Objective: To determine the effectiveness of brief strategic family therapy (BSFT; an evidence-based family therapy) compared to treatment as usual (TAU) as provided in community-based adolescent outpatient drug abuse programs. Method: A randomized effectiveness trial in the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network compared BSFT to…

Objective: Therapist adherence has been shown to predict clinical outcomes in family therapy. In prior studies, adherence has been represented broadly by core principles and a consistent family (vs. individual) focus. To date, these studies have not captured the range of clinical skills that are represented in complex family-based approaches or…

This study examined the relationship between alliance and retention in family therapy. Alliance was examined at the individual (parent, adolescent) and family level (within-family differences) for families that either dropped out or completed family therapy. Participants were 31 Hispanic adolescents and their family members who received brief…

This cross-sectional study explores potential mediating effects of parental monitoring of peers on three adolescent problem behaviors (externalizing behavior, drug use, sexual risk behavior) among juvenile delinquents and their families. Participants are 190 African American and Hispanic adolescents and parent guardians enrolled in a family…

Presents additional data for the effectiveness of conducting family therapy through one person. Data are presented on 35 Hispanic families. Results are reported separately for pre-post and pre-post versus follow-up. The findings provide further evidence for the effectiveness of one-person family therapy and also further clarify previously reported…

Presents the results of a therapy-outcome study comparing the relative effectiveness of conjoint family therapy and one-person family therapy in Hispanic families (N=37). Results indicated that both treatment modalities were highly effective in improving family functioning and that one-person family therapy was more effective in reducing…

Bridges gap between systems theory, clinical research and clinical practice to address patterns that prevent families with substance-abusing youth from entering treatment. Reviews developments in family systems thinking that provide foundation for working with hard-to-reach families, discusses specific family interactional patterns that present…

Describes theoretically based structural family assessment procedure designed for use in evaluating therapy outcome. Explains how procedure involves evaluating family's interactional patterns on three tasks along six dimensions (structure, flexibility, resonance, developmental stage, identified patienthood, and conflict resolution). Presents…

It is widely accepted that an increase in delinquency and violence is rooted in a number of interrelated social problems such as child abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, and youth conflict and aggression. Family strategies and interventions have been designed in an attempt to strengthen the role of the family within the community as a means to combat…

Studies efficacy of Family Effectiveness Training (FET), a prevention and intervention model used with Hispanic families of preadolescents at risk of drug abuse. Studies 79 Hispanic families assigned to FET or control group. FET families showed greater improvement in structural family functioning, reported problem behaviors, and child…

Four models developed for the treatment of Cuban American adult and adolescent drug and alcohol abusers are discussed in this paper. The study reviewed was aimed at (1) investigating the effectiveness of "Ecological Family Systems Therapy," an approach created by the Spanish Family Guidance Clinic in Miami, Florida, and (2) identifying…

Compared structural family therapy (SFT), individual psychodynamic child therapy (IPCT) and control condition for Hispanic boys (N=69) with behavior and emotional problems. Findings suggest that control condition was less effective in retaining cases than treatment conditions, and SFT was more effective than IPCT in protecting family integrity.…

Compares efficacy of Bicultural Effectiveness Training (BET) and Structural Family Therapy (SFT) used with Cuban-American families in which adolescents manifested symptoms of conduct disorders and/or social maladjustment. Finds significant improvement as measured by family structure, acculturation/biculturalism levels, and adolescent behavior…

Purpose: The majority of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are cared for at home by a family member such as a spouse or daughter. Caregiving places enormous demands on these caregivers, and the negative consequences associated with caregiving are well documented. This paper reports results from the Miami site of the REACH (Resources for…