Effectiveness outcomes of four age versions of the Strengthening Families Program in statewide field sites.

Abstract

Family dysfunction is unacceptably high nationally and internationally with high costs to society in adolescent problems. A number of evidence-based (EB) parenting and family interventions have been proven in research to improve children's outcome. The question remains whether these EB family programs are as effective in practice. This article summarizes research outcomes from a quasi-experimental, 5-year statewide study of the 14-session Strengthening Families Program (SFP) with over 1,600 high-risk families. The study compared outcomes including effect sizes for the four different age versions of SFP (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Quality assurance and program fidelity were enhanced by standardized training workshops, site visits by evaluators, and online supervision. Outcomes were measured using the SFP Parent Retrospective testing battery containing self-report standardized clinical measures of 18 parent, family, and child outcomes. The 2 repeated measures by 4 group ANOVA compared the four different age versions of SFP. All of the outcome variables for the four programs were statistically significant at less than the p Ͻ .05 level except for reductions in Criminal Behavior and Hyperactivity in the older 10 to 16 year-olds. The effect sizes were larger than in prior randomized control design of SFP. The average effect sizes for both the Parenting and Family Cluster scores range from a high Cohen's d ϭ .77 for SFP 6Ϫ11 years to effect size of d ϭ .67 for SFP 3-5 and 10 -14. The largest effect sizes were for improvements for the SFP 6 -11 condition in Family Communication and Family Strengths and Resilience (d ϭ .76 for both), Family Organization (d ϭ .75), Parental Supervision (d ϭ .73), Parenting Efficacy (d ϭ .70), and Positive Parenting (d ϭ .67). Parental alcohol and drug use was reduced most in the SFP 12-16 year version (d ϭ .43).

A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluation of an After-School Prosocial Behavior Program in an Area of Socioeconomic Disadvantage

“…A range of studies have reported on the effectiveness of the SFP. A quasi-experimental 5-year study using a retrospective pre/posttest parental questionnaire found medium to high effects for child-only, parent-only, and child-parent outcomes across three different age groups (Kumpfer, Greene, Whiteside, & Allen, 2010). The strongest effects were found for children between the ages of 6 and 11 years old.…”

The state of evidence-based parenting interventions for parents who are substance-involved

“…This cost effective intervention was adapted culturally to increase its engagement and acceptability (44,45) and can be delivered in individual or group format with two levels of potency (i.e., high-risk families may participate in 14 weekly sessions, whereas lower-risk families may participate in seven weekly sessions). After being utilized with over 1,600 families, research suggested that the SFP increases positive parenting behaviors (e.g., involvement), family functioning (e.g., communication), and parental efficacy and decreases parents' substance use and depression, corporal punishment, and children's behavior problems (43,46). The largest effect sizes (d =0.77) were found for families with children who were 6-11 y of age (43), although future work should examine the appropriateness of this intervention with families of younger children.…”

“…After being utilized with over 1,600 families, research suggested that the SFP increases positive parenting behaviors (e.g., involvement), family functioning (e.g., communication), and parental efficacy and decreases parents' substance use and depression, corporal punishment, and children's behavior problems (43,46). The largest effect sizes (d =0.77) were found for families with children who were 6-11 y of age (43), although future work should examine the appropriateness of this intervention with families of younger children. Overall, though, in a sample of parents who were substance-involved and receiving child welfare services, 47% of these parents achieved reunification with their children (47).…”

“…One intervention, the Strengthening Families Program (SFP; (41)), was examined with diverse parents who were substance-involved in randomized control trials by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (42,43). Key concepts in the SFP include having parents use praise, ignoring, clear communication of expectations, problem solving, and cognitive restructuring of thoughts and reduce coercive parent-child interactions by discussing family violence and abuse (43).…”

“…One intervention, the Strengthening Families Program (SFP; (41)), was examined with diverse parents who were substance-involved in randomized control trials by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (42,43). Key concepts in the SFP include having parents use praise, ignoring, clear communication of expectations, problem solving, and cognitive restructuring of thoughts and reduce coercive parent-child interactions by discussing family violence and abuse (43). This cost effective intervention was adapted culturally to increase its engagement and acceptability (44,45) and can be delivered in individual or group format with two levels of potency (i.e., high-risk families may participate in 14 weekly sessions, whereas lower-risk families may participate in seven weekly sessions).…”