Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effectiveness of Parent–Child Mediation in Improving Family Functioning and Reducing Adolescent Problem Behavior: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

  • Empirical Research
  • Published:
Journal of Youth and Adolescence Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Parent–child mediation programs are intended to resolve or manage disputes and improve family functioning, but rigorous evaluations of their effectiveness are lacking. Families referred to a community-based mediation program (N = 111) were randomized to an intervention or wait-list control group, and completed three surveys over a 12-week period. With the exception of parent–reported child delinquency (which decreased more in the intervention group), this evaluation provides little support for the short-term effectiveness of parent–child mediation for improving family functioning and reducing child problem behaviors in general. Given that this is the first randomized controlled trial of a parent–child mediation program, additional evaluations involving larger samples and longer follow-ups are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of this intervention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bearman, P., Jones, J., & Udry, J. (1997). The national longitudinal study of adolescent health: Research design. Retrieved from http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/design.html.

  • Beck, C., & Sales, B. (2001). Methodological limits in mediation research. In C. Beck & B. Sales (Eds.), Family mediation: Facts, myths, and future prospects (pp. 21–24). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Biglan, A., & Taylor, T. K. (2000). Increasing the use of science to improve child-rearing. Journal of Primary Prevention, 21, 207–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brook, J. S., Brook, D. W., Zhang, C. S., & Cohen, P. (2009). Pathways from adolescent parent–child conflict to substance use disorders in the fourth decade of life. American Journal on Addictions, 18(3), 235–242.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Charkoudian, L., & Bilick, M. (2015). State of knowledge: Community mediation at a crossroads. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 32(3), 233–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu, J. T. W., Bullen, P., Farruggia, S. P., Dittman, C. K., & Sanders, M. R. (2015). Parent and adolescent effects of a universal group program for the parenting of adolescents. Prevention Science, 16(4), 609–620.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Corbett, J. R., & Corbett, W. E. H. (2011). 2011 The state of community mediation. National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2030467.

  • De Goede, I. H., Branje, S. J., & Meeus, W. H. (2009). Developmental changes in adolescents’ perceptions of relationships with their parents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38(1), 75–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrlich, K. B., Dykas, M. J., & Cassidy, J. (2012). Tipping points in adolescent adjustment: Predicting social functioning from adolescents’ conflict with parents and friends. Journal of Family Psychology, 26(5), 776–783.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Flay, B. R., Biglan, A., Boruch, R. F., Castro, F. G., Gottfredson, D., Kellam, S., & Ji, P. (2005). Standards of evidence: Criteria for efficacy, effectiveness and dissemination. Prevention Science, 6(3), 151–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fondacaro, M. R., Dunkle, M. E., & Pathak, M. K. (1998). Procedural justice in resolving family disputes: A psychosocial analysis of individual and family functioning in late adolescence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 27, 101–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, C. E., Dakof, G. A., Greenbaum, P. E., & Liddle, H. A. (2010). Effectiveness of multidimensional family therapy with higher severity substance-abusing adolescents: Report from two randomized controlled trials. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(6), 885–897.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Pickrel, S. G., & Brondino, M. J. (1999). Multisystemic treatment of substance-abusing and dependent delinquents: Outcomes, treatment fidelity, and transportability. Mental Health Services Research, 1(3), 171–184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herrman, M. S., Hollett, N., Gale, J., & Foster, M. (2001). Defining mediator knowledge and skills. Negotiation Journal-on the Process of Dispute Settlement, 17(2), 139–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogue, A., Liddle, H. A., Becker, D., & Johnson-Leckrone, J. (2002). Family-based prevention counseling for high-risk young adolescents: Immediate outcomes. Journal of Community Psychology, 30(1), 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin, S. L., Flint, K. H., Kawkins, J., & Harris, W. A. (2014). Youth risk behavior surveillance–United States, 2013. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 63(Suppl 4), 1–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klahr, A. M., Rueter, M. A., McGue, M., Iacono, W. G., & Burt, S. A. (2011). The relationship between parent–child conflict and adolescent antisocial behavior: Confirming shared environmental mediation. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 39(5), 683–694.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Lam, J. (1989). Parent–adolescent mediation program: Final report. Northampton, MA: Parent–Adolescent Mediation Program.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam, J. A., Rifkin, J., & Townley, A. (1989). Reframing conflict: Implications for fairness in parent–adolescent mediation. Mediation Quarterly, 7(1), 15–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laursen, B., Coy, K. C., & Collins, W. A. (1998). Reconsidering changes in parent–child conflict across adolescence: A meta-analysis. Child Devopment, 69(3), 817–832.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luk, J. W., Farhat, T., Iannotti, R. J., & Simons-Morton, B. G. (2010). Parent–child communication and substance use among adolescents: Do father and mother communication play a different role for sons and daughters? Addictive Behaviors, 35(5), 426–431.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lundahl, B., Risser, H., & Lovejoy, M. C. (2006). A meta-analysis of parent training: Moderator and follow up effects. Clinical Psychology Review, 26, 86–104.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McCubbin, H., & Thompson, A. (1987). Family assessment inventories for research and practice. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merry, S., & Rocheleau, A. (1985). Mediation in families: A study of the children’s hearing project. Cambridge, MA: Children’s Hearing Project.

