Parent Training for Middle Childhood Conduct Problems: Child Opposition to Timeout and Token Fines

Abstract

Evidence-based treatments for middle childhood disruptive behavior regularly include parent-implemented token fines and timeouts. Child opposition to such discipline procedures has been anticipated, but not systematically described or evaluated for this age group. In the present study, the oppositional behaviors of fifteen 7–11-year-olds occurring in response to token fines and timeouts were systematically recorded in the context of a behavioral parent training program. Children routinely showed opposition to token fine and timeout protocols. Intense and persistent physical resistance to timeout was present in a minority of participants. Two experimental chair timeout enforcement procedures both demonstrated satisfactory feasibility and acceptability.