Experiential Interventions for Externalizing Behavior: A Multilevel Meta-Analysis of Adolescents and Adults.
Larissa M Hoogsteder, Maartje W Kapteijns, Hester L van der Veld et al.
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In 30 seconds
This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of experiential interventions in reducing externalizing behaviors among adolescents and adults, analyzing 39 studies with 2,323 participants. Results indicated a significant medium effect size of g = 0.66 for these interventions compared to controls. Notably, integrating cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) components enhanced outcomes, with a larger effect size of g = 0.83.
Key findings
- Experiential interventions showed a medium effect size of g = 0.66 compared to control conditions.
- Integrating CBT with experiential interventions resulted in a larger effect size of g = 0.83.
- Responsive CBT demonstrated the strongest effect size of g = 1.04.
- Treatment fidelity and active system involvement significantly moderated outcomes.
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of experiential interventions combined with CBT is crucial for clinicians working with adolescents and adults exhibiting externalizing behaviors. These findings can inform treatment strategies aimed at reducing aggression and rule-breaking, ultimately improving patient outcomes.