    Google Scholar 

  • Metzler, C. W., Biglan, A., Ary, D. V., & Li, F. Z. (1998). The stability and validity of early adolescents’ reports of parenting constructs. Journal of Family Psychology, 12(4), 600–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miech, R. A., Johnston, L. D., O’Malley, P. M., Bachman, J. G., & Schulenberg, J. E. (2015). Monitoring the future national survey results on drug use, 1975–2014: Volume I, Secondary school students. Ann Arbor: Institute for Social Research, The University of Michigan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moed, A., Gershoff, E. T., Eisenberg, N., Hofer, C., Losoya, S., Spinrad, T. L., & Liew, J. (2015). Parent-adolescent conflict as sequences of reciprocal negative emotion: Links with conflict resolution and adolescents’ behavior problems. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44, 1607–1622.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R., & Moos, B. (1986). Family environment scale manual (2nd ed.). Redwood City, CA: Mind Garden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morris, M. (1983). Parent–child mediation: An alternative that works. New York: Children’s Aid Society.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phear, W. P. (1985). Parent–child mediation: Four states, four models. Mediation Quarterly, 1985(7), 35–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pincock, H. (2013). Does mediation make us better? Exploring the capacity-building potential of community mediation. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 31(1), 3–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pokhrel, P., Unger, J. B., Wagner, K. D., Ritt-Olson, A., & Sussman, S. (2008). Effects of parental monitoring, parent–child communication, and parents’ expectation of the child’s acculturation on the substance use behaviors of urban, Hispanic adolescents. Journal of Ethnic Substance Abuse, 7(2), 200–213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reyno, S. M., & McGrath, P. J. (2006). Predictors of parent training efficacy for child externalizing behavior problems: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(1), 99–111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rubenstein, J. L., & Feldman, S. S. (1993). Conflict-resolution behavior in adolescent boys: Antecedents and adaptational correlates. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 3, 41–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santisteban, D. A., Coatsworth, J. D., Perez-Vidal, A., Kurtines, W. M., Schwartz, S. J., LaPerriere, A., & Szapocznik, J. (2003). Efficacy of brief strategic family therapy in modifying Hispanic adolescent behavior problems and substance use. Journal of Family Psychology, 17(1), 121–133.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schuman, E. (2002). Family therapy and family mediation. Psychology and Education, 41, 38–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, M. L. (1984). Parent–child mediation: An alternative that works. Arbitration Journal, 39(2), 25–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, M. L. (1985). Parent–child mediation: A challenge and a promise. Mediation Quarterly, 1985(7), 23–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson, D. D., & Mcbride, A. A. (1992). Family, friends, and self (FFS) assessment scales for Mexican-American youth. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 14(3), 327–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, M. (1995). Mediation for children, youth, and families: A service continuum. Mediation Quarterly, 12(3), 277–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spoth, R., Greenberg, M., & Turrisi, R. (2008). Preventive interventions addressing underage drinking: State of the evidence and steps toward public health impact. Pediatrics, 121(Suppl 4), S311–s336.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Spoth, R., Schainker, L. M., Redmond, C., Ralston, E., Yeh, H. C., & Perkins, D. F. (2015). Mixed picture of readiness for adoption of evidence-based prevention programs in communities: Exploratory surveys of State program delivery systems. American Journal of Community Psychology, 55(3–4), 253–265.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Stahler, G. J., Ducette, J. P., & Povich, E. (1990). Using mediation to prevent child maltreatment: An exploratory-study. Family Relations, 39(3), 317–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stuart, J., Fondacaro, M., Miller, S. A., Brown, V., & Brank, E. M. (2008). Procedural justice in family conflict resolution and deviant peer group involvement among adolescents: The mediating influence of peer conflict. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 674–684.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TCU Institute of Behavioral Research (2010). TCU Adol FFSFORM. Retrieved from http://ibr.tcu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/TCU-ADOL-FFS-sg.pdf.

