The outcome of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy among foster care adolescents: The changes of behavior and perceived somatic and cognitive difficulties

ObjectiveTo evaluate the outcome of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy as an individual intervention among foster care adolescents using “traditional” methods of between-group comparison as well as analysis at individual level by assessing reliable and clinically significant change.Material and methodsThe research was conducted at seven foster care homes in Lithuania. Treatment (age average 14.6) and control groups consisted of 46 adolescents each. Control group was similar to the treatment group considering gender, age and pre-treatment evaluation of behavior and perceived somatic and cognitive difficulties. Participants could attend a maximum of 5 sessions. Post-treatment evaluation was conducted 6 weeks after the pre-treatment evaluation. Behavior and perceived somatic and cognitive difficulties were assessed using Standardized Interview for the Evaluation of Adolescents' Problems. The outcome of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy was assessed using the following statistical methods: between group comparisons; effect size (Cohen d with Hedges adjustment), reliable and clinically significant change methods proposed by Jacobson and Truax (1991).ResultsBetween-group comparisons revealed that Solution-Focused Brief Therapy is an effective method for reaching positive changes in the area of behavior difficulties among foster care adolescents. 31% of treatment group adolescents reached reliable and clinically significant change in the area of behavior and 29% in the area of perceived somatic and cognitive difficulties. Also, the issue of the necessity of the quantitative criteria allowing decision making about the effectiveness of the treatment at the individual level, when using reliable and clinically significant change method, was raised in the article.

Research Highlights
► Outcome of SFBT in foster care is analyzed at group and individual levels.
► Findings extend knowledge on SFBT effectiveness in foster care on individual level.
► Criteria for decision on effectiveness of therapy at individual level are needed.
► Results show benefit of SFBT in foster care both on group and individual levels.