Kind IN Gezond Systeem (KINGS)

KINGS (Kind IN Gezond Systeem, a Dutch acronym for ‘Child in Healthy System) is an intensive family treatment program, developed for children with severe behavioral problems and their parents. The children and their parents have been victims of major interpersonal events, such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, neglect and bullying (physical and/or emotional). KINGS focuses on trauma processing in the child and the parents, and on increasing parenting skills. 

With this study, we tried to understand how the KINGS treatment program works and what the outcomes of treatment are. This allows us to improve the program so that other families can be served even better in the future.

It is investigated whether KINGS is effective in reducing trauma symptoms in parents and children, behavioural problems in the child, experienced pressure of upbringing, and in improving the quality of family and parenting conditions. More specifically, we examined what exactly works in KINGS: which components of the treatment model determine its effectiveness? And: which families benefit most from KINGS and why? In order to answer these questions, sub-studies were set up that focussed on (1) the target group of KINGS, (2) care activities and considerations, (3) the effectiveness of KINGS, and (4) the experiences of parents and children with KINGS. Case files are studied and parents and children (aged 8 years and older) completed questionnaires (from six months before to six months after KINGS) and shared their experiences in interviews. 

Research into the KINGS program shows that families dealing with complex and long-term issues can make meaningful progress within an intensive, family-centered treatment setting. Both parents and children reported a reduction in trauma-related symptoms, behavioral and emotional problems, parenting stress, and family issues during and after treatment. On average, these improvements were maintained up to six months after the treatment ended, although gains in parenting stress and family issues partially diminished during that period. Notably, children also showed progress even when they did not receive individual trauma treatment. At the same time, the change processes varied significantly between families, highlighting the importance of customization and flexibility.

The findings emphasize that an integrated, family-centered approach like KINGS can be valuable for families for whom previous support trajectories yielded insufficient results. It is essential to treat not just the child or the parent individually, but to approach the family as a whole. Attention to the life histories of family members is crucial, as is breaking intergenerational patterns. The results also show that sustainable change requires proper aftercare and collaboration with local support services, especially when stressors in the living environment—such as poverty or social isolation—persist. Practitioners are encouraged to address family issues in their full scope, considering both individual and systemic factors.

Lysbert Zeinstra is a remedial educationalist and educationalist and will be awarded a PhD for this research. In addition to Femy Wanders from Accare, Prof. Dr. Annemiek Harder from Erasmus University Rotterdam (Department of Orthopedagogy and Family Education) and Dr. Jana Knot-Dickscheit and Dr. Anne-Marie Huyghen from the University of Groningen (Basic Unit Orthopedagogy) are also involved in this investigation.