  • Timmons, A. C., & Margolin, G. (2015). Family conflict, mood, and adolescents’ daily school problems: Moderating roles of internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Child Development, 86(1), 241–258.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tobler, A. L., & Komro, K. A. (2010). Trajectories or parental monitoring and communication and effects on drug use among urban young adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 46(6), 560–568.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Trentacosta, C. J., Criss, M. M., Shaw, D. S., Lacourse, E., Hyde, L. W., & Dishion, T. J. (2011). Antecedents and outcomes of joint trajectories of mother–son conflict and warmth during middle childhood and adolescence. Child Development, 82(5), 1676–1690.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, J. S., Edelen, M. O., Ellickson, P. L., & Klein, D. J. (2011). Running away from home: A longitudinal study of adolescent risk factors and young adult outcomes. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(5), 507–518.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, J. S., Martinez, J. F., Ellickson, P. L., & Edelen, M. O. (2008). Temporal associations of cigarette smoking with social influences, academic performance, and delinquency: A four-wave longitudinal study from ages 13 to 23. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 22(1), 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Van Ryzin, M. J., & Dishion, T. J. (2012). The impact of a family-centered intervention on the ecology of adolescent antisocial behavior: Modeling developmental sequelae and trajectories during adolescence. Developmental Psychopathology, 24(3), 1139–1155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Slyck, M. R., Newland, L. M., & Stern, M. (1992). Parent–child mediation: Integrating theory, research, and practice. Mediation Quarterly, 10(2), 193–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanassche, S., Sodermans, A. K., Matthijs, K., & Swicegood, G. (2014). The effects of family type, family relationships and parental role models on delinquency and alcohol use among Flemish adolescents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(1), 128–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vaughn, M. G., Maynard, B. R., Salas-Wright, C. P., Perron, B. E., & Abdon, A. (2013). Prevalence and correlates of truancy in the US: Results from a national sample. Journal of Adolescence, 36(4), 767–776.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wijsbroek, S. A. M., Hale, W. W., Van Doorn, M. D., Raaijmakers, Q. A. W., & Meeus, W. H. J. (2010). Is the resolution style `exiting statements’ related to adolescent problem behavior? Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 31(1), 60–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zetzel, G. W. K. (1985). In and out of the family crucible: Reflections on parent–child mediation. Mediation Quarterly, 1985(7), 47–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank Suzanne Perry of the RAND Survey Research Group for her assistance with data collection, as well as the agency and families who participated in the study.

Authors’ Contributions

JT conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination, and drafted the manuscript; ME participated in the design and interpretation of the data, and helped to draft the manuscript; WH performed the statistical analysis and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Funding

This study was funded by Grant R34DA031910 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (PI: Tucker).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA

    Joan S. Tucker & Wenjing Huang

  2. RAND Corporation, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 920, Boston, MA, 02116, USA

    Maria Orlando Edelen

Authors
  1. Joan S. Tucker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Maria Orlando Edelen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wenjing Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joan S. Tucker.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Research Involving Human Participants

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tucker, J.S., Edelen, M.O. & Huang, W. Effectiveness of Parent–Child Mediation in Improving Family Functioning and Reducing Adolescent Problem Behavior: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. J Youth Adolescence 46, 505–515 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0412-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-015-0412-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation