ANALYSIS OF SELECTED METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN CHILD-PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH

Uses data from 516 interventions to respond to several concerns previously expressed about methodological aspects of child psychotherapy research. Outcome research is more extensive, methodologically sophisticated, and diverse than is typically assumed. Many studies have sound design features, and the quality of research has improved significantly over time. Contrary to popular belief, many children treated in research studies have clinically relevant problems. Sufficient numbers of investigations are available to examine the influence of many clients, treatments, outcome measures, and design features. Potentially important variables that have been largely ignored are discussed briefly to encourage their incorporation into future research.