Integrating family-based interventions into specialty court programs: qualitative guidance from sex trafficking specialty court participants and their supportive family members

BACKGROUND: The intersection of sex trade involvement and substance use disorder is a deeply complex and tragic issue for many women, as decades of research reflect that traditional substance use treatment modalities often fail to meet many of these women's unique needs. Sex trafficking specialty court programs constitute a unique and promising avenue to deliver evidence-based practices to treat substance use disorders and to support health and well-being among this largely service disconnected and marginalized population. A growing body of evidence suggests these specialty court programs may be strengthened by the inclusion of family-based interventions. A critical preliminary step to the potential integration of family interventions is the development of processes to identify and engage supportive family members, as well as guidelines on discerning which family members' inclusion is likely to be beneficial versus detrimental. The current study provides direct insights from sex trafficking specialty court participants and their family members regarding family involvement within specialty court treatment programming and potential family therapy services. METHODS: Fifteen family dyads consisting of one sex trafficking specialty court program participant paired with a supportive family member (identified by program participants) were invited to participate in interviews exploring best practices for identifying and engaging supportive family members in sex trafficking specialty court programming. Inductive Content Analysis was used to analyze interview transcript data. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: (1) characteristics and dynamics within familial relationships; (2) selection criteria for family members to be invited to participate; (3) barriers to successful family participation; and (4) perceptions of family therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides insights to inform efforts to engage family supports through the development and integration of family interventions that may bolster substance use treatment success among sex trafficking specialty court participants.