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The effectiveness and utility of solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) with "at-risk" junior high school students : a quasi-experimental study

Newsome, William Sean

Abstract Details

2002, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Social Work.

Considerable attention has been given to the types of support services school social workers provide to at-risk populations. School social workers across the United States have recognized the importance of interventions that empower and enhance the academic and social success of at-risk populations. As such, solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) may be well suited to at-risk populations, given the current demands placed on school social workers in providing brief, but yet effective treatment. As a pragmatic shift, SFBT focuses on strengths and solutions rather than deficits and problems (Hoyt, 1994; Berg, 1991; de Shazer, 1985), which may provide choices and options in the treatment of at-risk populations (Franklin, 2001; Corcoran, 1998). Thus, the purpose of this research was to evaluate the utility and effectiveness of SFBT with a population of at-risk junior high school students. A total of 52 subjects participated in the study: 26 in the treatment group and 26 in the comparison group. Treatment consisted of eight sessions of SFBT group counseling. All treatment participants completed assessments at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at a six-week follow-up. External assessments were gathered and completed by parents and teachers at pre-treatment and post-treatment. In addition, treatment and comparison group participants were assessed on absences and GPA, before and after SFBT. Analyses conducted between the treatment group and comparison group suggest statistical evidence for the utility and effectiveness of SFBT. Compared to pre-treatment assessments, at-risk students' in the treatment group had higher scores on social and academic scales at post-treatment and six-week follow-up. This finding was also revealed on the external assessments parents and teachers completed at pre-treatment and post-treatment. Compared to the comparison group, treatment group participants increased GPA scores between pre-treatment and post-treatment. However, no statistical trends were uncovered between the two groups on absences incurred before and after SFBT. Results are discussed in terms of implications for school social workers addressing at-risk populations as well as recommendations for further research in school systems.

Gilbert Greene (Advisor)
Denise Bronson (Committee Member)
Thomas Gregoire (Committee Member)
167 p.

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Citations

  • Newsome, W. S. (2002). The effectiveness and utility of solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) with "at-risk" junior high school students : a quasi-experimental study [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1228147830

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Newsome, William. The effectiveness and utility of solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) with "at-risk" junior high school students : a quasi-experimental study. 2002. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1228147830.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Newsome, William. "The effectiveness and utility of solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) with "at-risk" junior high school students : a quasi-experimental study." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1228147830

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)