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Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14

An Evidence-Based Practice

Description

The Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 (SFP 10-14) is an adaptation of the Strengthening Families Program. Formerly called the Iowa Strengthening Families Program, the program aims to reduce substance use and behavior problems during adolescence through improved skills in nurturing and child management by parents and improved interpersonal and personal competencies among youth. SFP 10-14 consists of seven 2-hour sessions for parents and youths. The parents and child attend separate skill-building groups for the 1st hour and spend the 2nd hour together in supervised family activities. Four booster sessions are designed to be used 6 months to 1 year after the end of the first seven sessions to reinforce the skills gained in the original sessions. Youth sessions generally concentrate on strengthening goal setting, communication skills, behavior management techniques, and peer pressure. By contrast, parents generally discuss the importance of nurturing while simultaneously setting rules, monitoring compliance, and applying appropriate discipline. Topics include developing appropriate rules, encouraging good behavior, using consequences, building bridges, and protecting against substance abuse.

Goal / Mission

The goals of this program are to (1) prevent teen substance abuse and other behavior problems; (2) strengthen parenting skills; and (3) build family strengths.

Impact

The evaluation demonstrated that youths who participated in the study had less substance use, fewer conduct problems, and better resistance to peer pressure and that program parents were better able to show affection and support and set appropriate limits for their children.

Results / Accomplishments

SFP 10-14 has been evaluated in several different studies. In the principal study, 33 public schools in the Midwest were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) the SFP 10-14, 2) Preparing for the Drug-Free Years (PDFY), or 3) a minimal-contact control condition. The evaluation demonstrated that both youths and parents who attended the program showed significant positive changes. Youths who participated in the study had less substance use, fewer conduct problems, and better resistance to peer pressure. These positive changes were indicated by both delayed onset of problem behaviors and more decreases in these behaviors compared with the control group during the 4 years following the study pretest. Results indicated that program parents were better able to show affection and support and set appropriate limits for their children.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Primary Contact
Cathy Hockaday, Ph.D.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
2150 Beardshear Hall
Ames, IA 50011-2031
(515) 294-7601
sfp1014@iastate.edu
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/sfp10-14/home/sfp
Topics
Health / Alcohol & Drug Use
Health / Adolescent Health
Community / Social Environment
Organization(s)
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Source
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's Model Programs Guide (MPG)
Date of publication
2002
Location
Iowa
For more details
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/sfp10-14/
https://www.crimesolutions.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx...
Target Audience
Teens, Families

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An Evidence-Based Practice meets the following HCI criteria:

  1. The program description includes at a minimum: the sponsoring organization, program goals, program implementation steps, and outcomes that have demonstrated program success in achieving the program goal in one or more localities.
  2. The results from an evaluation of the program include quantitative measures showing improvement in the outcome(s) of interest after the implementation of the program (i.e. increase in smoking cessation, not just the delivery of a smoking cessation program). The outcome measure(s) is/are compared at relevant time periods before and after the intervention or program implementation. Alternatively, the evaluation study compares the outcome(s) between an intervention group and an appropriate control group.
  3. The study is of peer-review quality and presents numbers in a scientific manner; measurements of precision and reliability are included (e.g. confidence intervals, standard errors), results from statistical tests show a significant difference or change in the outcome measure(s), and relevant point estimates and p-values are presented. Note: if the results from an evaluation of a program are presented in a scientific manner and the outcome measure is improved compared to the baseline measurement or the control group but the difference is not statistically significant, the practice is classified as effective and not evidence-based.
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