Publication Date

2008

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department

School for Social Work

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the East Bay Agency for Children's Therapeutic Nursery School (TNS) in reducing problem behaviors for troubled preschoolers. Seven preschoolers between the ages of 2 ½ and 5 years old were assessed at the start of the study (or at admission date if after) and at 9 months (or at discharge if before 9 months) in a pre-post design. The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA; commonly known as the Child Behavior Checklist or CBCL) was used as the measure of problem behaviors. Three ASEBAs were collected for each participant at pre and post measures – one from the parent or guardian, one from the teacher, and one from the therapist. The TNS intervention included typical preschool educational activities, individual and group therapy, social and emotional skills training, behavioral modification, and some family work. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data seemed to indicate no significant differences between pre and post scores for most students, although the study had many possible limitations. The findings suggest a need for greater controls to adequately assess the outcome of TNS.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2008. iv, 73 p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-68)

Download

Share

COinS