Comparing Interventions with High Risk Families

Program comparison is needed to evaluate the effectiveness that each program has on similar populations. This study comparatively evaluated an evidence based program and a theory based program designed for intervention with high risk children. The evidence based program used in this study was functional family therapy, and the theory based program was intensive in-home. The comparison of programs was based on archival data assessing parental perception of change in symptomology. Forty-seven parents completed pre and post Youth Outcome Questionnaires for the functional family therapy program and 48 parents completed pre and post Youth Outcome Questionnaires for the intensive in-home program. ANOVA and t-test analyses were used that resulted in significant differences for each program's individual effectiveness. However, when compared, neither program was shown more effective over the other. This study highlights the necessity for program evaluation, particularly in terms of evaluating multiple treatment approaches for specific populations.