MAINTENANCE OF TREATMENT EFFECTS - SOME CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING FAMILY SYSTEMS AND FOLLOW-UP DATA

Data from comparison studies were reviewed which showed social learning procedures to be more effective than no treatment, client-centered, or traditional treatment. The limited findings relating to changes from baseline to termination in behavior of other members of these families were also presented. These findings were related to the hypothesis that treatment alters the system, as well as the problem child. In addition, it was assumed that reducing the rates of coercive child behavior would strengthen the parenting behaviors which produce this effect. This mechanism, plus the alterations in the family system, were though to correlate with the persistence of treatment effects. Data were presented showing that the family intervention effects persisted. No data are available correlating changes in the system with persistence of treatment effects. © 1979 Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy.