The Implementation of Functional Family Therapy (<scp>FFT</scp>) as an Intervention for Youth Probationers in Singapore

Gan, Daniel Z Q; Zhou, Yiwei; Hoo, Eric; Chong, Dominic; Chu, Chi Meng

doi:10.1111/jmft.12353

Cited by 13 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…This is a particular important distinction within the local context considering the family circumstances and parenting were found to be the biggest predictor of recidivism in youth offenders (Chu et al, 2015), and that family dysfunctionality as well as criminality were associated with youth offenders being arrested and charged at a younger age (Chng, Chu, Zeng, Li, & Ting, 2016). To address this aspect, implementing targeted interventions such as the Functional Family Therapy may be useful in improving (a) the family functioning of the youth probationers, (b) the interactions between the youth probationers and their parents, as well as (c) reducing the psychological distress within their families—these have been shown to have impact on longer-term outcomes in other jurisdictions (see, e.g., Aos et al, 2011; Gan, Zhou, Hoo, Chong, & Chu, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk and Protective Factors for Probation Success Among Youth Offenders in Singapore

Chu

et al. 2018

Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice

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The study examined the risk and protective factors for the successful completion of probation orders among youth offenders in Singapore. Specifically, we proposed a typology whereby a predictor can be labeled as a promotive factor, hazard factor, or mixed factor in a direct relationship; or a booster factor or buffering factor in an interactive relationship. This study included 701 youth offenders. Retrospective case file coding was conducted to score the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI) and Structured Assessment of Protective Factors for Violence Risk-Youth Version (SAPROF-YV). Most SAPROF factors were shown to be mixed protective factors, whereas most YLS/CMI domains were either mixed risk factors or hazard factors. An absence of a supportive external pedagogical climate (PC) was the strongest mixed factor. For youth with high PC, significant booster factors included high levels of attitudes toward agreements and conditions, motivation for treatment, perseverance, and bonding to school/work, as well as low levels of risk in peer relations and education/employment. For youth with limited PC, buffering factors with the strongest effects include self-control, future orientation, and school/work. Implications for practice and future research were discussed. Keywords youth offender, protective factor, risk factor, YLS/CMI, SAPROF Youth offending and reoffending is a costly societal problem. Though in a decreasing trend, the number of youth arrested and convicted each year is still high worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 200,000 homicides occur among youth each year globally (WHO, 2016). Risk and protective factors associated with youth crime have received extensive attention from scholars. However, different terminologies have been used to describe risk and protective factors in existing literature (Ttofi, Farrington, Piquero, & DeLisi, 2016), and studies have shown considerable variations in the crime and recidivism rates. A recent systematic review of prospective longitudinal studies showed that the prevalence of life-course-persistent offenders varied vastly between 1.3% and 29.1% due to the differences in the study population and the definition of key constructs (Jolliffe, Farrington, Piquero, MacLeod, & van de Weijer, 2017). Therefore, research using shared definitions of variables examining the mechanisms of youth crime are critically needed in criminology research. Establishment of a typology of risk and protective factors is necessary to inform prevention and intervention programs for better offender rehabilitation outcomes in different cultures. Standardizing the Definitions of Risk and Protective FactorsIn the forensic risk assessment literature, risk factors are found to be consistently defined as variables that increase the likelihood of negative outcomes Vagi et al., 2013). In addition, risk factors should precede the outcomes and can be used to classify a population into high-risk and low-risk groups (Kraemer et al., 1997). In fo...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk and Protective Factors for Probation Success Among Youth Offenders in Singapore

Chu

et al. 2018

Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice

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“…In 2011, the center reported a reduction in risk level from moderate to low (13.0 to 5.8, respectively) on the Youth Level of Service assessment, demonstrating the FFT's success in a Scandinavian context (Mørkrid & Christensen, ). In a recent effort to implement FFT within an Eastern cultural context (e.g., Singapore), Gan et al, () reported similar rates of engagement, dropout, and total number of sessions as compared to the United States (i.e., California) and New Zealand, demonstrating the transportability of the program across multiple cultural contexts.…”

