Family intervention with at-risk families

Year
4
Academic year
2019-2020
Code
02021495
Subject Area
Psychology
Language of Instruction
Portuguese
Mode of Delivery
E-learning
ECTS Credits
4.0
Type
Elective
Level
2nd Cycle Studies - Mestrado

Recommended Prerequisites

It is recommended but not mandatory, that students should have passed the units Family Psychology (1st phase of MIP), Fundamentals of Systemic Psychotherapy or Models and Modes of Systemic Intervention

Teaching Methods

The collective contact hours are organised along three fundamental lines: a) analysis and discussion of recommended literature according to the organisation of the syllabus; b) analysis and discussion of case studies; c) role-play to practise the skills needed to implement assessment and intervention with families at risk.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Objectives:

 a) to know the models and research data on the developmental implications of living in contexts of risk;

 b) to critically appraise different strategies for assessment and intervention with families at risk;

 c) to understand the importance of evaluating and mobilising the potential of the family for change.

Expected learning outcomes:

 a) to be able to assess the risk / danger in the family system and identify strengths and weaknesses

 b) to be able to define the assessment protocol best suited to the situation to be assessed

 c) to be able to perform a comprehensive analysis of the difficulties revealed and the potential for change

d) to be able to define the type of intervention (psychoeducational and/or psychotherapeutic) as well as the goals, setting and methods of intervention

 e) to be able to analyse and discuss how the formal support system (inter-institutional network) contributes to the persistence or disappearance of the problem/difficulties.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1.  Concepts of risk and danger and their implications:

1.1  for the welfare and development of the child/adolescent

1.2  for the welfare and progress of the family system.

2.  Special features of the multi-assistance concept.

3.  Risk / danger assessment in family context:

3.1  evaluation objectives

3.2  assessment tools and strategies

3.3  comprehensive assessment of: i) development and needs of the child / adolescent; ii) skills and parenting skills; iii) the social network available; iv) the supporting factors and stress that the family is subject to; d) inter-institutional cooperation for information sharing and establishing intervention strategies.

4.  Intervention:

4.1  interaction between the needs of family and individual systems and types of intervention

4.2  psychoeducational interventions

4.3  psychotherapeutic interventions: i) Community Family Therapy; ii) other collaborative interventions.

Assessment Methods

Assessment
a) Development of a practical skill to be agreed between the student and the teacher – worth 10 marks, to be submitted up to a week before the end of the semester. b) Performance of three tests, worth a total of 10 marks. The student can alternatively sit an exam worth 20 marks.: 100.0%

Bibliography

Cunningham, P. B., & Henggeler, S.W. (1999). Engaging multiproblem families in treatment: Lessons learned throughout the development of multisystemic therapy. Family Process, 38,265-281.

Melo, A., & Alarcão, M. (2011). Avaliações em situações de risco e perigo para as crianças: Um roteiro organizador. Análise Psicológica, 3(XXIX),451-466.

Melo, A., & Alarcão, M. (2011). Integrated family assessment and intervention model: A collaborative approach to support multi-challenged families. Contemporary Family Therapy, 33, 400-416.DOI 10.1007/s10591-011-9168-0.

Pereira, D., & Alarcão, M. (2010). Avaliação da parentalidade no quadro da proteção à infância. Temas em Psicologia, 18, 2,499-517.

Rojano, R. (2004). The practice of community family therapy. Family Process, 43(1),59-77.

Sousa, I., Ribeiro, C., & Rodrigues, S. (2007). Are practitioners incorporating a strengths-focused approach when working with multi-problem poor families? Journal of Community Applied Social Psychology, 17,53-66.