What type of clinical intervention is most appropriate for a 9-year-old boy exhibiting temper issues and argumentative behavior at home?

The choice of parent management therapy that includes the patient and his mother is particularly appropriate for a 9-year-old boy exhibiting temper issues and argumentative behavior at home. This approach focuses on educating and equipping parents with strategies to manage their child's behavior effectively. By involving the parent, the therapy addresses the dynamics of the child-parent relationship and aims to reinforce positive behavior while reducing instances of conflict.

Parent management therapy is beneficial because it not only provides the child with tools for managing emotions and behaviors but also empowers the caregiver with consistent techniques to promote behavioral change. Involving the mother allows for real-time practice and support during sessions and encourages a unified approach to discipline and reinforcement at home.

This method is often seen as a preferred intervention for younger children as it recognizes the significant role parents play in a child’s behavioral development, making it more effective in fostering long-term change. Moreover, it can create a supportive environment where the child learns to express feelings in a more appropriate manner and follows through with positive parenting techniques that are practiced outside of therapy sessions.