A meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled experiments involving a total sample of 749 children and adolescents documented that family interventions produce a significant reduction in the risk of involvement in crime and in subsequent arrest rates after 1-3 years (standardized mean difference: -0.56) [1].
A second meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in antisocial behavior displayed by the treated adolescents compared to the control group (d = 0.25). In this case, although young individuals randomly selected to receive family-based treatment have a 60.26% chance of achieving superior outcomes compared to those in the control group, the review found evidence that these programs may not consistently produce positive effects for serious juvenile offenders, especially when delivered in the community setting [2].