Families at Risk Treating the Multiproblem Family

The role of professional services in helping the problem-ridden family endure as a viable institution is studied in this practice-oriented work which integrates family therapy and other modern approaches with the rich experience and expertise of earlier family social work. The contributions and limitations of both the earlier social work tradition and today's family therapy are examined for their particular relevance to the multi-problem family. A framework of pragmatic but potentially researchable practice principles for work with the multi-problem family, extracted from the most promising contributions of both traditions, is presented.;Beginning with a review of theoretical perspectives and problem foci in meeting the needs of the severely dysfunctional family, the authors then scrutinize social work's treatment role in an historical perspective. This is followed by a critique of some of the major descriptive and prescriptive intervention theories, juxtaposing the claims of their authors with principles of scientific theorizing including the use of empirical data to support such theories. Finally, a set of professional practice principles designed to guide future efforts to serve families in peril are identified.