Date of Graduation
2000
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Paradoxical interventions are therapeutic techniques in which the therapist appears to promote the worsening or continuation of the problem rather than its removal. The objective of this treatment is to lessen or eliminate the problematic behavior through the unusual means of encouraging it. Only two previous studies have empirically evaluated these techniques with resistant and defiant youths; those results suggested that paradoxical interventions may be effective with severely conduct-disordered adolescents. This study applied the techniques of symptom scheduling and restraining with three conduct-disordered adolescents residing in a therapeutic group home. The experimental design was a nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants; nested within this design was a concurrent multiple baseline across behaviors (with reversals) for each subject. Upon implementation of the techniques, noncompliance to instructions decreased substantially in all six interventions for all participants. Although this study was considered exploratory, these techniques appear promising. Although most of the literature recommends paradoxical techniques as a last resort, the results of the present study suggest wider use.
Recommended Citation
Mills, Marsha Anne, "Paradoxical interventions with severe conduct-disordered adolescents: Research of treatment effectiveness." (2000). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 9431.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/9431