2008 Journal of Children s Services
doi: 10.1108/17466660200800022
In response to what are perceived as the negative consequences for children of family change over the past century, governments in the UK and the US have devoted substantial funds to programmes to strengthen families, but the focus of intervention in the two countries has moved in opposite directions. In the UK, financial support has shifted away from couple strengthening to parenting programmes, while in the US financial support has shifted substantially toward couple‐focused interventions. This review article summarises studies relevant to these policy choices. We present research evidence for a multidomain family risk‐child outcome model, and then describe the results of three studies using a randomised clinical trial design to examine the impact of intervention with couples on children's adaptation. The data support the hypothesis that interventions focusing on strengthening couple relationships may have a more positive impact on families and children than interventions that focus on increasing parenting skills.
Cowan, Philip ; Cowan, Carolyn Pape
2008 Journal of Children's Services
In response to what are perceived as the negative consequences for children of family change over the past century, governments in the UK and the US have devoted substantial funds to programmes to strengthen families, but the focus of intervention in the two countries has moved in opposite directions. In the UK, financial support has shifted away from couple strengthening to parenting programmes, while in the US financial support has shifted substantially toward couple-focused interventions. This review article summarises studies relevant to these policy choices. We present research evidence for a multidomain family risk-child outcome model, and then describe the results of three studies using a randomised clinical trial design to examine the impact of intervention with couples on children's adaptation. The data support the hypothesis that interventions focusing on strengthening couple relationships may have a more positive impact on families and children than interventions that focus on increasing parenting skills.
2008 Journal of Children's Services
The ever-increasing diversity in family forms has provoked concerns in the UK about the instability of family life in the 21st century and promoted a plethora of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening families and supporting parents. This article explores the changes and continuities in family life and the implications for parenting and family policy. It argues that despite the immense diversity of family relationships, there is an enduring attachment to family ties and commitment. Understanding the inter-relationships between risk and protective factors and how resilience may be fostered is critical, therefore, to the development of policies that can support families at times of stress.
2008 Journal of Children s Services
doi: 10.1108/17466660200800023
The ever‐increasing diversity in family forms has provoked concerns in the UK about the instability of family life in the 21st century and promoted a plethora of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening families and supporting parents. This article explores the changes and continuities in family life and the implications for parenting and family policy. It argues that despite the immense diversity of family relationships, there is an enduring attachment to family ties and commitment. Understanding the inter‐relationships between risk and protective factors and how resilience may be fostered is critical, therefore, to the development of policies that can support families at times of stress.
Laura Hill; Louise Parker; Jenifer McGuire; Rayna Sage
2008 Journal of Children s Services
doi: 10.1108/17466660200800025
Over the past 30 years, researchers have documented effective, theory‐based programmes and practices that improve the health and well‐being of children. In order to produce measurable improvements in public health, such practices must be institutionalised; however, there are a number of barriers to translating what we know from science to what we do in practice. In the present article, we discuss a number of those barriers, including: cultural differences between those who espouse a public health, prevention science approach versus those who espouse a strengths‐building, health promotion approach; practical difficulties in documenting the evidence base for existing or newly developed programmes and practices; and inflexibility of standardised programmes and resulting insensitivity to local contexts. We discuss common ground between prevention and promotion perspectives and highlight emerging methods that facilitate the adoption of science‐based practice into community‐based services.
Hill, Laura G; Parker, Louise A; McGuire, Jenifer K; Sage, Rayna K
2008 Journal of Children's Services
Over the past 30 years, researchers have documented effective, theory-based programmes and practices that improve the health and well-being of children. In order to produce measurable improvements in public health, such practices must be institutionalised; however, there are a number of barriers to translating what we know from science to what we do in practice. In the present article, we discuss a number of those barriers, including: cultural differences between those who espouse a public health, prevention science approach versus those who espouse a strengths-building, health promotion approach; practical difficulties in documenting the evidence base for existing or newly developed programmes and practices; and inflexibility of standardised programmes and resulting insensitivity to local contexts. We discuss common ground between prevention and promotion perspectives and highlight emerging methods that facilitate the adoption of science-based practice into community-based services.
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