The reduction of parent-youth problems by reciprocity counseling

A reciprocity counseling program had previously been used for adult marital problems and for child classroom problems. The present study extended the method to youth problems in the home and community with 29 youths aged 6–16, including 12 teenagers. The principal features of the components of the program were reciprocal behavioral contracting, positive communication training and self-correction. The number of problems reported by the parents and youths decreased by about 75% after counseling vs little or no decrease for the wait-listed controls. The ratings of problem severity were also reduced and endured at the 6-month follow-up.