title: Multiple Family Groups to reduce child disruptive behavior difficulties: moderating effects of child welfare status on child outcomes.
abstract: Children who remain at home with their permanent caregivers following a child welfare (CW) involvement (e.g., investigation, out-of-home placement) manifest high rates of behavioral difficulties, which is a risk factor for further maltreatment and out-of-home placement if not treated effectively. A recently tested Multiple Family Group (MFG) service delivery model to treat youth Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBDs) has demonstrated effectiveness in improving child behavior difficulties among hard-to-engage, socioeconomically disadvantaged families by addressing parenting skills, parent-child relationships, family communication and organization, social support, and stress. This exploratory study examines whether child behavioral outcomes for MFG differ for families with self-reported lifetime involvement in CW services compared to other families, as families with CW involvement struggle with additional stressors that can diminish treatment success. Youth (aged 7-11) and their families were assigned to MFG or services as usual (SAU) using a block comparison design. Caregivers reported on child behavior, social skills, and functional impairment. Mixed effects regression modeled multilevel outcomes across 4 assessment points (i.e., baseline, mid-test, post-test, 6-month follow-up). Among CW-involved families, MFG participants reported significantly reduced child oppositional defiant disorder symptoms at 6-month follow-up compared with SAU participants. No other differences were found in the effect of MFG treatment between CW and non-CW involved families. Findings suggest that MFG may be as effective in reducing child behavior difficulties for both CW and non-CW involved families. As a short-term, engaging, and efficient intervention, MFG may be a particularly salient service offering for families involved in the CW system.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Maryland, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA.
authors.forename: Geetha
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gopalan
authors.affiliation: Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003, USA; School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 325 Pittsboro St, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Latoya
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Small
authors.affiliation: Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003, USA; School of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania, 3701 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuss
authors.affiliation: Silver School of Social Work, New York University, 1 Washington Square North, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.affiliation: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Jerrold
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Division of Biostatistics, New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marcus
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, 246 Greene Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chacko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000068216:Child Protective Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002669:Child Welfare; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000379:methods; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005581:Foster Home Care; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D000066553:Problem Behavior; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Child welfare; Evidence based treatment; Mental health services; Moderation analyses; Multiple Family Groups