Aggressive adolescents in residential care: a selective review of treatment requirements and models

This article presents a selective inventory of treatment methods of aggressive behavior. Special attention is paid to types of intervention that, according to research, are frequently used in Dutch residential youth care. These methods are based on (1) principles of (cognitive) behavior management and control, (2) the social competence model, and (3) influencing the peer culture. Suggestions are made as to how the treatment of aggressive adolescents may be realized in residential settings. The article concludes that more attention should be paid to the involvement of parents and to the part played by the peer group in the treatment of aggressive behavior.