PARENT PERCEPTION OF THE VALUE OF TELEPHONE FAMILY-THERAPY WHEN ADOLESCENTS ARE IN RESIDENTIAL-TREATMENT

This study explored the value of telephones as intervention. The subje cts were 47 parents whose adolescent children were in residential trea tment. Dependent measures addressed the perceived value of three forms of telephone conversations in improving family functioning, family co mmunication, and adolescent behavior. Another measure was a parent sat isfaction survey. The independent measures were combinations of partic ipants in the telephone sessions: parents, adolescent residents, and t herapists. When sessions included therapists, adolescent residents, an d parents (telephone family therapy), parents perceived the greatest b enefit in helping family communication and family functioning. Parents also were most satisfied with therapy services when telephone family therapy was the primary type of telephone intervention.