Support, Empowerment, and Education

Abstract

n this article we describe the results of a randomized trial ( N = 94) that developed and evaluated a multiple family group psychoeducation interIvention (MFGPI) for parents/primary caregivers of children with serious emotional disturbance (SED) enrolled in community-based child and youth intensive case management programs. Through group problem-solving and interactive knowledge development activities, the MFGPI addressed the key components of social support, parent education,and parental empowerment. The structured group sessions used a professional/parent leadership model. Parents/primary caregivers were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions (intensive case management plus adjunctive MFGPI or “treatment as usual” intensive case management). Parent problem-solving skills, parental coping skills, perceived social support resources,and child behavior were measured at three points in time (baseline, 9 months, and 18 months). No statistically significant difference occurred by group condition for the key variables of social support versus problem-solving/coping measures; parents in both intervention conditions had significantly more individuals to help them out over time.Youth behavior in both conditions improved significantly over time as measured by the overall child behavior scores.Analysis of the time by intervention interaction suggested that parents in the group condition also reported significant improvements on child externalizing and internalizing behavior scores and several subscale behavior scores.