Measuring fidelity to interventions has gained attention as children’s mental health services studies have moved from efficacy studies (i.e., those studies that have been conducted in controlled environments) to effectiveness studies (i.e., those studies being conducted in less controlled, community settings). Fidelity has been broadly defined as the degree to which an intervention is implemented as intended and there are various methodologies for measuring fidelity. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of the different methodologies for measuring fidelity. Descriptions of how fidelity has been assessed in clinical interventions and wrap-around services for children and families with emotional and behavioral disabilities will be presented and discussed. Specifically, a description of the assessment of fidelity to a school-based model of wrap-around being conducted as part of a quasi-experimental study will be presented. The relationship between fidelity and dosage effects will also be explored.
Learning Objectives: 1. During this session, faculty will discuss recent research regarding measuring fidelity to an intervention in the children’s mental health services field-based research. 2. At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to define and describe the term fidelity and it’s importance to field-based research and describe three ways in which it has been measured in the children’s mental health field
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.