Response of families to two preventive intervention strategies: long-term differences in behavior and attitude change.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the long-term impact of two forms of preventive intervention designed to diminish risk to children in families in which one or both parents suffered from affective disorder.


METHODS
Fifty-four parents in 18 families were initially assessed and randomly assigned to one of two interventions--a clinician-facilitated, manual-based, psychoeducational preventive intervention or a standardized lecture-group discussion in which similar educational information was presented. Assessments included standard diagnostic interviews, child behavior scales, and semistructured interviews with parents about the effects of the intervention. Follow-up assessments were conducted three times over the 3-year follow-up interval.


RESULTS
No harmful effects were reported for either intervention, and ratings of degree of upset about reported concerns declined across time for both conditions. Families receiving the clinician-facilitated intervention reported more behavior and attitude changes than did lecture-group families when assessed after intervention. The difference between the two groups was sustained at further follow-up assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
Although both preventive interventions produced changes in behaviors and attitudes, parents in the clinician-facilitated intervention reported more benefit. These data support the hypothesis that linking cognitive information to the family's life experience produces long-term changes.
Beardslee
W R
WR
Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Wright
E
E
Rothberg
P C
PC
Salt
P
P
Versage
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome