The family bereavement program: efficacy evaluation of a theory-based prevention program for parentally bereaved children and adolescents.
This article presents an experimental evaluation of the Family Bereavement Program (FBP), a 2-component group intervention for parentally bereaved children ages 8-16. The program involved separate groups for caregivers, adolescents, and children, which were designed to change potentially modifiable risk and protective factors for bereaved children. The evaluation involved random assignment of 156 families (244 children and adolescents) to the FBP or a self-study condition. Families participated in assessments at pretest, posttest, and 11-month follow-up. Results indicated that the FBP led to improved parenting, coping, and caregiver mental health and to reductions in stressful events at posttest. At follow-up, the FBP led to reduced internalizing and externalizing problems, but only for girls and those who had higher problem scores at baseline.
Sandler
Irwin N
IN
Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1104, USA. irwin.sandler@asu.edu
Ayers
Tim S
TS
Wolchik
Sharlene A
SA
Tein
Jenn-Yun
JY
Kwok
Oi-Man
OM
Haine
Rachel A
RA
Twohey-Jacobs
Joan
J
Suter
Jesse
J
Lin
Kirk
K
Padgett-Jones
Sarah
S
Weyer
Janelle L
JL
Cole
Eloise
E
Kriege
Gary
G
Griffin
William A
WA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D010290:Parents; D011582:Psychological Theory; D011897:Random Allocation