Evaluating a Brief, Personalized Behavioral Training for Teachers to Help Children with Classroom Behavioral Difficulties

What this Trial Is About

This trial investigates a brief, individually tailored behavioral training program for teachers of children aged 4 to 13 years who display behavioral difficulties at school. The study aims to determine whether this training reduces the severity of specific disruptive behaviors in classroom situations compared to usual practice, and whether improvements are maintained over three months. This research addresses the need for accessible, brief teacher training programs to manage childrens behavioral problems and reduce the risk of long-term negative outcomes. Participants are randomly assigned to either receive three sessions of brief teacher training combined with practice as usual PAU, or PAU alone. The training includes two biweekly sessions of two hours each and a final one-hour session focusing on evaluation and maintenance. The program uses stimulus control and contingency management techniques tailored to the childs and teachers needs. PAU may involve any regular support except pharmacological treatment or behavioral teacher training. Teachers and caregivers complete questionnaires at baseline, shortly after training, and at a three-month follow-up for the intervention group. Outcome measures include severity of target behaviors in classroom settings, teacher-reported behavioral difficulties and impairment, teacher-student relationship quality, teachers self-efficacy, and behavior management strategies. Data collection includes daily behavior ratings and questionnaires, with a total involvement spanning from before training through follow-up assessments. The study is conducted within the Dutch school system and mental health care networks.

Brief Behavioral Teacher Training for Behavioral Difficulties