Strengthening Family Bonds: A Synthesis of Issues and Findings

摘要

Demonstration projects that have implemented multifaceted programs to strengthen family bonds with interpersonal, cognitive, and affective components are reviewed. Several dimensions along which demonstration projects can be organized are described. For example, projects focused on strengthening family bonds can be organized by diagnostic categories of the dependent family member (e.g., developmental disabilities, child abuse/neglect, and senescence). Socioeconomic class, ethnicity, and related variables can provide a basis for organizing demonstration projects into categories due to differences in income levels, educational levels, verbal skills, etc. Intervention timing is determined to be an inadequate basis for categorizing demonstration projects because most contemporary programs are similar in their prevention orientation. Research on intervention alternatives, methodological issues, content areas, and cost effectiveness is urged.