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- Giannotta, Fabrizia, et al.
(author)
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An attachment family-based intervention to prevent adolescents' problem behaviors : a pilot study in Italy
- 2013
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In: Child and Youth Care Forum. - : Springer. - 1053-1890 .- 1573-3319. ; 42:1, s. 71-85
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundIn spite of the proven effectiveness of parenting based programs to prevent adolescent risk behaviors, such programs are rarely implemented in Mediterranean countries.ObjectiveThis pilot study was aimed at assessing the feasibility and the effects of a parenting based universal prevention program (Connect) in Italy.MethodsOur sample comprised 147 mothers and 147 youths, aged 11–14 (M = 12.46, SD = .72). We adopted a quasi-experimental design. Forty percent of the parents in the sample were in the intervention condition (receiving 10 one hour lessons a week). ANCOVAs and Cohen’s d coefficients were used to compute intervention effects.ResultsThe results showed that, despite difficulty in recruiting parents, the program held promising effects regarding the prevention of alcohol use at a universal level (Cohen’s d = .55); the intervention also marginally decreased the level of non-empathic answers from parents, at least in the short term (Cohen’s d = .32).ConclusionsThis study highlighted the importance of focusing on families to prevent problem behaviors in adolescence. It also points to the need for new strategies to engage parents in universal prevention.
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