ABSTRACT
In this chapter we describe the evolution of the Anger Coping and Coping Power Programs for aggressive preadolescent and early adolescent youth. The Anger Coping Program developed out of perceived clinical needs and emerging models of emotional and cognitive regulation of children’s angry aggressive behaviors. Following early efficacy trials, a more comprehensive, multicomponent program, Coping Power, was developed to intervene with a broader range of targeted mechanisms associated with conduct problems, and this led to a second series of controlled efficacy trials which examined children’s adjustment through long-term outcomes. In recent years, the focus has shifted to ways to optimize Coping Power for different populations, using different delivery methods as needed. Key training factors that influence the real-world dissemination of this type of highly structured program have been explored. Various adaptations that have been tested to expand the reach of the program have included use of the program in other cultural environments, the inclusion of internet delivery of intervention content and of mindfulness training elements, and adaptations for younger and older children. The chapter ends with a discussion of critically important lessons learned about the differential effects of group versus individual delivery of the program to aggressive children, and about the powerful effects of therapist characteristics on intervention outcome.
