Promising Approaches to Engaging Families and Building Strengths in Residential Treatment

Abstract

In order to improve post-discharge outcomes for children, it has been proposed that residential treatment centers place a greater emphasis on engaging families and building on strengths of the youths in treatment. This review presents the theoretical and empirical support for several promising strategies for engaging families, such as behavioral parent training, parent support groups, and systems approaches. Approaches to building on strengths, such as strength-based assessment, supporting social network relationships, adventure-based learning, and service learning are also reviewed. Suggestions are provided for integrating these approaches to construct a model residential treatment program.

An Evidence-Based Practice Model for Residential Treatment Programs

“…It bears mentioning that there are no empirical studies supporting the limiting of youth's contact with family as a method for helping children in residential care (Robinson et al, 2005). This body of literature has led experts to recommend a shift from a youth-focused to a family-focused model in residential care (Huang et al, 2005;Nickerson, Salamone, Brooks & Colby, 200). One researcher concluded, "….the road to better treatment outcomes may be paved with comprehensive, effective family treatment" (Sunseri,200,p.50).…”

A Review of Family Therapy in Residential Settings

“…Attendance and participation in family therapy is only one component of that involvement. Two family-oriented, empirically supported approaches that have been studied extensively include behavioral parent training and parent support groups (Nickerson et al 2004). Behavioral parent training is based on social learning theory, which suggests that behavior problems are the result of maladaptive parental management strategies (Nickerson et al 2004).…”

“…Two family-oriented, empirically supported approaches that have been studied extensively include behavioral parent training and parent support groups (Nickerson et al 2004). Behavioral parent training is based on social learning theory, which suggests that behavior problems are the result of maladaptive parental management strategies (Nickerson et al 2004). Training is focused on teaching parenting skills such as reinforcing behaviors, delivering consequences, and negotiating compromises through the use of instruction, modeling and role-play (Serketich and Dumas 1996).…”

“…The literature also shows that family support and education produces positive results when implemented as an intervention strategy for families of children in residential placement (Nickerson et al 2004). Martone et al (1989) developed a four-stage model for support groups of parents with children in residential treatment, which was associated with a shorter length of stay for adolescents.…”

“…Family systems theory suggests that family involvement during adolescent residential treatment is necessary in order to facilitate the transferring of therapeutic gains during placement to the home environment after discharge (Taylor and Alpert 1973;Jenson and Whittaker 1987) and this is supported in the outcome literature as behavioral parent training, parent support groups, and family systems approaches has been found to be directly related to positive outcomes in residential treatment (Nickerson et al 2004). …”