Exploring the short-term effects of the Strengthening Families Program on Brazilian adolescents: a pre-experimental study

Substance abuse and violence are among the primary health concerns regarding Brazilian adolescents. This study sought to explore the short-term effects of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP 10-14), a preventive program for families with adolescents, adapted to Brazil. A pre-experimental design...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drugs : education, prevention & policy prevention & policy, 2021-05, Vol.28 (3), p.267-277
Main Authors: Murta, Sheila Giardini, Vinha, Luís Gustavo do Amaral, Nobre-Sandoval, Larissa de Almeida, Rocha, Viviane Paula Santos, Duailibe, Karina Damous, Gomes, Maria do Socorro Mendes, Farias, Danielle Aranha, Foxcroft, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adolescent health
effectiveness
family-based intervention
parenting practices
Prevention
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Summary:Substance abuse and violence are among the primary health concerns regarding Brazilian adolescents. This study sought to explore the short-term effects of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP 10-14), a preventive program for families with adolescents, adapted to Brazil. A pre-experimental design was used, with a pretest and 10-12-month follow-up evaluation. A qualitative study was carried out using in-depth interviews held one to three months after the intervention to examine the use of skills learned. The sample included 126 adolescents (pre-test and follow-up comparison) and 23 adolescents (interviews) between 10 and 14 years of age from low-income families residing in northeastern Brazil. The comparison between pretest and follow-up showed an increase in learning self-efficacy and school absence without parental permission. Null effects were found on the consumption of alcohol in the last month; episodes of binge drinking in the last month; antisocial behavior; parenting practices regarding emotional support factors, intrusiveness, and behavior supervision; future time perspective; doing homework; grade repetition; school grades; school dropout; and satisfaction with one's relationship with school. The majority of the interviewed adolescents reported applying the learned skills during family interaction and with friends. Mixed results were found on short-term effects of the Strengthening Families Program for Brazilian adolescents. Future studies should examine the contexts and mechanisms linked to such results.
ISSN:0968-7637
1465-3370
DOI:10.1080/09687637.2020.1769030