Programa de Competencia Familiar (PCF - Spain) (PCF - Spain)

The Programa de Competencia Familiar (Family Competence Program) refers to the adaptation to the Spanish context of the Strengthening Families Program, a universal multicomponent program of short duration (6 sessions) focused on improving parenting skills and reducing problematic behaviors among children and adolescents (11 to 14 years old). among children and adolescents (11 to 14 years old).
To this end, the program provides guidance on improving parenting skills relevant to raising children; it teaches social and life skills to children/adolescents, and skills aimed at improving family relationships. The program aims to improve family communication; strengthen the ability of guardians to exercise effective discipline and set constructive and assertive boundaries; and promote behavioral improvements in young people by developing a greater understanding of the negative impact of substance use, among other risk behaviors.

Impact evaluations

A quasi-experimental impact evaluation study found positive results regarding the relevance of the program for family strengthening, especially in terms of improving the following key components of parenting: resilience, involvement, family conflict, and positive parenting. The study also found high levels of adherence to the program (86.4% retention of the initial sample). The sample consisted of 16 experimental groups and 17 control groups, involving 353 parents and 289 young people [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Sánchez-Prieto, L., Orte, C., Ballester, L., & Amer, J. (2020). Can better parenting be achieved through short prevention programs? The challenge of universal prevention through Strengthening Families Program 11–14. Child and Family Social Work, 25(3), 515–525. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12717

Information source

IDB Inventory