TY - JOUR PY - 2021// TI - Effectiveness of functional family therapy in a non-western context: findings from a randomized-controlled evaluation of youth offenders in Singapore JO - Family Process A1 - Ruby, Kala A1 - Abdul Wahab, Nur Diyanah Binte A1 - Zhou, Yiwei A1 - Gan, Daniel Z. Q. A1 - Hoo, Eric SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - This study is the first to evaluate Functional Family Therapy (FFT) in a non-Western culture. The effectiveness of FFT was examined in relation to three proximal outcomes relevant to youth offender rehabilitation: (i) mental well-being, (ii) family functioning, and (iii) probation completion. 120 youth probationers (M(age) = 16.2, SD = 1.33) were randomly assigned to receive either standard probation services-Treatment-As-Usual (TAU; n = 57)-or FFT in addition to TAU (FFT; n = 63). Data on psychometric measures of mental well-being and family functioning were obtained at (i) preprogram, (ii) postprogram, and (iii) at the end of probation. Probation completion data were obtained from casefile records. Mean mental well-being scores of the FFT group improved from pre- to post-treatment, and gains were maintained at follow-up. However, there was a nonsignificant trend for the FFT group showing higher rates of reliable change and clinical recovery on the mental well-being scale. There were no group differences in family functioning scores over time. However, there was a significant trend for the FFT group showing higher rates of reliable change and clinical recovery on the family functioning scale. Probation completion rates were 88.9% and 70.2% for the FFT and TAU groups, respectively. Youth in the FFT group were significantly more likely to complete probation successfully. The results support FFT's effectiveness in Singaporean youth offenders. At a broader level, the study findings support the cross-cultural effectiveness of FFT in, and transportability to, a non-Western culture.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0014-7370 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/famp.12630 ID - ref1 ER -