| Abstract: | Obtained evaluations from the parents of 70 children who were treated by psychological interns being trained in behavior therapy. Therapist ratings of specific problem improvement were obtained at close of therapy. Improvement ratings of the same specific problems were obtained from parents approximately 6 mo later. Classification of an S as improved or unimproved depended on the averages of both the therapist and parent ratings of the presenting problems. This procedure indicated overall improvement in 87 and 90% of the cases, based on therapist and parent averages, respectively. Therapists rated 80% of all specific problems improved at termination, as compared to 77% of problems improved as rated by parents at follow-up. Correlation between the improvement ratings of each problem by parent and therapist was highly significant (r = .51). 96% of the parents liked their therapists, and personal characteristics most frequently noted by the parents were warmth, understanding, and sincere interest in the S. The high improvement rates reported by therapists and parents are discussed in regard to previous therapy outcome studies with children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
