Intensive family therapy: a way to change family functioning in multi-problem families

A single group treatment outcome study of intensive family therapy (IFT) is presented. One hundred and nine families from five Swedish units participa ted and results on family measures for eighty-six of these families are rep orted. This multi-centre study is the largest so far of this treatment mode l. The units offered a full-day multi-impact treatment programme for famili es during an intensive period of approximately one month preceded by a peri od of extensive planning. Measures used were the self-rating 'Family Climat e' and Family Relation Scale and observer-rated CRS-Turbo and the Beavers' System Scales. Significant changes in the direction towards a better family climate and a higher family functioning occurred. Given the very difficult circumstances of these multi-problem families the results are considered p romising.