Multiple family groups: An alternative for reducing disruptive behavioral difficulties of urban children

Objective: This article presents an evaluation of a multiple family group i ntervention (MFG) designed to meet the mental health needs of low-income mi nority children and families. Method: Children participating in the MFG are compared with children demographically and clinically similar who received individual or family therapy services at an urban mental health center Res ults: Of the children referred for MFG, 59% were still in service by the 16 th group meeting. Of the children assigned to individual or family therapy, only 39% were in service after 16 weeks. Data from the subsamples that att ended 16 weeks of MFG or therapy sessions were analyzed and significant dec reases in total disruptive behavior, conduct problems, learning difficultie s, hyperactivity, and impulsivity were associated with MFG participation Co nclusion: Follow-up interviews revealed that 70% of MFG parents noted child improvements in comparison to 54% of parents whose children received indiv idual family therapy.