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Evaluating Supervision Models in Functional Family Therapy: Does Adding Observation Enhance Outcomes?
Author(s) -
Robbins Michael S.,
Waldron Holly Barrett,
Turner Charles W.,
Brody Janet,
Hops Hyman,
Ozechowski Timothy
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
family process
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.011
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1545-5300
pISSN - 0014-7370
DOI - 10.1111/famp.12399
Subject(s) - ethnic group , psychology , juvenile delinquency , clinical psychology , exploratory research , family therapy , african american , medicine , developmental psychology , psychiatry , ethnology , sociology , anthropology , history
This study examined the effects of observation‐based supervision Building Outcomes with Observation‐Based Supervision of Therapy ( BOOST therapists = 26, families = 105), versus supervision as usual ( SAU therapists = 21, families = 59) on (a) youth externalizing behavior problems and (b) the moderating effects of changes in family functioning on youth externalizing behaviors for adolescents receiving Functional Family Therapy ( FFT ). Exploratory analyses examined the impact of supervision conditions on youth internalizing problems. In 8 community agencies, experienced FFT therapists ( M  =   1.4 years) received either BOOST or SAU supervision in a quasi‐experimental design. Male (59%) or female (41%) adolescents were referred for the treatment of behavior problems (e.g., delinquency, substance use). Clients were Hispanic (62%), African American (19%), Non‐Hispanic White (12%), or Other (7%) ethnic/racial origins. Therapists (female, 77%) were Hispanic 45%, African American (19%), White Non‐Hispanic (30%), or other (4%) ethnic/racial backgrounds. Analyses controlled for the presence or absence of clinically elevated symptoms on outcome variables. Clinical outcomes were measured at baseline, 5 months, and 12 months after treatment initiation. Clients with externalizing behavior above clinical thresholds had significantly greater reductions in problem behaviors in the BOOST versus the SAU conditions. Clients below thresholds did not respond differentially to conditions. Supervisors in BOOST had more experience with the FFT model; as such, the observed results may be a result of supervisor experience. The BOOST supervision was associated with improved outcomes on problem behaviors that were above clinical thresholds. The findings demonstrate the importance of addressing client case mix in implementation studies in natural environments.

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