Day treatment for disruptive behaviour disorders: can a short-term program be effective?

Disruptive Behaviour Disorders (DBD) are one of the most frequently diagnosed psychiatric disorders in childhood (Kazdin et al., 1994) with up to 10% of children having disruptive behaviour problems (Offord, Boyle & Racine, 1989). Onset of externalizing disorders in childhood has been shown to be highly predictive of future behaviour problems and to be costly to society (Fergusson et al., 2005; van Bokhoven et al., 2006). These societal costs typically stem from involvement with the criminal justice system, need for education specialists, and residential placements (Scott et al., 2001). As such, DBDs represent a very significant mental health concern.