Multiple‐Family Group Intervention for Incarcerated Male Adolescents Who Sexually Offend and Their Families: Change in Maladaptive Emotion Regulation Predicts Adaptive Change in Adolescent Behaviors

Abstract

The multiple-family group intervention is an effective, yet affordable, 8-week treatment that is conducted in a juvenile correctional institution in Alabama with adolescents who sexually offend and their families. Data from 115 incarcerated male adolescents and their male and female caregivers collected at pre-, post-, and 1-year follow-up were used to determine that problem behaviors (internalizing, externalizing) decreased over pre- and posttest and the significant decreases in maladaptive emotion regulation predicted those changes. Adolescent-reported anxiety over abandonment and attachment dependence on parents increased significantly; these changes were predicted by decreases in maladaptive emotion regulation. Linear growth models were also fit over the 3 time points and indicate decreases in adolescent problem behavior and maladaptive emotion regulation.

Evidence base for Multiple Family Therapy (MFT) in non‐psychiatric conditions and problems: a review (part 2)

“…Preliminary findings indicated a decrease of adolescent externalizing and internalizing behaviours and greater improvement in functional affect regulation and attachment for both MFT adolescents and their parents, compared to a control group of non‐MFT incarcerated adolescents. A more recent uncontrolled longitudinal study conducted by the same author (Keiley et al ., ) on incarcerated sexually offending adolescents and their families, confirmed significant improvements in problem behaviours as a result of MFT participation, which were maintained at the one‐year follow‐up and were predicted by significant decreases in maladaptive emotion regulation. In addition, rates of post‐release recidivism were extremely low compared to national rates.…”

Scene‐Based Psychodramatic Family Therapy With Troubled Adolescents and Parents: A Pilot Study

“…Scene-Based Psychodramatic Family Therapy uses the multiple-family group methodology that consists of therapeutically attending to several family systems conjointly (Keiley, Zaremba-Morgan, Datubo-Brown, Pyle, & Cox, 2015). The empirical data available for this methodology reveal that multiple-family groups favor intra-family communication and empathy (Keiley et al, 2015), problem solving (Keiley et al, 2015;Oruche, Draucker, Alkhattab, Knopf, & Mazurcyk, 2014), relativization of the problem (Oruche et al, 2014), and a reduction in adolescents' problematic behavior (Keiley et al, 2015).…”

Brief‐Systemic Programs for Promoting Mental Health and Relationship Functioning in Military Couples and Families

“…This evaluation is a critical contribution that military family scholars and practitioners can provide. Additionally, with many programs focusing on groups of couples or families, incorporating multiple couple or family group assessment methods would also be beneficial given the nested nature of the data (see Keiley, Zaremba-Morgan, Datubo-Brown, Pyle, & Cox, 2015;Manne, Siegel, Heckman, & Kashy, 2016;Wittenborn, Keiley, & Sprenkle, 2012). Multiple-system group approaches involve holding treatment (and control) sessions over a period of time for small groups of couples or families who are experiencing similar transitions and difficulties.…”