title: A first-level evaluation of a school-based family programme for adolescent social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
abstract: This study is a first-level evaluation of an intervention targeted at adolescents with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties in Irish post-primary schools. It is a combined implementation of the Working Things Out adolescent programme and the Parents Plus Adolescent Programme (WTOPPAP). Overall, 47 parents and their children (mean age: 13.81 years) took part in the study. The study used a repeated measures design to assess change at pre- and post-intervention and 5-month follow-up using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, McMaster General Functioning Scale, Goal Attainment (parent- and adolescent-rated), Parent Stress Scale and Kansas Parenting Satisfaction Scale (parent-rated) as assessment measures. This study found that parent-rated child total difficulties and adolescent-rated emotional difficulties significantly improved from pre-test to 5-month follow-up. Parent- and adolescent-rated goals, and parent-rated child conduct difficulties, parental stress and satisfaction with parenting also significantly improved from pre- to post-test. These gains were largely maintained at 5-month follow-up. These findings indicate that the WTOPPAP may be an effective intervention for adolescents with emotional and behavioural difficulties and their parents. It was demonstrated that a manualised family intervention could be effectively rolled out at a number of school locations, with delivery and evaluation being conducted by school staff. Further implications are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Parents Plus, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eóin D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Rickard
authors.affiliation: Parents Plus, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brosnan
authors.affiliation: Parents Plus, Ireland.
authors.forename: Aoife
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Laoide
authors.affiliation: Parents Plus, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ciara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wynne
authors.affiliation: National Behaviour Support Service, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keane
authors.affiliation: National Behaviour Support Service, Ireland.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCormack
authors.affiliation: Parents Plus, Ireland john.sharry@gmail.com.|University College Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D000066553:Problem Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012572:School Health Services
keywords: Parents Plus; adolescent difficulties; emotional and behavioural difficulties; family intervention; school-based intervention; social