The Use of Group Therapy as a Means of Facilitating Cognitive–Behavioural Instruction for Adolescents With Disruptive Behaviour

Abstract

This article reports on the findings of an action research enquiry examining the efficacy of group therapy as a means of facilitating cognitive–behavioural instruction for students who exhibit disruptive behaviours. A curriculum comprising the key tenets of cognitive–behaviour modification was developed and taught over a 9-week period to a group of 12 Year 7 adolescent students selected from a primary school in the Brisbane metropolitan district, Queensland, Australia. Six of the participants for the investigation were identified as ‘at-risk’ of engaging in disruptive behaviours based on extensive observations from members of the school administration team. The remaining students served as role models of prosocial behaviours throughout the intervention. Each session incorporated group discussions and physical challenges that were formulated to facilitate investigation of key concepts of cognitive– behavioural therapy. The findings that emerged from the investigation provide support for the use of group therapy for this form of intervention.