The Importance of Family Involvement Techniques in Manualized Evidence-Based Programs. the Case Study of the Spanish Strengthening Families Program 7-12 (Family Competence Program)

Introduction: The objective of this proposal is to undertake research on the evaluated effectiveness of diverse techniques of family involvement (games, roles, debates…), in a family selective prevention program of long duration: Spanish Strengthening Families Program (SFP)/Family Competence Program 7-12 (14 sessions of 2 hours). The program has been implemented in two contexts, drug treatment program Proyecto Hombre (11 applications) and social services (29 applications). Hypotheses include: first, there will be no significant difference in the quality of implementation of the family involvement techniques in the two contexts; second, that the most detailed and complete activities for the participation in the program sessions generate the best results in family involvement; third, that the best results on family involvement impact positively on the long-term results of family competence.

Method: Quasi-experimental design, with control group and rigorous controls of the possible sources of bias. Follow up of 155 families throughout 24 months. 6 key sessions out of the total 14 sessions of the SFP-PCF (7-12) are analyzed, observed through external evaluators, with a detailed control list of family involvement techniques (regarding their application and response from the participants). These techniques are classified in expositions, debates and activities.

Results: First hypothesis is confirmed in expositions, debates and activities. I.e., in activities, the contrast drug treatment program/social services in performance for families is Z=-0,372/p=0,710. Second hypothesis is confirmed. For instance, in activities, the contrast drug treatment program/social services for families is Chi-square=61,900/p=0,000. Third hypothesis is also confirmed. In the case of the drug treatment program, in activities, Rho=0,592/p=0,000. In the case of social services, in activities, Rho=0,490/p=0,490.

Conclusion: There is no significant difference in the evaluated quality of the family involvement techniques used in the different applications of the Spanish SFP. The most detailed and complete performance of the activities of group involvement produces the best results in family participation. There is a positive relationship between the best results on family involvement and the results of family competence on long term.