Effective Family-Based Interventions for Adolescents With Substance Use Problems: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objective: This article is a systematic review identifying effective family-based interventions for adolescent substance use problems. Method: A substantive review of each intervention is conducted using guidelines for effective treatment for substance use problems. Additionally, a methodological review of each study is done using criteria for empirically validated treatments. Results: Treatment components of five interventions-Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT), Family Behavior Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), and Multisystemic Treatment-were consistent with a majority of guidelines for effective treatment. Notable exceptions include no aftercare and poor treatment retention. MDFT and BSFT met criteria of probably efficacious treatment, whereas the other interventions represented promising treatments. Moreover, MDFT demonstrated clinically significant changes in substance use and large effect sizes at posttreatment and follow-up. Conclusion: To increase provision of effective adolescent substance abuse treatment, social workers should use these research findings to guide implementation.

Empirical Research About Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence: A Methodological Review

“…Second, they aimed to "provide clarity for future research in this key area" (p. 184) by identifying the needs within the current body of research. Within the social science domain, similar efforts have been undertaken recently in the areas of counseling research (Bangert & Baumberger, 2005), adolescent substance abuse treatment (Austin, Macgowan, & Wagner, 2005), the links between viewing violent media and aggressive behavior (Savage, 2004), and health assessments among the elderly population (Byles, 2000), to name just a few. Therefore, methodological reviews represent a well-established practice for evaluating the state of research in a particular area of inquiry and for guiding future directions for research practices and strategies.…”

Best practices in community‐based prevention for youth substance reduction: towards strengths‐based positive development policy

“…2006) and family-based prevention of substance use (Austin, Macgowan, & Wagner, 2005). Few studies evaluated community-based prevention programs on youth substance problems and no evidence-based best practice analysis exist to date (Springer et al, 2004).…”

Participación parental en intervenciones familiares para prevenir drogodependencias: una revisión empírica

“…These results raise the question of evaluating programs effects in terms of gathering specific information concerning the level of parent and child attendance in preventive programs. Moreover, some reviews of family-based interventions for adolescent substance use problems (e.g., Austin, Macgowan, & Wagner, 2005) underscore the need to incorporate procedures to minimize treatment drop out. As so, the inclusion of these engagement strategies aimed at increasing treatment retention is now a shared treatment guideline to enhance the effectiveness of familybased interventions for adolescent substance use problems.…”

“…Systematic reviews of evidence-based interventions (e.g., Farrington & Welsh, 1999;Lochman, & Steenhoven, 2002;Kumpfer & Alvarado, 2003;Velleman, Templeton, & Copello, 2005;Austin, Macgowan & Wagner, 2005;Stefan & Miclea, 2010;Foxcroft & Tsertsvadze, 2011;Kaslow, Broth, Smith & Collins, 2012) and meta-analytic reviews (e.g. Smit et al, 2008;Kaminski, Valle, Filene & Boyle, 2008) indicated that these interventions have demonstrated efficacy in preventing substance use and other child problem behaviors.…”