Decreasing behavior problems: a randomised trial of the Utrecht Coping Power Program for youth with MID.

Youth with a mild intellectual disability (MID, IQ 50-85) have a higher risk of
developing a behavior problems then their peers with a normal IQ. However,
there is a possibility to intervene. A standardized child-parent intervention
was developed to reduce the behavior problems in these youngsters. There are
several causes and risk factors that explain the higher risk of developing
behavioral problems in youngsters with MID. A distinction can be made between
child factors, for example the social information processing en executive
functions, and the environmental factors, most important the competence of
parents to raise a child.
Despite the strong attention paid to behavioral problems in youngsters with an
IQ above 85, the attention paid to the same problem behavior in youngsters with
MID is relatively low.

Aim of this study is to measure the effect of the child-parent intervention
*Samen Stevig Staan* in decreasing the problem behavior of youngsters with MID.
A secondary aim is to investigate the influence on this relation of several
child- and parental factors.

A randomized controlled trial is executed on location level in the institute.
Two rounds of intervention are carried out, desirable with 50 youngsters and
their parents in each condition per round (200 total). Questionnaires are
filled out by parents, children, teachers and group leaders five times; a
pre-measure, a measurement during intervention, a post measure and two follow
up measuring moments (six months and 1 year follow up). The children will
fulfill several tasks to measure the social information processing and
executive functions, all four measurement moments.

The training *Samen Stevig Staan* exists of 2 parts; a child training and a
parent training that are connected. Both the child training and the parent
training are given in a group context (five youngsters and their parent(s).
Children are mainly trained in communication skills, recognizing and handling
emotions, and problem solving skills. Their parents learn how to set rules, to
handle the behavior of their child, positive parenting, and problem solving
skills.

It is expected that the pressure on the participants of this study is minimal.
There is no risk of any harm to the participants as a result of participating
in the study. It is important that this target group is used on behalf of the
adapted version of the intervention to youngsters with MID, and the lack of
evidence based treatment for these youngsters.