Principles and Evidence of the Effectiveness of Family Treatment (From Juvenile Justice Sourcebook: Past, Present, and Future, P 339-363, 2004, Albert R. Roberts, ed. -- See NCJ-206597)

• NCJ Number: 206610
• Author(s): Carrie J. Petrucci; Albert R. Roberts
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 25 pages
• Sale Source: Oxford University Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research); Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Drawing largely from an extensive review of the professional literature and the research from two national programs, this chapter discusses the principles and evidence of the effectiveness of family treatment in addressing juvenile delinquency.

Abstract

The two national programs on which this chapter relies are the Causes and Correlates of Juvenile Delinquency, funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), and the Strengthening America's Families project, funded by a collaborative effort between OJJDP and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The chapter first presents an overview of family systems theory to explain how interventions at the family level are effective. This theory states that the family is the major socializing agent in influencing and helping shape the child's attitude, values, behavior, and personality. Research on factors that contribute to the risk for juvenile delinquency has found that child abuse by family members and juvenile delinquency co-occur. After the discussion of family systems theory, the chapter reviews what is known about the risk factors and protective factors that foster or prevent juvenile delinquency, followed by an outline of 12 key principles of family treatment programs. Next, the chapter briefly traces the early beginnings of family counseling for juvenile offenders as it describes some model programs. Types of current family treatment programs are then profiled. These include two types of family therapy, parenting programs, and comprehensive programs that involve multisystemic therapy. The most effective family treatment programs have several common themes. They focus on improving family relations, parental monitoring and supervision, and parent-child attachment; complex and multidimensional programs are the most successful, and skills training programs that allow family members to practice new skills have longer lasting effects than education programs. Programs that combine life skills and social skills for juveniles to improve social and academic competencies alongside parent training programs are more effective than programs that focus only on the juvenile. Finally, in order to be effective, programs must be implemented by highly skilled and well-trained professionals. 2 tables, discussion questions, and 53 references