Tolan, P. H. (2002). Family-focused prevention research: "Tough but tender" In H. A. Liddle, D. A. Santisteban, R. F. Levant, & J. H. Bray (Eds.), Family psychology: Science-based interventions (pp. 197-213). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/10438-010
The purpose of this chapter is to link the two areas of families and prevention and to suggest an approach to family-focused prevention that can organize and advance our knowledge and help us to express our "tender sentiments" through tough scientific standards. The chapter reviews the current typology for distinguishing level of prevention and implications for design and evaluation. Theoretical and practical characteristics that differentiate prevention from treatment interventions are then described and used to provide a framework for family-focused prevention research. The reasons for the underemphasis on family in child-oriented prevention research are discussed. Different types of family-focused intervention are then reviewed, with exemplars noted. A suggested framework for integrating these two areas is presented, including benefits and limitations of family-focused prevention research, suggested research priorities, and related design considerations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)