NCJ Number
216423
Journal
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 50 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2006 Pages: 654-660
Date Published
December 2006
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effectiveness of using karate as an intervention for the externalizing behaviors of children meeting the diagnostic criteria for oppositional defiant disorder.
Abstract
The results revealed that the eight children enrolled in the 10-month karate program showed significant improvement in temperament scale scores compared to the comparison group who were not enrolled in the karate program. Improvements in temperament were observed at home, in the dojo, and in school and included a significant reduction in overactive behavior and improved adaptive and organizational skills. The preliminary findings suggest that regular participation in a disciplined activity that promotes respect and loyalty may promote moral standard internalization. Participants were 16 children who were referred to a karate program developed to include children with social cognitive disorders and disruptive behaviors. All children were screened for anxiety and mood disorders and were administered the Carey Temperament Scale at the beginning and end of the 10-month karate program. The temperament scale focused on the three domains of temperament: intensity, adaptability, and mood regulation. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to the karate program and half received no intervention. Data were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Tables, references