title: The impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders on families: evaluation of a family intervention program.
abstract: The main purpose of the present study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the coaching families (CF) program, which aids families and caregivers raising children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Mentors in the program work with families to educate them about FASD, access resources, and advocate on their behalf. Retrospective data from 186 families were analyzed from pre- to post-program. As expected, among caregivers there was a significant decrease in needs and increase in goal attainment from pre- to post-program. Further, there was a significant decrease in caregiver stress from pre- to post-program. Families reported high overall satisfaction with the CF program. The limitations, directions for future research, and implications for service providers were also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, 6-102 Education North, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G5, Canada. leenaars@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Lindsey S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Leenaars
authors.forename: Kennedy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Denys
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Henneveld
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult