Effectiveness of a Multiple Family Group Intervention for Juvenile First Offenders in Reducing Parent Stress

Abstract

Parenting practices are major influences on incidents of juvenile delinquency. Stress experienced by parents of children with behavioral problems is a leading contributor to parenting practices. We investigated the extent to which parental stress was reduced by participation in an established multiple group family intervention, the Family Solutions Program, developed to reduce recidivism among juvenile offenders. We also examined parent stress by gender, ethnicity, dropout rates, intervention benefits at 3-month follow-up, singleversus two-parent households, and across dimensions of family functioning and parentadolescent communication. Parents reported greater levels of parent stress than non-clinical parents prior to intervention. Parental stress did diminish in response to intervention, but not until follow-up to intervention completion. No differences were found on initial parent stress level between completers and non-completers of the intervention or between parent stress and gender or ethnicity of the parent; however, single-parent household was associated with significantly higher levels of parent stress. Family functioning was significantly negatively correlated with parental stress. Finally, open communication between juvenile first offenders and their parents improved significantly in response to the intervention both at post-intervention and at follow-up.

The Associations of Family Functioning, General Well-Being, and Exercise with Mental Health among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients

“…39 Specifically, Family APGAR score of 0-3 is considered to be high dysfunctionality, 4-6 is moderate dysfunctionality, and 7-10 is good functionality. 40 In the present study, the Cronbach's α coefficient of the Family APGAR scale was 0.889.…”

Evidence-Base Update for Parenting Stress Measures in Clinical Samples

“…In addition, study developers evaluated whether the initial items adequately covered the target construct by pilot testing the measure with two pools of parents. Construct validity of the PSS met criteria for a good rating, as it differentiated between parents of children who were first-time juvenile offenders and parents of nonoffender children (Les Caldwell, Horne, Davidson, & Quinn, 2007) and correlated with several theoretically related constructs (e.g., parent loneliness, anxiety, marital satisfaction, family functioning). The PSS demonstrated adequate treatment sensitivity, as it reportedly decreased following a familyfocused group intervention for parents of juvenile offenders (Les Caldwell et al, 2007).…”

“…Results showed that there is a strong evidence base for the treatment sensitivity of parenting stress measures in relation to parent training, parent-child interaction therapy, and social skills training interventions, primarily for parents of youth with ADHD, ASD, and disruptive behavior problems (e.g., Bradshaw et al, 2018;Gonring et al, 2017;Harwood & Eyberg, 2006;Niec, Barnett, Prewett, & Shanley Chatham, 2016). A smaller but growing evidence base exists for the treatment sensitivity of parenting stress measures with respect to other interventions including mindfulness-based stress reduction programs for children with developmental delays, multiple family group intervention for juvenile first offenders, and motivational interviewing for adolescents with ADHD (Les Caldwell et al, 2007;Neece, 2014;Sibley et al, 2016). It is worth noting that none of the treatment programs reviewed herein specifically targeted parenting stress or evaluated the mechanisms underlying treatment-related reductions in parenting stress.…”

Evidence base for Multiple Family Therapy (MFT) in non‐psychiatric conditions and problems: a review (part 2)

“…MFT with first-time juvenile offenders and sexually abusive youth and their families has shown encouraging results. Findings from three controlled studies on first-time offenders indicate improved treatment participation compared to single family and individual therapy (McKay et al, 2002), significant decrease in recidivism (eight times less) compared to a control group placed on probation (Quinn and Van Dyke, 2004), as well as reduced parental stress and improved parent-juvenile communication at the end of treatment and at threemonths follow-up (Caldwell et al, 2007). A systemic MFT programme has been developed by Keiley (2002) for incarcerated delinquent adolescents that specifically focuses on restoration of parent-adolescent attachment and on affect management.…”