Citation

Dijkstra S, Creemers HE, van Steensel FJA, Dekovic M, Stams GJJM, Asscher JJ. BMC Public Health 2018; 18(1): e848.

Affiliation

Child and Adolescent Studies, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, 3584, CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/s12889-018-5770-5

PMID

29986690

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the short- and long term (cost-) effectiveness of Family Group Conferencing (FGC) compared to care as usual (CAU) in terms of improved child safety, empowerment and social support.

METHODS: A subgroup of a larger randomized controlled trial, comprising 69 families in child welfare (experimental group: n = 46; control group: n = 23), was included.

RESULTS: No additional effects of FGC on child safety, social support and only short-term positive effects on empowerment were found. There were no differences in costs between FGC and CAU. The chance for FGC to be cost-effective was small. For families who refused FGC, the FGC approach was more cost-effective than CAU, whereas it was less cost-effective for families that prepared or completed FGC.

CONCLUSIONS: Overall, FGC is not (cost-)effective in improving child safety, empowerment and social support, but cost-effectiveness varies at different levels of FGC-completion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Dutch Trial Register number NTR4320. Registered 17 December 2013.

Language: en

Keywords

Child safety; Child welfare; Cost-effectiveness; Empowerment; Family group conferencing; Social support