Experimental studies that evaluated solution-focused brief therapy defined using recognised criteria in children and adolescents or in school settings were eligible for inclusion. Studies that did not contain at least one pre-specified core component of solution-focused brief therapy were excluded.
Outcomes reported in the review included changes in scores from: Hare Self-Esteem Scale; Conners' Teacher Rating Scale; Conner's Parent Rating Scale; Feelings, Attitudes and Behaviours Scale for Children; Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory Adolescent-2; and Child Behaviour Checklist-Youth.
Included studies recruited children and adolescents from elementary school, middle school and high schools. One study recruited only female students. Included studies were published between 2000 and 2008.
The authors did not state how many reviewers assessed studies for inclusion.