Differential effectiveness of youth welfare measures: a comparative study on the effectiveness of day care measures

Single parent families not only differ from traditional families regarding socioeconomic problems and missing a parent, but also concerning the duration of using youth welfare measures, psychological problems in single parents, and the way youth welfare measures are ended. Due to different basic parameters in these two family settings, this study investigates the differential effectiveness of youth day care measures. In total, 55 children and adolescents (aged 6 to 14 years) and their parents were involved. Using axis I, II and V, ICD-10 multiaxial presentation, data on the general burden of problems, externalizing problems, emotional problems, and parenting skills were recorded before care measures began and again after they had ended. Although day care measures were very effective in both family settings, traditional families showed a significantly stronger decline of externalizing problems than single parent families, exceptions being emotional problems and burdens.