Faculty publication spotlight: Looking Critically at Functional Family Therapy

This new research from Julia H. Littell, Therese D. Pigott, Karianne H. Nilsen, Jennifer Roberts, and Travis K. Labrum explores the effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy for youth with behavioral problems. 

In their new paper, ‘Functional Family Therapy for families of youth (age 11–18) with behaviour problems: A systematic review and meta‐analysis’, Julia H. Littell, Therese D. Pigott, Karianne H. Nilsen, Jennifer Roberts, and Travis K. Labrum show how the data on the effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is limited and inconclusive. Although proponents of this approach argue that it is far more effective and less expensive than other interventions, the authors of this study highlight how the current data on FFT is incomplete and prone to bias. 

Key Insights: 

  • There is insufficient evidence to assess the effects of FFT compared with other treatments. 
  • Estimates of the effectiveness of FFT—as well as its cost effectiveness—appear to be inflated by reporting biases. 

Read Functional Family Therapy for families of youth (age 11–18) with behaviour problems: A systematic review and meta‐analysis by Julia H. Littell, Therese D. Pigott, Karianne H. Nilsen, Jennifer Roberts, and Travis K. Labrum