An analysis of different resources and programmes supporting at-risk families in Spain

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to present an overview of the existing family support resources in Spain for at-risk families. We analysed 64 family support services from 16 agencies belong to 11 regions of Spain. In a second phase, 20 positive parenting programs were analysed in depth to ascertain the extent to which they met evidence-based program quality criteria. Our results suggest that services for at-risk families are delivered by public, local and social agencies. Most interventions were psycho-educational and aimed at parental training. The analysis of the positive parenting programs' quality showed both strengths and weaknesses. Most programs relied on a previous needs analysis and interventions were, to some extent, outlined in a manual. Nevertheless, few programs have been evaluated according to evidence-based program criteria. In light of these results, we discuss several practical implications for services and family support policies aimed at at-risk families.

The Role of Psychosocial Stress on a Family-Based Treatment for Adolescents with Problematic Behaviors

“…In this case, the absence of stressful situations in personal trajectories can make adolescents more sensitive and receptive to training in emotional skills, which consider the needs of others, thus promoting a protective factor that inhibits the emergence of troubled behaviors [ 27 , 41 ]. In our opinion, the SB-PFT effectiveness with LSP adolescents justifies the need to conduct early interventions, which protect adolescents from the negative impact of future family and/or individual stressors [ 2 , 68 ].…”

Características Psicométricas e Estrutura Fatorial da FACES III numa Amostra de Famílias em Risco Psicossocial

“…Uma condição necessária para a aplicação desta abordagem com sucesso é o conhecimento das necessidades específicas de cada família. Só a partir duma avaliação rigorosa da trajetória vital dos pais, das suas relações interpessoais e das suas circunstâncias sociais será possível compreender a dinâmica familiar (Hidalgo et al, 2018;Menéndez, Hidalgo, Lorence, & Pérez, 2016;Menéndez, Jiménez, & Hidalgo, 2011). Ora, uma avaliação rigorosa não é possível sem a utilização de instrumentos robustos e validados para esta população.…”

Evidence-based Standards in the Design of Family Support Programmes in Spain

“…First evidence-based programmes were aimed at preventing child maltreatment among at-risk families (Menéndez et al, 2010). As Jiménez et al (2019) argue, however, there is a need to diversify initiatives for at-risk families in accordance with the tenets of progressive universalism, insofar as the majority have been psychoeducational interventions aimed at parents (Hidalgo et al, 2018). Some of the findings in this context are: 1) parents who participated in the group sessions of Crecer felices en familia ("Growing together as a happy family") programme showed positive changes in parental attitudes and satisfaction and a reduction in parental distress (Álvarez et al, 2015); 2) parental supervision and monitoring improved significantly among single-parent families participating in Vivir la adolescencia en familia ("Navigating adolescence as a family") programme (Rodríguez et al, 2015); 3) parents who participated in Programa de formación y apoyo familiar ("Family support and training programme") showed significant changes in affect management in family relations, in perceptions regarding their parental role, and in family functioning (Hidalgo et al, 2015); 4) parental competences and the quality of family interaction improved among at-risk and vulnerable families participating in Aprender juntos, crecer en familia ("Learning together, growing as a family") programme (Amorós et al, 2015); and 5) families participating in Caminar en familia ("Walking family") programme (Balsells et al, 2015) while their child was in a temporary foster care placement showed a more accurate perception of the parental role and improved parental self-efficacy, enabling a more positive experience with awareness of progress (Balsells et al, 2018).…”