Research to help children with serious behavioral problems

The project aims to improve knowledge about the underlying causes of severe behavior problems in children and to adapt treatment so that it works better — especially for children with difficulties with empathy and concern for others.

Certain children and adolescents show serious behavioral problems, such as oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder. These difficulties often co-occur with ADHD and can lead to major negative consequences later in life. The risk of school problems, substance abuse, mental health difficulties, criminality, and violence is higher in this group.

Children who also show difficulties with empathy and compassion, sometimes described as callous-unemotional traits, often respond less well to treatment than children without these challenges. To improve long-term outcomes for these young people and reduce the risk of violence and criminal behavior in society, more effective treatments are needed.

The research project will be conducted in three parts: In the first part, it will be determined how children with behavioral problems differ in their prosocial behaviors, such as helping others, cooperating, and showing care. Children will be invited to participate in an experimental study conducted in a digital game environment.

The second part will use workshops and interviews to gather feedback from children, parents, and professionals about what works in today’s treatments and what needs to be improved.

In the final part, a new version of the treatment will be developed, specifically adapted for children with difficulties with empathy and concern for others. It will first be tested in smaller pilot studies, and then in a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) to determine whether the adapted treatment works well in clinical practice.