Psychosocial Functioning Among Juvenile Offenders 12 Months After Family Empowerment Intervention

Abstract

We report the final results of a study of the impact of a Family Empowerment Intervention (FEI) on the one-year, post-initial interview psychosocial functioning of 272 youths processed at the Hillsbo-rough County Juvenile Assessment Center who entered the project between September 1, 1994 and January 31, 1998. The FEI seeks to improve family functioning by empowering parents. Families involved in the project were randomly assigned to either receive an Extended Services Intervention (ESI) or the FEI. Families in the ESI group received monthly phone contacts and, if indicated, referral information; FEI families received three one-hour, home-based meetings per week for 10 weeks from a clinician-trained para-professional. The outcome analyses indicated that, compared to ESI youths, youths receiving FEI services reported: (1) fewer drug sales during the follow-up period, (2) getting very high or drunk on alcohol less often, (3) less marijuana use, and (4) had a lower hair test positive rate for marijuana use at follow-up interview. Further, analyses found youths completing the FEI had much better psychosocial outcomes, than youths not completing the FEI. Overall, the results provide strong, consistent evidence in support of the efficacy of the Family Empowerment Intervention. It is hoped our promising findings will encourage other jurisdictions to implement this worthwhile service.