The longitudinal impact of an evidence‐based multiple family group intervention ( Amaka Amasanyufu ) on family cohesion among children in Uganda

Analysis of the cluster randomized SMART Africa‐Uganda scale‐up study (2016–2022)

Dados Bibliográficos

ID21319873
AutoresWilliam Byansi (0000-0003-2880-9357, School of Social Work Boston College Chestnut Hill Massachusetts USA, autor correspondente), Ozge Sensoy Bahar (0000-0002-7230-0438, Brown School Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis Missouri USA), Latoya A Small (0000-0002-9744-362X, University of California, Los Angeles), Latoya Small (Luskin School of Public Affairs University of California at Los Angeles Los Angeles California USA), Phionah Namatovu (0000-0001-6197-4413, International Center for Child Health and Development Field Office Masaka Uganda), Josephine Nabayinda (0000-0002-6508-2444, Brown School Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis Missouri USA), Joshua Kiyingi (0000-0001-7264-6976, Brown School Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis Missouri USA), Abel Mwebembezi (0000-0003-2425-8498, Reach the Youth Uganda Kampala Uganda), Gertrude Nakigozi (0000-0001-6193-2790, Rakai Health Sciences Program Rakai Uganda), Kimberly Hoagwood (0000-0002-9920-9896, Grossman School of Medicine New York University New York City New York USA), Mary M Mckay (0000-0003-4683-6033, Vice Provost Office Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis Missouri USA), Fred M Ssewamala (0000-0002-4849-5650, Brown School Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis Missouri USA)
Ano2024
Volume63
Fascículo4
Páginas1851-1866
Data de publicação2024-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoFamily Process (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0014-7370 • E-ISSN: 1545-5300
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/famp.13007
PMID38761066
OpenAlexW4397034436
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas56

Family functioning plays a critical role in childhood disruptive behavior disorders ( The Family Journal , 2003, 11 (1), 33–41; Research in Nursing and Health , 2016, 39 (4), 229–243). Yet, there is limited research on the impact of evidence‐based family strengthening interventions on improving family cohesion as a protective factor among children experiencing behavioral challenges. To address this gap, we analyzed data ( N = 636) from the SMART Africa‐Uganda study (2016–2022), a cluster randomized clinical trial testing an evidence‐based family‐strengthening intervention called Amaka Amasanyufu (translated as "Happy Families" in the local language). Children aged 8–13 and their caregivers were recruited from 26 public primary schools that were randomized to: (1) control condition receiving generalized psychosocial literature (10 schools), (2) intervention delivered via parent peers (eight schools), and (3) intervention delivered via community healthcare workers (eight schools). Children completed the family cohesion questionnaire at baseline, 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 6 months post‐intervention completion. The intervention effectiveness was evaluated via a three‐level logistic mixed effects model with pairwise comparisons across study conditions within each time point. Participants in the parent–peer intervention group had greater odds of being in the higher family cohesion group than participants in the control group at 8 weeks (OR = 3.24), 16 weeks (OR = 1.88) and 6 months (OR = 2.07). At 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 6 months, participants in the community health worker group had 3.98, 2.08, and 1.79 times greater odds of being in the higher family cohesion group than participants in the control group, respectively. Our findings strengthen the evidence base for Amaka Amansayufu as an effective intervention that can be utilized in SSA to improve family cohesion in families with children experiencing behavioral challenges

Group cohesiveness · Intervention (counseling) · Logistic regression · Odds · Odds ratio · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychosocial · Randomized controlled trial · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Family and Disability Support Research · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology