Effects of functional family therapy for adolescents in child welfare services on subsequent criminal charges and out-of-home placements: a randomized effectiveness trial

Abstract Objective Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based intervention targeting adolescent behavioral problems, typically within juvenile justice contexts. In Norway, FFT is implemented in child welfare services, where juvenile justice involvement is not a prerequisite. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of FFT compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in preventing subsequent criminal charges and out-of-home placement. Method This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of FFT in comparison to TAU in preventing criminal charges and out-of-home placements among 129 youths aged 11 to 18. Participants were randomly assigned to either FFT or TAU. Outcomes were measured using national registry data at 18- and 36-months post-intake. Results No significant differences were observed between the two groups on rates of criminal charges or out-of-home placements. Conclusion The findings contribute to the limited body of research on FFT in non-juvenile justice settings. These results underscore the necessity for further research to elucidate FFT’s effectiveness across diverse service contexts.