This part of the project will also show how concepts drawn directly from this model can be operationalized and tested using outcome measures to determine effectiveness. Once it is determined how the model works through the process research part of the study, the final step will be to use outcome research to determine if the model does work. How these results supported or disconfirmed the theoretical concepts that emerged from the process study will be highlighted. In summary, this will be the first study of its kind in both social work and marriage and family therapy. A treatment model will be developed directly from actual clinical practice with difficult adolescents, using a qualitative process research design and then tested using outcome research.
Future plans are to publish a book and an article, as well as conduct presentations nationally.
It will take an approximately one year to complete this project.