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Overview
Aggression is one of the most stable problem behaviors in childhood. If not dealt with effectively, it can lead to negative outcomes in adolescence such as drug and alcohol use, truancy and dropout, delinquency, and violence. The Coping Power Program has proven effective in helping to avoid these types of problems.Designed for use with preadolescent and early adolescent aggressive children and their parents, Coping Power is a school-based program often delivered to students in the 5th and 6th grades. Parents are encouraged to participate in the program as well. For more information on the parent component of the program, please consult the Coping Power Parent Group Program: Facilitator Guide.
This Facilitator Guide provides step-by-step instructions for delivering the Coping Power Program to children. Over the course of two years and 34 group meetings, children are taught how to recognize their feelings and display them appropriately without resorting to aggressive behaviors. Groups of 4-6 children meet on a weekly basis and participate in activities, exercises, and role-plays that reinforce the themes of the program. Topics include the importance of setting and achieving goals, using problem-solving methods to resolve conflicts, and using self-statements, relaxation, and distraction techniques to cope with anger arousal. Children also learn how to resist peer pressure and make new friends in a positive way. Periods of free playtime and rewards incentives for completing assignments and following group rules keep children motivated and engaged.
Complete with sample dialogues, lists of materials needed, ideas for group activities, sample role-plays, and homework assignments,this guide provides you with everything you need to successfully implement the Coping Power Program with children in the school setting.
About the Author:
John E. Lochman is Professor and Doddridge Saxon Chair in Clinical Psychology at the University of Alabama
About the Author:
Karen C. Wells is Associate Professor of Medical Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University Medical Center
About the Author:
Lisa A. Lenhart is the senior psychologist in the Testing and Tutoring Service at the Treatment and Learning Centers (TLC) in Maryland
Synopsis
The Coping Power Program is designed for use with preadolescent and early adolescent aggressive children and their parents and is often delivered near the time of children's transition to middle school. Aggression is one of the most stable problem behaviors in childhood. If not dealt with effectively, it can lead to negative outcomes in adolescence such as drug and alcohol use, truancy and dropout, delinquency, and violence. This program has proven effective in helping to avoid these types of problems.
The parent component of the program consists of 16 group meetings also held during the 5th and 6th grade school years. Parents are taught ways of reinforcing their children's positive behaviors, as well as effective discipline techniques for eliminating negative behaviors. Skills for improving family communication, providing academic support in the home, and building family cohesion are also a focus. Parents also learn how to give effective instructions and establish age-appropriate rules and expectations for their children at home. In addition to these basic parenting skills, the program describes relaxation techniques that parents can use to deal with their own stress. Tips for taking care of personal needs and effective time management strategies also help to ease the challenges of parenting an aggressive child.