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Effectiveness of a Culturally Adapted Strengthening Families Program 12–16 Years for High-Risk Irish Families

Abstract

Background  

Evidence-based programs (EBPs) targeting effective family skills are the most cost effective for improving adolescent behavioural
health. Cochrane Reviews have found the Strengthening Families Program (SFP) to be the most effective substance abuse prevention intervention. Standardized cultural adaptation processes resulted
in successful outcomes in several countries.

Objective  

To promote wide-scale implementation and positive outcomes in Ireland, a unique model of inter-agency collaboration was developed
plus guidelines for cultural adaptation with fidelity.

Methods  

250 high-risk youth and families were recruited to complete SFP and its parent questionnaire. A quasi-experimental 2 group
pre- and post-test design was employed where the norms were the comparison group. A 2 × 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA) generated
the outcome tables including p values and Cohen’s d effect sizes. Evaluation feedback was used to improve outcomes the next year.

Results  

All 21 measured outcomes had statistically significant positive results. Larger effect sizes were found for the Irish families
than the USA families (d = 0.57 vs. 0.48 for youth outcomes, d = 0.73 vs. 0.65 for parenting and d = 0.76 vs. 0.70 for family outcomes). Overt and covert aggression, criminality and depression decreased more in Irish youth,
but the USA youth improved more in social skills.

Conclusions  

This study suggests that SFP 12–16 is quite effective in reducing behavioural health problems in Irish adolescents, improving
family relationships and reducing substance abuse. Additionally, the Irish interagency collaboration model is a viable solution
to recruitment, retention and staffing in rural communities where finding five skilled professionals to implement SFP can
be difficult.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Category Original Paper
  • Pages 1-23
  • DOI 10.1007/s10566-011-9168-0
  • Authors
    • Karol L. Kumpfer, Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
    • Jing Xie, Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
    • Robert O’Driscoll, Robert O’Driscoll, Health Service Executive South, Drug and Alcohol Services, Cork, Ireland
    • Journal Child and Youth Care Forum
    • Online ISSN 1573-3319
    • Print ISSN 1053-1890
Posted in: Journal Article Abstracts on 02/03/2012 | Link to this post on IFP |
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