An Intervention for Childhood Stealing

ABSTRACT

Arguments for early intervention with childhood stealing are presented, drawing attention to both the prevalence of the behavior and its empirical association with multiple and persistent conduct problems. An intervention for children aged 4 through adolescence who steal is described. Parents are instructed in identifying stolen objects, confronting their children about the theft, and delivering specified consequences. The child is made to (a) apologize to the victim of the theft, (b) return the stolen item, (c) pay the victim an amount of money equal to the cost of replacing the stolen item, and (d) lose one of his or her own possessions of approximately equal value to the stolen item. A case example is used to illustrate the intervention.