title: Multiple Family Groups for Children with Disruptive Behavior Disorders: Child Outcomes at 6-Month Follow-Up.
abstract: This paper reports on the 6-month follow-up outcomes of an effectiveness study testing a multiple family group (MFG) intervention for clinic-referred youth (aged 7-11) with disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs) and their families in socioeconomically disadvantaged families compared to services-as-usual (SAU) using a block comparison design. The settings were urban community-based outpatient mental health agencies. Clinic-based providers and family partner advocates facilitated the MFG intervention. Parent-report measures targeting child behavior, social skills, and impairment across functional domains (i.e., relationships with peers, parents, siblings, and academic progress) were assessed across four timepoints (baseline, mid-test, post-test, and 6-month follow-up) using mixed effects regression modeling. Compared to SAU participants, MFG participants reported significant improvement at 6-month follow-up in child behavior, impact of behavior on relationship with peers, and overall impairment/need for services. Findings indicate that MFG may provide longer-term benefits for youth with DBDs and their families in community-based settings. Implications within the context of a transforming healthcare system are discussed.
authors: School of Social Work, University of Maryland, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors: Geetha
authors: G
authors: Gopalan
authors: Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Anil
authors: A
authors: Chacko
authors: Silver School of Social Work, McSilver Institute for Poverty, Policy, and Research, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Lydia
authors: L
authors: Franco
authors: Silver School of Social Work, McSilver Institute for Poverty, Policy, and Research, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Kara M
authors: KM
authors: Dean-Assael
authors: Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Lauren E
authors: LE
authors: Rotko
authors: Division of Biostatistics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Sue M
authors: SM
authors: Marcus
authors: Department of Child Psychiatry, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Kimberly E
authors: KE
authors: Hoagwood
authors: Silver School of Social Work, McSilver Institute for Poverty, Policy, and Research, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Mary M
authors: MM
authors: McKay
keywords: Child disruptive behavior disorders; Effectiveness trials; Inner-city communities; Service delivery; Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities