral consultation with Adlerian parent education to assess their efficacy on decreasing internalizing and externalizing symptoms among 8- to10-year-old children in Tehran. The research method was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest and control group design. The instrumentation comprised Achenbach System of Empirically-Based Assessment (ASEBA), the CBCL as well as a researcher-made semi-structured interview. The sample consisted of 40 mothers whose children manifested internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The mothers were then randomly assigned to 1 control and 4 experimental groups. The experimental groups received the intervention during 8 weekly sessions of 90 minutes; however, the control group received no intervention. The results revealed that teaching conjoint behavioral consultation and Adlerian approach significantly decreased the internalizing and externalizing symptoms among 8- to 10-year-old children. In addition, the changes persisted in the 30-day follow-up.