Participant Satisfaction, Feasibility and Self-Reported Responsiveness of a Telehealth, Mindfulness-Augmented Strengthening Families Program to Prevent Mental Health and Substance Use Problems in Adolescents

Mental health and substance use problems in adolescents are a major public health concern, and innovative prevention efforts are needed to reach adolescents and their families. Family-based prevention programs target both parents and children or adolescents to support positive parent-child relationships, parenting skills and adolescent behavior in order to foster future youth development free from mental health and substance use problems. The present study aims to assess participant satisfaction, feasibility and self-reported responsiveness regarding two new German versions of the family-based universal prevention program Iowa Strengthening Families Program (SFP 10–14). As a novelty, both versions were delivered via a telehealth approach. As a further innovation, one version included young adolescent- and parent-directed mindfulness-based prevention content that was integrated into the original program. Using mindfulness as a tool to improve parenting skills and emotion regulation in young adolescents was considered promising in reducing adolescents’ risk for future problems. Data were collected from n = 82 young adolescents and n = 114 parents and included feedback on satisfaction and feasibility, specifically regarding the telehealth delivery and mindfulness aspects. In addition, they rated perceived changes over the course of intervention participation. Parents reported that telehealth delivery was feasible and that they were mostly satisfied with their participation, young adolescents gave mixed responses regarding their satisfaction with intervention effects. Participants also reported functional changes in behavior and, in the mindfulness-augmented version mindfulness in everyday life. Qualitative feedback suggested that telehealth approaches to family-based prevention could benefit from allowing more time for participants to socialize. Substantial sample with families (n = 82 young adolescents and n = 114 parents) participating in a telehealth version of the Strengthening Families Program in Germany. Inclusion of a mindfulness-augmented telehealth version of the Strengthening Families Program in comparison to the original program version. Mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data on participant satisfaction, feasibility, responsiveness and experiences. Results offer insight into the feasibility of the approach while giving a balanced view on advantages and disadvantages of a telehealth implementation.