How Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Child Affect the Family System - Research Paper Example

How Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Child Affect the Family System Introduction Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a behavioral syndrome that mostly affects kids and adolescents. It is characterized by poor cooperation with the family or friend, high temper, annoying behaviors and negativistic characters. This disease makes the family members or relatives feel worried or anxious. The ODD usually impacts boys highly than girls. The research study indicates that the cause of ODD is not yet well known, but there are two theories explaining the cause behind the disorder (Levine and Munsch, 2011). The researchers reveal that learning and development theories are the main theories that explain the cause for the ODD syndrome. The disorder affects mostly the family of the child and the relatives. The ODD symptoms appear at the age of 2 to 3 or during the adolescent age. Therefore, the child may start developing anger, excessive arguments, use of harsh language, seeking revenge and increased temper. Earlier intervention programs, psychological testing and child behavior observation are among the diagnostic criteria. Therefore, individual psychotherapy, family therapy, residential treatment and behavior modification are among the treatment for the oppositional defiant disorder. Treatment for the Oppositional Defiant Disorder Family Therapy Family therapy is one of the efficient management measures for this disorder. Family therapy is a treatment method that involves making changes to in the family system and training them on the way of dealing with children with ODD. This involves education programs on the way people in the family structure should communicate and manage anger effectively as well as control the impulse of the child. Taking care of ODD children is a difficult task and extremely challenging to family members. Some of the parents may end up developing mental health issues because of difficult task of handling the ODD children. Parents require support from relatives or other people in the family structure to help them care for these children. They also need understanding and assistance in implementing effective parenting approaches towards caring for the ODD children. Benson and Haith (2009) argue that ODD can create a significant impact on the larger family system. The disorder can distress the parents of the child and this can in turn contribute to mental disorder especially to the mothers. The authors reveal that fathers are able to adapt better than mothers; thus, it is crucial for the father to provide emotional support to mothers. The mother’s depression can worsen the illness of the child; thus, the significant goal is to intervene in families with depressed mothers. This is essential because it can help in alleviating the depression of mothers. If possible, the psychotherapist can promote competent parenting skills and help other family members to cope up with the situation (Flick, 2011). This will enable the family structure to appreciate and comprehend the behavior of the child. The research indicates that family therapy is an effective treatment measure because it helps the family system to adapt and understand the illness of the child; thus support him or her effectively (Matthys and Lochman, 2010). It is also effective because it enables the family members to communicate effectively without annoying the child. However, this treatment has some weakness one of the being difficult for the family to cope up and accept the situation of the child. Some family members take a long time to accept the reality; thus, the method may be inappropriate (Bustamante, 2000). Some parents may fail to deviant behaviors of the child by giving such behaviors negative attention. This may result because the family members may be exhausted of struggling to manage the disorder. Behavior modification treatment Behavioral modification is the empirical treatment for changing the behavior of mental disorders children. The treatment aims to alter the behavior of an individual through encouraging adaptive desirable behavior. The treatment involves reinforcing the reward or consequences towards the behavior with an aim of improving it. However, this treatment mostly relies upon isolation when the disease is acute until the child recovers. Essau (2003) argues that behavior treatment is helpful in minimizing the problem behaviors. This is because it enables the children to learn and develop positive behaviors. This treatment involves behavioral intervention measures such as correcting the negative behaviors of the child; thus building self-esteem of the child. According to the therapists, behavioral modification is effective because it helps in improving the behaviors of the child; thus helping him or her to reduce misbehavior conducts that may lead to negative consequences (Flick, 2011). Although, the therapists consider residential to be more effective, behavioral modification is also significant because it enables the child to develop desirable characters. Behavior psychotherapists encourage children to attempt children to attempt new behaviors and avoid unwanted behaviors that may impact their lives. Behavioral intervention is crucial especially to children with severe historical, related issues such as drug addiction or sexual abuses. This is because it enables children to cope up and learn positive behaviors. However, the method is ineffective especially isolating the child from the family, and this may increase stress of the child; thus worsening his or her situation (Fortinash and Holoday-Worret, 2012). . Residential Treatment Residential treatment is a rehabilitation psychotherapeutic treatment for mental illness or any other behavioral issues. It is the last approach employed in treating the abnormal psychology. This treatment focus on children and adolescents with varied psychological issues such as alcoholic conditions or mental disorders. Varied research studies have found many children suffering from ODD with historical, related family issues usually including sexual of psychological abuse (Barcalow, 2006) and (Boden, Fergusson and Horwood, 2010). Residential treatment takes into considerations those factors contributing to the risk of the child from becoming the victim of the disease; thus providing preventive measures. This may include sexual abuse, drug abuse or other unethical behaviors that may alter the normal child development. The treatment centers primarily on the management of behaviors. It also includes administering medication to children with serious mental disorder issues. The research study found that residential treatment is the most effective treatment for treating ODD children with serious issues more than any other treatment approach (Kaiser, McBurnett and Pfiffner, 2011). This is especially to children with historical family issues such as criminal activities, sexual abuse and addictive behaviors. The treatment method provides varied structure programs effective for accommodating the needs of residents. However, the method has some weaknesses that make the treatment to become ineffective. This is according to the recent research study that demonstrated that residential treatment methods can contribute to positive, long-term results to children with behavioral issues (Fortinash and Holoday-Worret, 2012). Moreover, children with high exposing levels to negative environmental issues such as domestic violence and sexual abuse showed poor results, unlike their counterparts; thus, treatment may not be appropriate to these children. References Benson, J. B., & Haith, M. M. (2009). Diseases and disorders in infancy and early childhood. Amsterdam: Academic. Boden, J. M., Fergusson, D. M., & Horwood, L. J. (November 01, 2010). Risk Factors for Conduct Disorder and Oppositional/Defiant Disorder: Evidence from a New Zealand Birth Cohort. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49, 11, 1125-1133. Barcalow, K. (January 01, 2006). Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Information for School Nurses. The Journal of School Nursing, 22, 1, 9-16. Bustamante, E. M. (2000). Treating the disruptive adolescent: Finding the real child behind oppositional defiant disorders. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson. Essau, C. (2003). Conduct and oppositional defiant disorders: Epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment. Mahwah, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum. Flick, G. L. (2011). Understanding and managing emotional and behavior disorders in the classroom. Boston: Pearson. Fortinash, K. M., & Holoday-Worret, P. A. (2012). Psychiatric mental health nursing. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby. Kaiser, N., McBurnett, K., & Pfiffner, L. (January 01, 2011). Child ADHD Severity and Positive and Negative Parenting as Predictors of Child Social Functioning: Evaluation of Three Theoretical Models. Journal of Attention Disorders, 15, 3, 193-203. Levine, L. E., & Munsch, J. (2011). Child development: An active learning approach. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE. Matthys, W., & Lochman, J. E. (2010). Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in childhood. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. Read More