Objective: Although behavioral weight-loss interventions produce short-term weight loss, long-term maintenance remains elusive. This randomized trial examined whether learning a novel set of "stability skills" before losing weight improved long-term weight management. Stability skills were designed to optimize individuals' current…

Objective: The study compared the efficacy of 2 behavioral interventions to ameliorate organization, time management, and planning (OTMP) difficulties in 3rd- to 5th-grade children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: In a dual-site randomized controlled trial, 158 children were assigned to organizational skills training…

Although the subject has been debated and examined for more than 3 decades, it is still not clear whether all psychotherapies are equally efficacious. The authors conducted 7 meta-analyses (with a total of 53 studies) in which 7 major types of psychological treatment for mild to moderate adult depression (cognitive-behavior therapy, nondirective…

Assessed unique treatment effects of training controlled drinking skills in a chronic alcoholic population of veterans (N=62). Results of a six-month posttreatment follow-up revealed that subjects in the drinking skills condition had significantly fewer abstinent days and more abusive drinking days than subjects in the untrained condition. (LLL)

Evaluated the effects of overt rehearsal and homework practice on covert modeling treatment of social skills. Nonassertive clients (N=79) received a combination of overt rehearsal and homework practice. Clients who engaged in homework practice and/or overt rehearsal of assertive behavior within the treatment sessions made consistently greater…

Evaluated the effects of cognitive-behavioral problem-solving skills training (PSST) and nondirective relationship therapy (RT) for the treatment of antisocial child behavior. Revealed that a significantly higher proportion of PSST children, compared with those in other conditions, fell within the normative range for prosocial behavior at…

It is proposed that clinicians should develop research-based assertiveness training procedures for homosexuals that are designed to facilitate homosexual functioning. Subjects (N=27) were assigned to a behaviorally oriented assertive training group or a non-directive group run by a homosexual guidance service. Self-report measures indicated…

This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 programs for preventing depressive symptoms in adolescents. Participants were 380 high school students randomly assigned to a cognitive-behavioral program (CB), an interpersonal psychotherapy-adolescent skills training program (IPT-AST), or a no-intervention control. The interventions involved eight 90-min…

Both self-report and behavioral assessments of behavior change following treatment failed to show interaction of treatment type and level of dysfunctional attitudes. Skills training and cognitive-behavioral treatments were equally effective and significantly more effective for persons with low levels of dysfunctional attitudes. (Author)

Addresses training issues in behavior therapy, identifying methods and skills considered most important for affecting change in client behavior and reviewing progress made in demonstrating that these skills can be taught effectively. Discusses decision making skills used to identify problems, select appropriate interventions, and evaluate client…

The skills-acquisition group was superior in performance on the analogue test as well as in grade point average. They reported greater knowledge of effective test-taking skills and less attentional interference during testing. Results suggest that inadequate test performance be reconceptualized as ineffective test taking. (Author)

Depression workshops were conducted in three treatment conditions: cognitive, behavioral, and nondirective. Subjects in all conditions showed significantly decreased depressive symptomatology, which was maintained through a follow-up period. No significant differences among treatment conditions lasted through the follow-up period. (Author)

Unhappily married couples (n=10) were divided into an experimental and control group. The treatment program consisted of training couples to interact more positively and efficiently when engaged in problem solving and teaching couples to make written contingency contracts. The group receiving treatment improved significantly more than did the…

Compared parents from families (N=103) with retarded children who began a training program in behavior management. Based on posttraining assessment, low proficient parents were designated as lower socioeconomic status with less experience. A prediction based on six-month follow-up indicated low follow-through families had achieved less…

Relative to children in the attention-placebo and waiting-list control, skills-training children demonstrated increased skill in a role-play situation, a greater verbal knowledge of how to interact with peers, and more initiation of peer interactions in school. (Author)