USING FOCUS GROUPS TO GUIDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PARENTING PROGRAM FOR DIFFICULT-TO-REACH, HIGH-RISK FAMILIES

Fifty-three parents of center-city families were interviewed in focus groups to obtain information about encouraging participation of difficult-to-reach families in an intervention designed to prevent mental problems and alcohol and substance abuse in children. Mothers and fathers expressed widely different beliefs, indicating that interventions might target mothers and fathers separately. Participants also emphasized involving both parents and children in intervention programs. Focus groups were an efficient, inexpensive method of obtaining information for the recruitment and retention of difficult-to-reach families for intervention, particularly information about unique needs and concerns of specific neighborhoods.