Adherence Measurement in Treatments for Disruptive Behavior Disorders: Pursuing Clear Vision Through Varied Lenses

To extend the reach, transparency, and accountability for the implementation and outcomes of effective treat-ments in routine care, more clarity is needed about what happens in treatment. We attempt to (a) clarify terminology to describe and measure psychological treatment and (b) consider what treatment adherence instruments can tell us about what happens in treat-ment. We reviewed the content of 11 adherence instru-ments for 14 evidence-based treatments for disruptive behavior problems in youth identified in an ongoing review of adherence measurement methods used in psychosocial treatment studies from 1980 to 2008. Item number, content, and level of detail varied widely. Implications are considered for the definition of effec-tive treatments and design and testing of strategies t