A family-based, developmental-ecological preventive intervention for high-risk adolescents

Family-based preventive intervention has emerged as a promising modality fo r preventing antisocial behavior problems in youth. This article introduces an intensive, family-based preventive intervention for high-risk adolescen ts: Multidimensional Family Prevention. Multidimensional Family Prevention combines the advantages of standard prevention models (curriculum based and protection focused) with those of psychosocial treatment models (assessmen t based and problem focused). The model's main features are described: theo retical foundations (risk and protection theory, developmental psychopathol ogy, ecological theory), guidelines for constructing a multidomain preventi on program (family and peer relationships, school and prosocial activities, drug use and health issues, cultural themes), and strategies for tailoring and implementing five flexible intervention modules (adolescent, parent, i nteractional, extended family, extrafamilial). Implemented in the family's home, the intervention works to create a resilient family environment that supports the basic adolescent developmental goals of renegotiated attachmen t bonds within the family and durable connections with prosocial institutio ns.