The 23 relational interventions delivered one-on-one showed greater reductions in participants’ externalizing behavior than those using groupbased formats.

Although group formats are often necessary for a variety of practical reasons, the evidence indicates that relational interventions using individualized services may be more effective at reducing externalizing behaviors. Because relational interventions emphasize positive and supportive relationships with the provider as a driver of change, one-on-one formats may promote or stimulate those relationships more effectively than group-based formats. Working one-on-one also means that there is greater flexibility to tailor the activities of the program more closely to the individual needs of the youth. This makes it more likely that individual problems or conditions will be a) accurately identified and b) addressed effectively.

In addition, one-on-one formats eliminate the distraction of other peers, which may increase the likelihood that youth engage fully with the intervention and with the provider. Participant responsiveness is a key dimension of successful implementation, and this may be somewhat easier to achieve in an individualized format compared to group. Greater engagement may also mean that youth are able to learn and retain the benefits of the intervention more effectively. Providers have more time to use repetition and modeling, and they can tailor activities to be more relevant to specific problems or interests.

Assess Feasibility

Program objectives..
Revisit what your program is trying to achieve and the role of group services in meeting those objectives. If you primarily use group formats, is this format a necessary step toward achieving other outcomes besides externalizing behavior?
Program structure..
Can your program’s infrastructure and staffing accommodate an individualized format? What would need to change about how your program operates?
Funding requirements..
Do funders require a group-based curriculum, or is there flexibility? Are there ways to still meet expectations for numbers served while incorporating an individualized format?
Resources.
What resources would need to be added or shifted to accommodate format changes? Would you need additional staff to continue serving the same numbers of youth?
Organizational readiness..
Engage your team for input and support. What information, development, or resources do they need to implement changes to format?
Context..
Assess where you might implement one-on-one services. Can you identify additional space that allows for privacy?

Take Action

Consider any of the following depending on the results of your feasibility assessment:

Adjust group formats. It is often necessary to use a group format. If using group sessions, discuss with your team how to structure them to create opportunities for individual attention, eliminate distractions, and minimize unstructured time. Use delivery personnel with strong skills to support the development of positive one-on-one relationships with youth participants.
Increase the amount of time spent in individualized services relative to group services, or augment current group formats with individualized formats, if feasible.
Consider prioritizing individualized services for just the youth presenting with behavior problems to help balance costs, rather than try to provide all youth with individualized services.
Identify additional funding and billing practices that might be needed to cover the costs of individualized services.
Increase the number of staff or trained volunteers as necessary. For example, connect with pro-bono counseling programs or graduate schools (e.g. social work, counseling, family therapy) in your community to add capacity, with appropriate supervision.

Breadcrumb

Incorporate Opportunities For Individualized Format

Outcome

Externalizing Behavior

Intervention Family

Relational Interventions