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Adherence to Wraparound Principles and Association with Outcomes

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Abstract

Maintaining fidelity to the principles of the Wraparound process in serving children with emotional and behavioral disorders is a high priority. However, the assumption that greater adherence to the model will yield superior outcomes has not been tested. The current study investigated associations between adherence to Wraparound principles, as assessed by the Wraparound Fidelity Index, second version (WFI), and child and family outcomes in one federally funded system-of-care site. Results demonstrated that higher fidelity was associated with better behavioral, functioning, restrictiveness of living, and satisfaction outcomes. No associations were found for several additional outcomes making interpretation difficult. Our study provides initial support for the hypothesis that maintaining fidelity to the philosophical principles of Wraparound is important to achieving outcomes. The study also provides support for the construct validity of the WFI as a service process measure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA

    Eric J. Bruns (Assistant Professor)

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

    Jesse C. Suter & Michelle M. Force (Graduate Assistant)

  3. Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

    John D. Burchard (Professor)

  4. School of Medicine, Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy, University of Washington, 146 N. Canal St., Suite 100

    Eric J. Bruns (Assistant Professor)

Authors
  1. Eric J. Bruns
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  2. Jesse C. Suter
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  3. Michelle M. Force
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  4. John D. Burchard
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Correspondence to Eric J. Bruns.

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Bruns, E.J., Suter, J.C., Force, M.M. et al. Adherence to Wraparound Principles and Association with Outcomes. J Child Fam Stud 14, 521–534 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-005-7186-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-005-7186-y

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