Evidence-Based Programs
STRIVE (Support to Reunite, Involve & Value Each Other)
Overview of the Intervention
STRIVE is a five-session family-based intervention intended to reduce sexual risk behaviors, substance use, and delinquency among youth (ages 12-17 years) who have recently run away from home. The five sessions require participation from both the adolescent and at least one parent, and are designed in part to improve family functioning and reduce family conflict. They are delivered individually to each family by a trained facilitator, either in a community setting or in the family’s home. The intervention is grounded in cognitive-behavioral and family systems theories and stresses the importance of establishing a positive family climate to reduce the risk of chronic homelessness and associated adolescent risk behaviors.
Intervention Components
Component 1: Individual Sessions
The five intervention sessions are delivered individually to each family on a weekly basis. Each session lasts 90 to 120 minutes and involves a series of interactive, semi-structured tasks. The topics covered are as follows:
Theoretical Framework
Study Citation: Milburn, N. G., Iribarren, F. J., Rice, E., Lightfoot, M., Solorio, R., Rotheram-Borus, M., Desmond, K., Lee, A., Alexander, K., Maresca, K., Eastmen, K., Arnold, E. M., & Duan, N. (2012). A family intervention to reduce sexual risk behavior, substance use, and delinquency among newly homeless youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 50(4), 358–364.
Study setting: Community settings in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, California.
Study Sample: 151 newly homeless adolescents ages 12 to 17 years and their families
Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Newly homeless adolescents were recruited on a rolling basis over a three-year period through community-based organizations and study flyers and advertisements. About half were randomly selected to receive the STRIVE intervention and half were selected for a control group that received only referral services. Surveys were administered before the intervention (baseline) and at follow-ups conducted 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention.
Study Rating: The study met the review criteria for a moderate study rating. It did not meet the review criteria for a high study rating because it had high sample attrition.
Study Findings:
Twelve months after the intervention:
Findings from the three- and six-month follow-ups were not considered for the review because they did not meet the review evidence standards. Specifically, both the three- and six-month follow-ups had a high rate of sample attrition, and the study did not establish baseline equivalence for the remaining sample members.
The study also examined program impacts on measures of substance use and delinquent behaviors. Findings for these outcomes were not considered for this review because the outcomes fell outside the scope of the review.
Curriculum Materials
A detailed description of the intervention sessions and a list of materials required are available in the STRIVE facilitator manual.
Training and TA: The intervention sessions are administered by trained STRIVE facilitators.