The current investigation examined if changes in youth internalizing problems as a result of a family group cognitive behavioral (FGCB) preventive intervention for families with a parent with a history of depression had a cascade effect on youth social problems over 24 months and the bidirectional nature of these effects. One hundred eighty families with a parent with a history of major depressive disorder (M age = 41.96; 88.9% mothers) and a youth age 9 to 15 years (49.4% females; M age = 11.46) participated. Findings from a panel model indicated that, compared to a minimum intervention condition, the FGCB intervention significantly reduced youth internalizing problems at 12 months that in turn were associated with lower levels of social problems at 18 months. Similarly, the FGCB intervention reduced internalizing problems at 18 months, which were associated with fewer social problems at 24 months. Changes in social problems were not related to reductions in subsequent internalizing problems. The findings suggest that reductions in youth internalizing problems can lead to lower levels of social problems. Youth social problems are difficult to change; therefore, targeting internalizing problems may be an effective way to reduce the social problems of children of parents with a history of depression.

This study utilized structural equation modeling to examine the associations among parental guilt induction (a form of psychological control), youth cognitive style, and youth internalizing symptoms, with parents and youth participating in a randomized controlled trial of a family-based group cognitive–behavioral preventive intervention targeting families with a history of caregiver depression. The authors present separate models utilizing parent report and youth report of internalizing symptoms. Findings suggest that families in the active condition (family-based group cognitive–behavioral group) relative to the comparison condition showed a significant decline in parent use of guilt induction at the conclusion of the intervention (6 months postbaseline). Furthermore, reductions in parental guilt induction at 6 months were associated with significantly lower levels of youth negative cognitive style at 12 months. Finally, reductions in parental use of guilt induction were associated with lower youth internalizing symptoms 1 year following the conclusion of the intervention (18 months postbaseline).

Interparental conflict is a known risk factor for child adjustmentproblems; yet few studies have examined its long-term effects. Thisstudy tests the following hypotheses: Interparental conflict has bothlongitudinal and concurrent influences on the functioning of youngadult children, and the relationship between young adults and theirparents mediates these influences. We assessed a community sample(N = 243) of families when the target child was in early tomiddle adolescence. We then reassessed them 6 years later during youngadulthood. The links of interparental conflict measured at the twotime points to young adults' general psychopathology andantisocial behavior were examined using multiple regressionanalyses. The quality of the relationship between young adults andeach parent was added to each equation as a potential mediatingvariable. Results showed that concurrent, but not earlier,interparental conflict predicted males' antisocial behavior. Nosupport was found for the mediational model, but support was found foran alternate model positing direct effects for interparental conflictand the parent-young adult relationship on young adultfunctioning. For females and males, problematic relationships withmothers and fathers predicted greater general psychopathology, whileproblems in paternal relationships predicted higher levels ofantisocial behavior only for females.

The purpose of the present study was to examine some trends in child behavior therapy over the past 12 years and to suggest some future directions. Four behavioral journals that have been in existence since at least 1970 were examined for type of behavior treated and type of treatment technique utilized. Beginning with 1970 every other year of each journal was examined and 410 articles dealing with the treatment of children were identified. There was no systematic trend across years in the number of articles published in this area. Furthermore, only a few trends across years were noted for behaviors treated or treatment technique utilized. Negative behaviors, particularly acting out ones, had been targeted for treatment most often. Consequences, particularly of a positive nature, had been utilized most often as the treatment technique of choice. The need to expand our models by treating new behaviors and utilizing new techniques was discussed.

The purpose of this paper was to review the methodological rigor and clinical implications of behavior modification studies in which social skills have been taught to socially deficient children. Thirty two studies were reviewed. The following four treatment approaches were identified and reviewed: adult contingent attention; peer-mediated strategies; modeling; and treatment packages. The clinical merits and limitation of each approach are discussed. Identification and possible target behaviors for neglected and rejected children are outlined. It appears however that conclusions are not warranted at this time about the relative effectiveness of the four treatment strategies. Research issues such as subject selection and the need to document that skills acquired during training are associated with relevant outcome measures are discussed. Finally, suggestions for future social skills studies are offered.