An analysis of different resources and programmes supporting at-risk families in Spain

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to present an overview of the existing family support resources in Spain for at-risk families. We analysed 64 family support services from 16 agencies belong to 11 regions of Spain. In a second phase, 20 positive parenting programmes were analysed in depth to ascertain the extent to which they met evidence-based programme quality criteria. Our results suggest that services for at-risk families are delivered by public, local and social agencies. Most interventions were psycho-educational and aimed at parental training. The analysis of the positive parenting programmes’ quality showed both strengths and weaknesses. Most programmes relied on a previous needs analysis and interventions were, to some extent, outlined in a manual. Nevertheless, few programmes have been evaluated according to evidence-based programme criteria. In light of these results, we discuss several practical implications for services and family support policies aimed at at-risk families.

KEYWORDS:

• Family support services
• quality standards
• evidence-based programmes
• positive parenting
• at-risk families

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Victoria Hidalgo is a full Professor at the Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology of University of Seville, Spain. She coordinates a research group specialized in the elaboration, implementation and evaluation of Positive Parenting programs. She has extensive experience in institutional counseling and training of professionals in the field of family intervention. She is member of the Experts Group on Positive Parenting of the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equity and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces.

Javier Pérez-Padilla PhD is a full professor at the Department of Psychology of University of Jaen, Spain. His main interests are based on the assessment of needs and strengths in the performance of parenthood in circumstances of psychosocial risk as well as in the training of professionals and technicians in the field of family intervention.

Jose Sánchez is a collaborator teacher at the Department of Developmental and Education Psychology, University of Seville, Spain. He is dedicated to the promotion of child development from the design and implementation of Positive Parenting Programs. He coordinates international cooperation projects with Latin American countries, developing actions aimed at family support and community cohesion. It also advises professionals and institutions in the design of evaluation processes of psychoeducational programs.

Lara Ayala-Nunes PhD, is a Teaching Fellow in the Department of Psychology (University of Warwick, UK). She teaches developmental psychopathology and individual differences. Her research interests focus on child well-being in disadvantaged contexts, parenting in at-risk families and family support policies.

Jesús Maya Professor in the Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the University of Seville. His research experience includes the presentation of publications related to the implementation and evaluation of intervention programs with conflictive adolescents and families at risk both nationally and internationally. In the professional field, he is an expert in Family Intervention, Systemic Intervention and Psychodrama.

Víctor Grimaldi is a Professor in the Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology at the University of Seville. Her research focuses on psychosocial risk assessment in Child Welfare Services families. Psychologist from the Child Welfare Services of Seville.

Susana Menéndez, is a Professor in the Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology (University of Huelva, Spain). Teaching areas: subjects related to psychological development during adulthood and old age. Research interests: family as a context for human development during adulthood and old age, in both normative and at-risk situations, with special reference to psychosocial promotion of active ageing.

ORCID

Victoria Hidalgo http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9179-2722

Javier Pérez-Padilla http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2529-348X

Jose Sánchez http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2368-6012

Lara Ayala-Nunes http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5070-7731

Jesús Maya http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4472-1873

Susana Menéndez http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2198-8006

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Spanish Government (Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad) [grant number Project reference: EDU2013-41441-P].