Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy for Mandated Versus Non‐Mandated Youth

Abstract

This study compares the outcomes for youth mandated to participate in Functional Family Therapy (FFT) to those whose participation was referred but voluntary. FFT is a short-term intervention for delinquents and status offenders, along with their parents. The study sample consists of 120 cases: 70 youth and parents who were mandated by the Family Court to participate in FFT and 50 youth and their parents who were referred to FFT by other agencies. The sample is diverse in terms of gender, race and ethnicity. The outcome variables consist of a set of scales obtained from the Strengths and Needs Assessment (SNA). Changes in life domain functioning, child strengths, acculturation, caregivers' strengths, caregivers' needs, child behavioral emotional needs, and child risk behaviors are assessed. The analysis indicates that both groups improved across all domains. Overall, being mandated to participate in FFT does not predict greater improvements in outcomes. The findings suggest that status offenders and minor delinquents who participated in FFT could be processed less formally without foregoing the therapy outcomes.

Barriers and Facilitators to Implementing Functional Family Therapy in a Community Setting: Client and Practitioner Perspectives

“…This may be particularly important in service contexts, such as the present study, where FFT is offered on a voluntary basis. Linked to this, previous research has found no difference in outcomes between voluntary and mandated groups but, for both, the effectiveness of FFT was associated with the number of sessions attended, or level of engagement (Celinska, ).…”

Testing an evidence-based drug abuse and violence preventive approach adapted for youth in juvenile justice diversionary settings

“…These dispositions vary by court but may include community service, writing a letter of apology to those affected, or restitution involving other activities (e.g., monetary compensation, in-kind services to the victim, indemnification). Some youth courts have added behavioral interventions to the dispositions provided, but these often have limited feasibility, such as labor- or time-intensive practices staffed by highly-trained professionals (Celinska, 2015 ; Lancaster, Balkin, Garcia, & Valarezo, 2011 ) or those that have produced limited or negative results (Klenowski, Bell, & Dodson, 2010 ; Pardini, 2016 ; Rodriguez, 2007 ).…”

A Qualitative Inquiry of Improved Alliance in Hispanic Families Paired with Hispanic Therapists in Functional Family Therapy

“…Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an example of an evidence-based family intervention that has been consistently shown to be effective in reducing tates of recidivism in the justice system with racially and ethnically diverse samples, including Hispanic youth and families (Baglivio et al, 2014; Robbins et al, 2018; Waldron et al, 2001). FFT is a cost-effective, evidence-based approach that is strongly supported by empirical research as effective in reducing adolescent disruptive behaviors (Robbins et al, 2016), with decades of research supporting its efficacy with myriad populations (Alexander & Parsons, 1973; Celinska, 2015; Celinska et al, 2013; Humayun et al, 2017; Robbins et al, 2018; Sexton & Turner, 2010). Additionally, FFT has a history of research examining therapist-specific processes connected to outcomes, including therapist relational skills (Alexander et al, 1976), and use of reframing (Robbins et al, 1996, 2000).…”