Search

Randomly selected samples of practicing couple therapists who were members of the American Psychological Association's Division 43 or the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy completed a survey of couple problem areas and therapeutic issues encountered in couple therapy. Therapists rated problem areas in terms of occurrence, treatment difficulty, and damaging impact. A composite of these 3 dimensions suggested that the most important problems were lack of loving feelings, power struggles, communication, extramarital affairs, and unrealistic expectations. Comparison of the findings with therapist ratings obtained by S. K. Geiss and K. D. O'Leary (1981) suggests considerable stability in presenting problems in couple therapy over the past 15 years. Therapist-generated characteristics associated with negative outcome were also identified, the most common being partners' inability or unwillingness to change and lack of commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A central postulate of the circumplex model is that moderate amounts of cohesion and adaptability are optimal for couple and family functioning; extremes are hypothesized to be detrimental. Previous family research, however, indicates that cohesion and adaptability are linearly, not curvilinearly, related to family functioning. The authors hypothesized that, among couples living in Canada (Study 1) and expatriate couples living in Nepal (Study 2), there would be linear relations between marital adjustment and both adaptability and cohesion. Participants (Study 1 N 209; Study 2 N = 187) completed the Marital Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Polynomial trend analyses confirmed that adaptability and cohesion were linearly related to marital adjustment in both samples; in contrast, analyses that were based on marital satisfaction data from Study 1 were supportive of the curvilinear hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors compared the effectiveness of video feedback to verbal feedback within the context of Milan Systemic family therapy. Ten families were randomly assigned to either the videoor verbal-feedback condition, resulting in 16 participants in each condition. Families engaged in 5 weeks of family therapy, which included either verbal or video feedback on a family interaction task. Changes from pretreatment to posttreatment were analyzed for several problem-related and family variables. Results indicated significant pretreatment-posttreatment (controlling for family) interactions for responsibility for the problem and family adaptability. Support was found for the therapeutic effects of video feedback within Milan Systemic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using transition theory, the authors surveyed 78 adolescents from stepmother and stepfather families. Simultaneous multiple regression analysis indicated that one interpersonal factor (Communication With Stepparent) and one intrapsychic factor (Self-Esteem) were the best predictors of adolescent well-being. When adolescents from stepfather families were analyzed separately from adolescents from stepmother families, Communication With the Stepfather was found to be the only significant predictor of well-being of adolescents in stepfather families, and Communication With the Custodial Parent and Self-Esteem were the only significant predictors of adolescent well-being in stepmother families. Analysis of parent and stepparent perceptions indicated no association with adolescent well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature and extent of changes in parenting and the link between parental subsystem changes and reduction in adolescent substance abuse and problem behaviors were examined in a sample of 29 parents and their drug-abusing adolescents. Participants completed 16 sessions of multidimensional family therapy. Over two thirds of the parents showed moderate to excellent improvement in parenting. Chi-square goodness-of-fit analyses revealed a statistically significant association between improvement in parenting and reduction in adolescent drug use and behavior problems. Results of this exploratory study provide qualified support for a fundamental tenet of family therapy--that change in the parental subsystem is related to improvement in the problem behavior of adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the authors examined factors that predicted dropping out of treatment among White and Black children (N = 279, ages 3-13) and among families attending outpatient treatment for externalizing problems. Multiple factors that increase the burden of participating in treatment are disproportionately distributed among minority families. Consequently, the authors predicted the rate of premature termination would be greater for Black than for White families and that the profile of factors that predicted leaving treatment early would differ. The results indicated that Black families were at greater risk and that several group-specific as well as common factors can be identified that increase risk. Predictors of dropping out can be used for early identification of families at risk and for developing strategies to better engage families in treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiple-baseline across families design examined the effects of therapist exceptions questions on rates of blaming and positive statements in 4 families that were referred to a crisis intervention unit. Following an initial baseline period of standard behavioral family therapy, the therapist began responding to families' blaming statements by inquiring about exceptions to the problems and attending only to reports of positive adolescent behavior. This exceptions questions condition continued into the 1st segment of the 2nd therapy session, after which time the therapist returned to baseline behavioral family therapy. Results revealed that blaming statements decreased and positive statements increased during the exceptions questions condition but returned to baseline levels when the therapist ceased asking for exceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the development and validation of scales to measure clients' outcome optimism, perceived progress, and self-agency related to change in problems presented in therapy. In Study I, initial confirmatory and subsequent exploratory factor analyses (N = 257) identified effort and persistence as an