What is it about?
This study looked at the Brazilian version of the Strengthening Families Program, called Famílias Fortes (FF-BR 10–14). The program brings together parents and their children (aged 10–14) for seven weekly sessions that focus on communication, rules, and skills to handle stress and family conflict. Researchers followed 805 families across 12 cities in Brazil for two years. They compared families who took part in the program with families who did not. The results showed that the program did not reduce drug or alcohol use among adolescents in the two years after participation. However, it did improve several important family and parenting outcomes. Parents who joined the program were less likely to use a negligent parenting style or to binge drink, and they became better at setting clear rules about drug use. Adolescents in the program also developed stronger skills to manage stress and resolve family conflicts. These findings suggest that Famílias Fortes may not directly stop adolescents from trying substances, but it strengthens the family environment and helps build protective skills for both parents and children. Over time, these changes may still support healthier choices and reduce risks.
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Why is it important?
Adolescence is when many young people first experiment with alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs, and early use can have lifelong health consequences. Families play a central role in protecting adolescents, but many parents lack support to set rules, manage stress, and strengthen communication. This study shows that family-based programs like Famílias Fortes can improve parenting and reduce harmful behaviors such as binge drinking among caregivers. Even though the program did not directly prevent substance use in teens over two years, it built stronger family relationships and skills that are well known to protect youth in the long run. Strengthening families is therefore a key part of public health strategies to reduce risks for both generations.
Perspectives
This study adds to a global discussion on how to best support families and prevent substance use in young people. While Famílias Fortes did not reduce adolescent drug use directly, it improved parenting practices and reduced risky behaviors among caregivers—important outcomes in their own right. These findings suggest two directions for the future: Adaptation matters. Programs originally designed in other countries may need deeper cultural adjustments to truly engage Brazilian families and adolescents. Family skills are prevention. Strengthening communication, clear rules, and stress management may be the foundation for long-term protection, even if immediate effects on substance use are not visible. Investing in family-based prevention remains essential. By refining content and delivery, Brazil and other countries in Latin America could enhance the impact of programs like Famílias Fortes and give both parents and adolescents stronger tools to face everyday challenges.
SHEILA CAETANO
Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Does the Brazilian version of the strengthening families program (Familias Fortes) reduce adolescent substance use and change parental behavior? Evidence from a 2-year follow-up study, BMC Public Health, March 2025, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-21338-x.
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