Virginia Commonwealth University
School of Social Work
PO Box 842027
Richmond, Virginia  23284-2027
804-828-2007
mlabell@vcu.edu
 
Purpose: Multiple family groups (MFG) have been proposed as a responsive intervention for at-risk, low income families to address a number of social problems.  Similar groups conducted in a weekly format often have obstacles to attendance that result in high rates of attrition. In this intervention, parents and their children participated in therapeutic groups in a serene, natural setting where the focus was on family unity and fun. In this paper we evaluate the effectiveness of the weekend retreat intervention by measuring family cohesion, communication, structure, discipline, stress management, and children’s behavior. The population consisted of homeless families, parents referred to an intervention program to reduce the risk of child abuse, and families involved in Communities in Schools.

Methods: This paper will report the findings of a quasi-experimental design to test the effectiveness of the MFG Weekend Retreat intervention. Parent participants (N =40) self-selected into a treatment condition where they attended the Multi-family Group Weekend Retreat or a comparison condition in which they continued to receive routine services, but did not attend the retreat.  Participants in both groups completed the same pretest measures prior to the weekend retreat and posttest measures on family functioning, parenting stress, and children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviors approximately four weeks after the retreat.

Results: Preliminary data analysis using an independent samples t-test showed that even though groups were not randomly assigned there were no significant pretest differences on the measures between the groups.  Posttest findings showed that families in the intervention condition improved on family functioning measures and children’s internalizing behaviors.

Implications for Practice: Findings suggest that an MFG weekend retreat may be an effective treatment option for at-risk families who have multiple problems. Parents and children report that the retreat is fun, reduces stress, and enhances family unity.