Section: Family Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

An International Examination of the Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy (FFT) in a Danish Community Sample

Vardanian

Scavenius

Granski

et al. 2019

J Marital Family Therapy

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Youth behavior problems have increased in prevalence in Scandinavian countries. Functional Family Therapy (FFT) has been shown to be an effective intervention across diverse populations and international contexts. The current study examines the effectiveness of FFT within a Danish-community sample in a pre-post comparison design and includes 687 families. Observed outcomes included both parent-and/or youth-reported domains of youth behavior, family dysfunction, school attendance and performance, and substance use. Significant improvements were found in youth behavior, family functioning, and school-related outcomes (e.g., like of school and truancy) despite experiencing a 60% attrition rate in our sample postintervention. This study provides evidence for the effectiveness of FFT on a wide scale in a Scandinavian context, adding to previous research that supports the transportability of this intervention.

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“…Cultural influences may have contributed to underreporting of family‐related difficulties. One of the major challenges faced by FFT therapists in Singapore was the unwillingness of clients to be candid about negative feelings toward other family members at the beginning of therapy (Gan et al., 2018 ). Specifically, it was observed that families tended to deny or trivialize conflicts and negative emotions, especially during the first session.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Detailed information relating to therapist selection, training, supervision, and performance assessment has previously been documented (Gan et al., 2018 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is the first RCT to examine the effectiveness of FFT in a non‐Western culture. Currently, there is a need for family‐based intervention for youth offenders in Singapore (Gan, Zhou, Hoo, Chong & Chu, 2018 ) but research examining the cross‐cultural effectiveness of evidence‐based family therapies is scant. Understanding whether such programs can be delivered with fidelity and yield positive outcomes in a different culture carries significant implications for clinical practice.…”

Section: The Present Study: Aims and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy in a Non‐Western Context: Findings from a Randomized‐Controlled Evaluation of Youth Offenders in Singapore

et al. 2021

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This study is the first to evaluate Functional Family Therapy (FFT) in a non‐Western culture. The effectiveness of FFT was examined in relation to three proximal outcomes relevant to youth offender rehabilitation: (i) mental well‐being, (ii) family functioning, and (iii) probation completion. 120 youth probationers (Mage = 16.2, SD = 1.33) were randomly assigned to receive either standard probation services—Treatment‐As‐Usual (TAU; n = 57)—or FFT in addition to TAU (FFT; n = 63). Data on psychometric measures of mental well‐being and family functioning were obtained at (i) preprogram, (ii) postprogram, and (iii) at the end of probation. Probation completion data were obtained from casefile records. Mean mental well‐being scores of the FFT group improved from pre‐ to post‐treatment, and gains were maintained at follow‐up. However, there was a nonsignificant trend for the FFT group showing higher rates of reliable change and clinical recovery on the mental well‐being scale. There were no group differences in family functioning scores over time. However, there was a significant trend for the FFT group showing higher rates of reliable change and clinical recovery on the family functioning scale. Probation completion rates were 88.9% and 70.2% for the FFT and TAU groups, respectively. Youth in the FFT group were significantly more likely to complete probation successfully. The results support FFT’s effectiveness in Singaporean youth offenders. At a broader level, the study findings support the cross‐cultural effectiveness of FFT in, and transportability to, a non‐Western culture.

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The Implementation of Functional Family Therapy (FFT) as an Intervention for Youth Probationers in Singapore

Cited by 13 publications

References 54 publications

Risk and Protective Factors for Probation Success Among Youth Offenders in Singapore

Risk and Protective Factors for Probation Success Among Youth Offenders in Singapore

An International Examination of the Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy (FFT) in a Danish Community Sample

Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy in a Non‐Western Context: Findings from a Randomized‐Controlled Evaluation of Youth Offenders in Singapore

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