A Comparison Between African American and Caucasian Children Referred for Treatment of Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Abstract

To develop more culturally sensitive treatments for child behavior problems it is important to examine the impact that ethnicity has on behavioral assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The current study investigated archival data of African American and Caucasian families referred for treatment of disruptive behavior problems. Subjects were 56 children between the ages of 35 and 90 months (M = 64 months). Half of the participants were African American (n = 28) and half were Caucasian (n = 28). Subjects from the two groups were matched on age, gender, income, and treatment location. Following the completion of pretreatment assessments (e.g., Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory, Parenting Stress Index), subjects and their parent(s) received treatment using Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). No significant differences between groups were found on the pretreatment measures or measures of treatment outcome. Results are discussed with respect to the importance of considering cultural issues when assessing child behavior disorders and providing parent training.