Development of a Family Recovery Program for Out-of-Home Adolescents

Objectives The purpose of this study is to develop a counseling program for out-of-home adolescents and their parents. This program aims to bring out-of-home adolescents back to their original families, based on foundational data gathered from field experts in youth counseling and welfare. Methods To achieve this, previous studies were analyzed, and a program model was developed accordingly. An initial draft of the program was created based on validity evaluations conducted by six academic and field experts. Preliminary sessions of the pilot program were conducted in group counseling sessions for youth and family counseling sessions for youth and their parents. After analyzing participant satisfaction, the program was refined and finalized. Results The “We-FRP (We-Family Recovery Program)” was developed to facilitate smoother family communication and enhance self-esteem among family members, supporting out-of-home adolescents in returning to their families. The composition of the entire program consisted of a total of 8 sessions: 3 sessions for preparation for change, 3 sessions for change, and 2 sessions for reinforcement of change. Results from two pilot tests confirmed improved participant satisfaction, along with better communication and self-esteem in pre- and post-assessment results. Conclusions This study is meaningful in that it developed a family relationship recovery program for out-of-home adolescents and confirmed its practical field applicability. The program was shown to aid in restoring relationships between parents and adolescents, helping out-of-home adolescents reestablish positive emotional bonds with their families.