engleski

Contribution of protective mechanisms for planning family - based interventions for youth with behavior problems

Standardised family-based interventions are the most effective way of preventing or treating emotional and behaviour problems (Kazdin, 1994, McCabe et al., 2005, Hoeve et al., 2009, 2011, Sexton, Turner, 2010, Kumpfer, 2014). Research examining family relations suggests that good relationships between children, youth and their parents can improve their adjustment during important developmental phases and serve as a buffer to problem behaviours such as aggression and delinquency (Reingle et al. 2011 ; Losel and Farrington 2012). Since the process of positive adaptation in the context of risk is defined as resilience (Luthar et al., 2000), analysing relations between the above mentioned constructs is a contribution to this area of research. “Research of the Family Resilience” was piloted at the University, of Zagreb, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences in the second half of 2015. The aim of the project was to determine ways of family resilience assessment and explore the contribution of the family resilience to the developmental outcomes of youth. Goal of this paper is to determine the level of stress caused by entering high school, family protective mechanisms and behaviour problems perceived by the students in their 1st year of high school (N=304). Also, specific contribution of gender, stress levels and family protective mechanisms (Family communication and problems solving, Utilising social and economic resources, Maintaining the positive outlook, Family connectedness, Family spirituality, Ability to make meaning of adversity) to high school students’ behavior problems will be examined. Instruments used for data gathering were: Sociodemographic questionnaire involving question on stress level caused by entering high school ; Family resilience assessment scale (Sixbey, 2005) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman, 2005). The results of hierarchical linear regressions (separately for every subscale of behaviour problems: Prosocial behaviour, Emotional problems, Conduct problems, Hyperactivity, Peer problems) have shown significant contribution of some aspects of personal characteristics and family protective factors. More specifically, female gender and family connectedness contributes to higher levels of self-reported prosocial behaviour of youth. Female gender, presence of social and economic resources, family connectedness and ability to make meaning of adversity contributes to lower level of self – reported emotional problems while other aspects of family protective mechanisms do not contribute to self – report of other aspects of behaviour problems. The results emphasise the importance presence of social and economic resources, and promoting family connectedness and building ability for making meaning of adversity in family interventions when challenging behaviour of youth is present.

Family interventions, children and youth with behavior problems, protective mechanisms

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