The impact of single focus interventions on family functioning Available to Purchase

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.