https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1861-7511
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ABSTRACT
Adolescence is a particularly vulnerable time in terms of the possible onset of drug abuse, with an increased risk in the case of minors from socially disadvantaged families. Selective family-based drug prevention programmes seek to empower families by providing the necessary tools and skills for parents to manage relations with their adolescent children. The aim of this study was to analyse the resulting dynamics of 69 vulnerable families who completed a Family Competence Programme (FCP) for adolescents aged between 12 and 16. For this purpose, a k-means cluster analysis was conducted, leading to the identification of four clusters characterised by different types of family dynamics, based on the scores of the KK-Children Questionnaire and BASC (Behaviour Assessment System for Children). Each cluster was named accordingly: improvable skills, poor organisation, poor communication, and competent. From the analysis, it can be concluded that the observed differences in family dynamics are not dependent on the families’ level of vulnerability or structure, but rather on their acquired skills. In conclusion, the profiles and family dynamics of families at risk with access to programmes like the FCP are dependent on their parental and family skills.
RESUMEN
La adolescencia es un momento particularmente vulnerable en cuanto a la posible aparición del uso indebido de drogas, con un mayor riesgo en el caso de los menores provenientes de familias socialmente desfavorecidas. Los programas selectivos de prevención de drogas basados en la familia buscan capacitar a las familias proporcionándoles las herramientas y habilidades necesarias para que los padres gestionen las relaciones con sus hijos adolescentes. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las dinámicas resultantes de 69 familias vulnerables que completaron el Programa de Competencia Familiar (PCF) para adolescentes de entre 12 y 16 años. Para ello, se realizó un análisis de conglomerados k-means, que condujo a la identificación de cuatro conglomerados caracterizados por diferentes tipos de dinámicas familiares, basados en los puntajes del KK-Children Questionnaire y BASC (Sistema de Evaluación del Comportamiento para Niños). Cada grupo fue nombrado en consecuencia: habilidades mejorables, organización deficiente, comunicación deficiente y competente. A partir del análisis, se puede concluir que las diferencias observadas en la dinámica familiar no dependen del nivel de vulnerabilidad o estructura de las familias, sino de las habilidades adquiridas. En conclusión, los perfiles y las dinámicas familiares de las familias en riesgo con acceso a programas como el PCF dependen de sus habilidades parentales y familiares.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes on contributors
Lluís Ballester, has a PhD in Sociology and Philosophy, and a Degree in Social Work. He has worked as an educator and social worker in Palma City Council, Cáritas and in the Consell de Mallorca. From 1988 to 1996 he was responsible for the Department of Planning and Studies in the area of Social Welfare and Health of the Consell de Mallorca. He is a member of the Research and Educational and Social Training Group (GIFES) and Co-director, along with Professor Carmen Orte, of University specialist courses on prevention of and approaches to youth conflict. He coordinates, together with Professor Josep Lluís Oliver, the evaluation of the Program on Child and Family Poverty (La Caixa) for the Balearic Islands, part of the Network of Youth and Social Inclusion, formed by 5 universities and 8 social entities of the State. He has also been part of the Prostitution Study Group in the Balearic Islands since 2003.
María Valero, has a Degree in Psychology from the University of Almeria (2011) and a Master’s specialised in psychological intervention in clinical and social fields (2013). She is currently a PhD student in Education at the University of Balearic Islands through a scholarship FPI of the Ministry of Economy (Research Personnel Training) and member of the research team GIFES. Her research interests are family responsibilities, prevention and evidence-based programmes, preventing risk behaviours in childhood and adolescence.
Carmen Orte, has a degree in Psychology and a PhD in Education. She’s University Professor and principal investigator in family prevention programmes based on scientific evidence of the research group GIFES in the University of Balearic Islands. In the field of education throughout life, she created the Open University for Seniors (UOM) during 1997 to 1998 and directed until July 2013. In the field of family education and in learning throughout life she has three active competitive research studies, one national and two European. She is director of the Chair of Dependency Care and Promotion of Personal Autonomy and the director of the Yearbook of Aging Balearic Islands and the Co-Director of the Yearbook of Education of the Balearic Islands and in 2015 was Director of the International Summer Senior University. She is deputy director of the Department of Pedagogy and Didactic Specific.
Joan Amer, has a PhD in Sociology (Autonomous University of Barcelona). From 2010 onwards, he has been Lecturer at the Department of Pedagogy and Specific Didactics. He was a postdoctoral researcher at Lancaster University (United Kingdom) 2006–2008. He is a member of the Research Group GIFES and works in the fields of evidence-based family education programmes, social pedagogy, sociology of family and education, and qualitative research.
ORCID
Lluís Ballester http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1861-7511
María Valero http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1065-7028
Carmen Orte http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4695-4411
Joan Amer http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7751-7110