Mais Família Mais Jovem Program: exploratory study in a clinical sample

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of behavior problems in childhood and adolescence has motivated the search for answers that allow its prevention and intervention, in the clinical practice of Child and Adolescence Psychiatry. Just as In the same way that we know that inappropriate family  interactions can strengthen their occurrence, the crucial role of parents and caregivers as agents of change in a multidisciplinary intervention concerning these disorders has been highlighted. Group parenting interventions in a structured and sustained manner, based on the promotion of positive parenting, have been presented as a promising implementation measure in this area.

Aims: To determine the main changes obtained with the Mais Família, Mais Jovem program applied over twelve weeks with twohour sessions per week in a clinical sample of parents of children followed up in a pediatric psychiatric outpatient clinic (population aged three to twelve), at Dona Estefânia Hospital, in Lisbon.

Methods: Before and after the program implementation, a set of instruments was applied to parents (strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: mother / father version; Authorized Parenting Index: father / mother version) to assess its effectiveness. The evaluation and discussion of the results were further extended to during a follow-up period of three months after the end of the program.

Results and Conclusions: The attendance of parents in this program points to translates in a perceived an improvement perceived at all times in the evaluation assessment of their practices of acceptance and support for of their children, as well as the reduction of the notion of parental burden.  This data supports the evidence pointed out by the program in the development of healthy relationship patterns with the children, in the exercise of authority, dialogue, respect and education by affection, allowing the acquisition of parental skills in these domains. As expected, the externalizing problems of children and the global assessment of their difficulties also show a sustained reduction. The main limitation found was the small sample size, so these results support the need for greater investment in the application of the program in the services of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services, as well as further studies to confirm its effectiveness.