Multiple-family Intervention Research Articles

Effectiveness of Scene-Based Psychodramatic Family Therapy (SB-PFT) in adolescents with behavioural problems.

Scene-Based Psychodramatic Family Therapy (SB-PFT) is a multiple-family intervention for adolescents with behavioural problems implemented by Child Welfare Services in Spain. This intervention is aimed at promoting adolescent well-being. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SB-PFT in 17 trials, measuring its impact on the emotional intelligence, parental attachment, peer attachment and antisocial behaviour of 216 adolescents (109 participating in the intervention and 107 in the control group). Repeated measures ANOVAs for pretest/posttest differences and long-term growth models were estimated. In the short term, the intervention had a positive impact on emotional intelligence and had a stabilising effect on parental attachment, whereas the long-term results showed significant logarithmic growth in emotional intelligence and exponential growth in parental attachment and a decrease in antisocial behaviour. However, no changes in peer attachment were shown. This study demonstrates SB-PFT to be a potentially effective intervention for adolescents with behavioural problems and emphasises the importance of fostering emotional intelligence.

Scene-Based Psychodramatic Family Therapy With Troubled Adolescents and Parents: A Pilot Study.

Scene-Based Psychodramatic Family Therapy (SB-PFT) is an innovative treatment used with troubled adolescents and their parents to improve family relationships and reduce adolescents' problematic behavior. It integrates the principles of family therapy, psychodrama, and multiple-family group methodology. This research is a pilot study to obtain empirical evidence on the SB-PFT therapeutic process by gauging the perception of change of troubled adolescents and their parents, and assess the perceived helpfulness of its methodology and techniques. Ten multiple-family intervention groups were drawn up, with 110 participants (63 adolescents and 47 parents), and we adopted a qualitative methodology with focus groups, using an inductive analysis of 290 active constructions of participant narratives. Concerning perception of change, the adolescents reported mainly gaining in social support, prosocial attitudes, keys to problem solving, and expression of emotions due to the treatment. The parents perceived improvement in social support, keys for educational practices, emotional well-being, and expression of emotions due to the treatment. Regarding the perceived helpfulness of methodology and techniques, both adolescents and parents highlighted the usefulness of the group methodology for gaining social support, relativizing the problem, and expressing emotions. Additionally, participants referred to role-playing and mirror techniques as the most useful techniques. In conclusion, this first study on SB-PFT presents and describes its treatment for troubled adolescents and their parents. The participants' positive perception of their personal and relational change after treatment should serve to promote further studies with quantitative methodology in order to verify the effectiveness of SB-PFT treatment.

Efficacy of family intervention in management of schizophrenic patients in China: a meta-analysis

To assess the efficacy of family intervention in management of schizophrenic patients in China. Chinese databases CNKI, VIP, WANFANG, CBM and English databases OVID Medline, Science Direct, Web of science, EBSCO were searched systematically from inception to January 2015. Quantitative and empirical studies on the outcomes of social disability screening scale (SDSS), brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) and positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) of family intervention for Chinese schizophrenic patients were selected. The effect size was derived from the standardized mean difference (SMD), and meta-analysis was conducted to compare effects of family intervention by intervention types, time of intervention, durations of illness and severity of schizophrenia. The study included 57 articles that met inclusion criteria. SDSS and PANSS scores revealed that the effect was positively associated with the length of intervention time (P<0.0001, P=0.0025); the effect of single family intervention was better than that of combined single and multiple family intervention (P<0.0001, P=0.0131); the effect was better for patients with severe conditions than those with less severe conditions (P<0.0001, P=0.0280). The SDSS showed that the effect was better for patients with shorter disease duration (P<0.0001). The results suggest that the long single family intervention would benefit to schizophrenic patients, particularly for severe patients with short disease duration.

A five-year randomized parallel and blinded clinical trial of an extended specialized early intervention vs. regular care in the early phase of psychotic disorders: study protocol

BackgroundSpecialized Early Intervention services (SEI) for first episode psychosis are shown to be effective for the treatment of positive and negative symptoms, medication adherence, rates of relapse, substance abuse disorders, functional outcome and quality of life at two-year treatment follow up. However, it is also reported that these benefits are not maintained when SEI is not sustained. The objective of this trial is to test the efficacy of a 3-year extension of a SEI service (following 2 years of SEI prior to randomization) for the maintenance and consolidation of therapeutic gains as compared to regular care in the community.MethodsFollowing an initial 2 years of SEI, patients are randomized to receive either 3-years of continued SEI or regular care. SEI provided at three sites within the McGill network of SEI services, using a model of treatment comprised of: modified assertive case management; psycho education for families; multiple family intervention; cognitive behavioural therapy; and substance abuse treatment and monitoring. Blinded research assistants conduct ongoing evaluation of the outcome variables every three months. The primary outcome measure is remission status measured both as the proportion of patients in complete remission and the mean length of remission achieved following randomization during the additional three years of follow up. Based on preliminary data, it is determined that a total of 212 patients are needed to achieve adequate statistical power. Intent to treat with the last observation carried forward will be the primary method of statistical analysis.DiscussionThe “critical period” hypothesis posits that there is a five year window during which the effects of the nascent psychotic illness can be countered and the impact of the disorder on symptomatic and functional outcomes can be offset through active and sustained treatment. Providing SEI throughout this critical period may solidify the benefits of treatment such that gains may be more sustainable over time as compared to intervention delivered for a shorter period. Findings from this study will have implications for service provision in first episode psychosis.Trial registrationISRCTN11889976

Health in overweight children: 2-year follow-up of Finnmark Activity School—a randomised trial

ObjectiveTo compare a comprehensive lifestyle intervention for overweight children performed in groups of families with a conventional single-family treatment. Two-year follow-up data on anthropometric and psychological outcome are presented.DesignOverweight and...

Single versus multiple-family intervention in childhood overweight—Finnmark Activity School: a randomised trial

ObjectiveTo compare a new comprehensive lifestyle programme performed in groups of families with overweight (included obese) children with a more conventional single-family programme. The study design and interim anthropometrical results...

Multiple-Family Group Treatment for English- and Vietnamese-Speaking Families Living With Schizophrenia

Multiple-Family Group Treatment for English- and Vietnamese-Speaking Families Living With Schizophrenia

Une Intervention De Groupe D'Orientation Systemique Aupres De Couples En Periode Prenatale

The birth of a first child results in an important period of transition for new parents. A systemic intervention was planned and implemented with a group of couples during the prenatal period. This intervention was based upon concepts related to systemic family intervention and multiple family intervention. One of the main objectives was to allow participants to improve their functioning as couples in the areas of communication, feeling response, role distribution, and conflict resolution. The analysis describes the dynamics of the group and the couples as well as changes that occurred during the intervention. Group support allowed the couples to experiment new modes of communication and to improve their methods of conflict resolution. The author discusses the importance of integrating some aspects of this intervention in traditional prenatal groups, in particular, discussions on individual expectations and needs of future parents. She emphasizes the importance of educating nurses in family intervention given their active role with families at this particular stage of family development.