The Effectiveness of Multi-systemic Family Therapy in Bullying Behavior of Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction

Multi-systemic family therapy is a type of psychotherapy that base on the assumption that all kinds of difficulties in individuals are at least partly explained by dysfunctions in the family system and other systems to which the individual belongs.

Objectives

This study examined associations between bullying behavior and family ethos, and provides data for changes after treatment with Multi-systemic family therapy-Integrative model, as a culturally sensitive approach.

Methods

Thirty-six adolescents with bullying behavior and their families were evaluated. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: Family therapy group (FT-G) and Control group (CG). The FT-G was treated with integrative model for 6 months; the focus of FT sessions was on proximity-control goals and plans, bugs in the plans, emotive, and types of relations between family members programs. The CG was treated with the same frequency as the FT-G, but with interventions consisting of a detailed survey of their mental health, adolescents’ feelings, daily routines and life events. Every month, data were collected through interviews, questionnaires, observation facilitating techniques and observations of a family play therapy.

Results

In the study participated 36 outpatient adolescents ages 14–16. Seventeen adolescents were male and 19 female (Fig. 1).

Conclusions

At baseline, 70 percent of participants met criteria for more than one of the following disorders, by ICD-10: conduct disorder, substance use, bulimia, borderline personality disorder, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Six months after the baseline measurement, there was a significant decrease in bullying behavior, substance use, smoking, excessive social media use, and anger control for the FT-G compared with the CG.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.

Fig. 1 Groups by gender in variable: How often does your parent tell you to do something, with an irritated or angry tone of voice?