Ongoing research evaluating functional family therapy
Professor Alan Carr is involved in a study that is evaluating functional family therapy within an Irish youth justice context.The overall aim of the study is to investigate whether functional family therapy (FFT), when implemented by Irish practitioners, effectively produces reductions in criminality and other behavioural problems and improvements in family and individual functioning. To accomplish this aim, two different samples are being investigated: a retrospective sample for which data on recidivism will be collected, and a current sample for which recidivism data will be collected as well as more specific client self-reported changes in youth and family functioning. In both instances the outcome of FFT for treated adolescents will be compared with the outcome for similar youth participating in the Irish Garda Youth Diversion Projects. The study is being conducted in collaboration with Aileen O’Donoghue, Director of Families First, Clondalkin; Sean Redmond, Head of Young Offender Programmes at the Irish Youth Justice Service; and Professor Tom Sexton, University of Indiana. Clare Graham is the UCD research assistant / postgraduate on the project team.