Evaluation of the Prevention Program: “Strong Families: Love and Limits” in Colombia

“Strong Families” is a program developed by PAHO/WHO aimed at preventing risk behaviors in adolescents, and it is based on the Strengthening Families Program of Iowa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this program in Colombia. For this, a quasi-experimental study involving 376 families was carried out. The families that underwent the intervention attended between five and seven sessions. The groups were evaluated before the intervention and 12 and 18 months later. Intervened parents showed significant changes in parenting after the intervention. No changes were observed with respect to risk behaviors in adolescents undergoing survey and control. It is suggested to review the program to put more emphasis on the prevention of risk behaviors and to refine the proposed instruments to measure these behaviors.