Parental reports of symptoms of childhood disorders in Dutch children.

The number of children displaying childhood disorders in the Netherlands is estimated through a questionnaire referencing DSM-IV symptoms filled out by the parents of 2,563 4- 18-year-old Dutch children randomly taken from the general Dutch Youth population in 2004. The number of impaired children was estimated by applying the DSM-IV criteria for impairment by symptoms. It was found that 14% of all Dutch children display developmental difficulties, with 8% at risk of moderate behavioral and emotional difficulties and 6% at risk of a childhood psychiatric disorder. These prevalence figures based upon parental observations of DSM-IV symptoms in children are in agreement with the findings of other studies estimating psychiatric disorders in childhood in Western countries.

Aggressive adolescents in residential care: a selective review of treatment requirements and models.

This article presents a selective inventory of treatment methods of aggressive behavior. Special attention is paid to types of intervention that, according to research, are frequently used in Dutch residential youth care. These methods are based on (1) principles of (cognitive) behavior management and control, (2) the social competence model, and (3) influencing the peer culture. Suggestions are made as to how the treatment of aggressive adolescents may be realized in residential settings. The article concludes that more attention should be paid to the involvement of parents and to the part played by the peer group in the treatment of aggressive behavior.

[Basics of the psychosocial diagnostic in child- and youth care in the netherlands: developments and tasks]. / Grundlagen der psychosozialen Diagnostik in der niederländischen Kinder- und Jugendhilfe: Entwicklungen und Aufgaben.

Much has been invested in the development of dealing with problematic childrearing situations in a professional diagnostic way in the Netherlands over the past few decades. In this article three developments that have been of importance in this respect will be discussed. In connection with these developments the so-called Hypothetical Testing Model (HTM) has been drawn up. Beside the fact that the Hypothetical Testing Model can provide precise guidelines for the training of future professionals as well as for the work of current professionals, general underlying assumptions of the model will be discussed in regard to the qualitative improvement of the care and the active involvement of the clients.