Evaluation of the Developmental Trauma and Attachment Program for Decreasing Disruptive Behavior Among Adolescents in a Residential Setting

Abstract

This evaluation inspected the degree of symptom improvement associated with the Developmental Trauma and Attachment Program for decreasing disruptive behavior symptoms among youth in residential treatment following traumatic experiences within domestic and international adoption and foster care systems. Participants were 82 youth (M_age = 14.03  years) who were predominately born in the United States (n = 55) with 27 identifying with international domiciles. Analyses of pre–post data contrasts indicated statistically significant decreases in disruptive behavior symptoms from admission to discharge associated with small and medium effect sizes. Nearly 1 in 4 participants reported clinically significant changes associated with treatment, with about 1 in 3 reporting improvements, but not within the clinically significant range. Limitations to the generalization of findings and recommendations for future investigations are provided.

Keywords:

• Disruptive behavior
• attachment
• residential treatment
• foster care
• adoption

Notes on Contributors

Danielle A. Pester is a Contributing Faculty Member at Walden University.

A. Stephen Lenz is Department Chair and Professor in the Department of Counseling, Health, and Kinesiology at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

Karen Doyle Buckwalter is the Director for Clinical Practice at the Chaddock Family of Organizations.

Kelly Green manages the Knowledge Center at Chaddock and oversees the systematized clinical assessment processes associated with project management, data analysis, and program evaluation.

Debbie Reed is the President/CEO of the Chaddock Family of Organizations.

Christin Dobbs is a graduate student in the Department of Leadership and Counselor Education at the University of Mississippi.