Oppositional defiant disorder: A systematic review of evidence of intervention effectiveness

This research synthesis examines rigorous evaluations of interventions for children diagnosed with ODD. The primary goal was to identify and synthesize through meta-analysis what is known regarding the effectiveness of various treatments. A secondary goal was to assess the degree to which treatment effectiveness is being evaluated in multiple domains. Seven studies were identified that measured outcomes in six domains. As in prior reviews, interventions demonstrate improvements in the child’s behavior at home and parental stress/strain. Support for improvements in behavior and performance in school is not as strong due in part to a scarcity of attention to the multiple domains of functioning. The interventions reviewed here demonstrate some benefit and no harm; however, there is room to strengthen the research base.