The impact of single focus interventions on family functioning
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17466660200700005 |
| Date | 01 June 2007 |
| Pages | 48-57 |
| Published date | 01 June 2007 |
| Author | Maurice Place,Richard Barker,Joanna Reynolds |
| Subject Matter | Education,Health & social care,Sociology |
48
1Professor of Child
and Family
Psychiatry,
Northumbria
University and
Consultant Child
and Adolescent
Psychiatrist, Tees Esk
and Wear Valleys
NHS Trust, UK
2Professor of Child
Welfare, School of
Health, Community
and Education
Studies, Northumbria
University, UK
3Research Associate,
School of Health,
Community and
Education Studies,
Northumbria
University, UK
Journal of Children’s Services
Volume 2 Issue 1 June 2007
© Pavilion Journals (Brighton) Ltd
Abstract
Although parenting skills can improve the management and behaviour of children, it is not clear if such
changes alter the fundamental sense of relationship within the family, particularly when used with young
teenagers. This study reports the impact upon family functioning, as measured by the Family Adaptability and
Cohesion Questionnaire (FACES), of a parenting programme and a self-esteem programme for young people.
The family functioning of young people with conduct difficulties was assessed before and after
intervention with either the young person attending a self-esteem programme, or the mother attending a
parenting programme. The results show that despite changes in behaviour and parenting approaches,
underlying family functioning was little changed, either from the parents’ or the young people’s
perspective. For older children at least it is important to combine parenting programmes with
interventions that change underlying emotional links within the family.
Key words
parenting groups; family functioning; FACES
Introduction
The increasing challenge and cost of intervening with
the behavioural problems of children and young
people is widely acknowledged (Muntz et al, 2004).
It is also generally recognised that the keystone in
respect of children’s current and future functioning is
their experience of family life. Experiences of family
life can be altered in a range of ways. This project
sought to explore whether a programme focused on
a specific element of functioning (specifically
improving parenting skills or alternatively
strengthening a young person’s self-esteem) can
exert a more generalised effect by changing family
functioning. The particular areas of functioning
targeted were cohesion (the emotional bonding that
exists between family members) and adaptability
(the family’s ability to change its power structure,
role relationships and rules to respond to situational
or developmental needs).
The quality of parenting available to children is a
significant factor in changing children’s behaviour –
hence the production of government guidance on the
importance of supporting parents under the Every
Child Matters programme (DfES, 2006). There is a
growing interest amongst children’s services
agencies in influencing parenting capacities. A clear
starting point for such programmes is to consider
what they are trying to achieve; as Miller and
Sambell (2003) have commented, ‘what constitutes
“good enough parenting” for parent educators…
reflects the different agendas that are operating
politically, professionally and personally in any
society or any family at different times’ (p33).
However, it seems that, in order to be successful,
parenting demands great flexibility and the ability to
recognise that the tasks required vary with the age
and developmental status of the child (Herbert,
1991). As children reach teenage years, their
developmental and socially constructed need to
The impact of single focus
interventions on family
functioning
Maurice Place1, Richard Barker2and Joanna Reynolds3
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