Parent and child interaction therapy: management of case of conduct disorder- a case report

Abstract

A child’s emotional and behavioral reactions are strongly determined by his interactions with his parents. This case report aims to highlight the impact of physical abuse and neglect by the mother on the behavioral and emotional reactions of a child, conceptualizing the case, and planning intervention in the case of a 9-year-old male child referred to Child Guidance Clinic of IHBAS for the purpose of Behavioral Management. Evaluation of the case revealed history of physical abuse and neglect by his mother which contributed to his negative attitude towards a mother figure as well as his behavioral and emotional difficulties. The case report focuses on the use of a therapeutic intervention named Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and parents counseling. Intervention with the child focused upon various areas such as unresolved negative emotions, negative attitude towards the mother figure, low self-esteem including improving the quality of interaction with parents and significant others. Parent Child Interaction Therapy is a relatively new therapeutic medium that has been a recent development in the field of psychotherapy and has proven to be effective in the treatment and management of childhood disorders. The current report also focuses on the child’ experience of parental neglect and abuse. These experiences have also been dealt with in a sensitive manner with the client through Parent child interaction therapy. The new development is a promising therapeutic approach in treating and managing cases of behavioral as well as emotional problems, especially rooted in disturbed family dynamics and abusive interpersonal patterns in childhood.