RESPONSE OF FAMILIES TO 2 PREVENTIVE INTERVENTION STRATEGIES - LONG-TERM DIFFERENCES IN BEHAVIOR AND ATTITUDE-CHANGE

Objective: To explore the long-term impact of two forms of preventive intervention designed to diminish risk to children in families in whic h one or both parents suffered from affective disorder. Method: Fifty- four parents In 28 families were initially assessed and randomly assig ned to one of two interventions-a clinician-facilitated, manual-based, psychoeducational preventive intervention or a standardized lecture-g roup discussion in which similar educational information was presented . Assessments included standard diagnostic interviews, child behavior scales, and semistructured interviews with parents about the effects o f the intervention. Follow-up assessments were conducted three times o ver the 3-year follow-up interval. Results: No harmful effects were re ported for either intervention, and ratings of degree of upset about r eported concerns declined across time for both conditions. Families re ceiving the clinician-facilitated intervention reported more behavior and attitude changes than did lecture-group families when assessed aft er intervention. The difference between the two groups was sustained a t further follow-up assessments. Conclusion: Although both preventive interventions produced changes in behaviors and attitudes, parents in the clinician-facilitated intervention reported more benefit. These da ta support the hypothesis that linking cognitive information to the fa mily's life experience produces long-term changes.