additional unique factor and guided selection of items to measure the 4 constructs. In Study 2, confirmatory factor analysis of the revised scales with a new sample (N = 93) confirmed the measurement model. Results of convergent and discriminant validity analyses generally were in the predicted directions. The Perceived Progress scale demonstrated criterion validity with changes in dyadic adjustment and family functioning. The Outcome Optimism and Self-Agency scales showed variability in their relationship to the Perceived Progress scale over the first 3 sessions of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nature of the authors' observational coding, both as a process and as a strategy, represents one of the clearest expressions of their philosophy of science and approach to clinical model building. They believe that there is no support for prioritizing one versus another observational coding approach. More important, they assert that a dialogue among various perspectives is essential for the knowledge base to expand and for clinical models to develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J. F. Alexander et al. (1995) provide a thoughtful and comprehensive framework for conceptualizing the process of developing, evaluating, and using observational coding systems. In this article, the authors attempt to link the framework of Alexander et al. with that proposed by F. Floyd (1989), and they discuss how observational methods may contribute to the advancement of family psychology. They discuss specific issues and recommendations that they believe will contribute to moving the field of behavioral observation forward, including, for example, the ascendance of global over microanalytic coding systems, the importance of considering effects of gender and ethnicity of coders on coding, difficulties in conducting observational research and analyzing observational data, and the persistent problem of capturing low base-rate behaviors using observational methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author recommends a systematic, context-sensitive method for using observation to increase understanding of how change actually occurs in couples and family therapy. In this method, a task analysis of in-session performances on a specific task leads to the building of a model of the change process. This approach is exemplified in the process of in-session conflict resolution in couples therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observationally based coding systems represent one major source of information regarding the process of family therapy, the nature of change mechanisms, and the necessary components of intervention manuals. In this article, the authors introduce a two-dimensional framework for organizing the diverse approaches to observational coding that currently exist. These dimensions focus on the information used in identifying the coding unit and the degree of inference involved in assigning a code (i.e., meaning) to that unit. The goal in developing this framework is to provide a common basis on which observationally based family therapy process research initiatives can be developed, compared, and integrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite convincing outcome evidence and the popularity of family therapy, little is known about how interpersonal change actually comes about in this context. To synthesize and integrate what is known and to offer recommendations for future, clinically relevant research, all published process studies on family therapy were reviewed. Included were naturalistic studies of conjoint treatment in which the focus was the in-session verbal behavior of the participants or their self-reported perceptions of actual interactions. Dating from 1963, 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. The review was organized according to 3 hierarchically ordered levels of in-session processes (L. S. Greenberg, 1986): observations of (a) speech acts, followed by studies of (b) important incidents or change episodes and (c) the therapeutic relationship. The implications of what is "known" are followed by a discussion of what is not "known" and suggested directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined how training and experience, family roles, and gender of observed family leadership affect ratings of both family and individual parent functioning, Seventy experienced therapists and 70 clinically naive individuals rated 2 videotaped family interviews. One interview demonstrated a matriarchal style of family interaction and the other demonstrated a patriarchal style. Ratings from the 2 groups of observers were compared to determine the effects of training and experience. The effects of leader gender were determined by comparing ratings of the 2 family interviews. Ratings of the mother and the father from the 2 interviews were compared to determine the effects of family roles. Results suggest that experienced observers in assessments of family functioning are vulnerable to biased views of mother-led families. In assessments of parent functioning, results suggest that although training and experience may promote more critical ratings, vulnerability to biased views of women as family leaders is not significantly affected. These findings underscore the importance of both therapists and researchers examining the role of gender in family therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to extend the understanding of how parental support relates to psychological adjustment during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood in a college sample. Ss were 175 college students who had relocated geographically on beginning college. Ss were followed for 2 years, beginning from when they were, on average, 18 years of age. Social support from both mother and father and a nonconflictual relationship between parents played an important adaptive role during the transition to young adulthood, as was hypothesized. Cross-sectional and prospective (controlling for initial sociable disposition and adjustment) structural equation models showed that initial parental support was associated with psychological adjustment 2-years later both directly and indirectly, through young adults' sociable disposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships among adolescent depressive symptoms and self-reported family cohesion, adaptability, satisfaction with family functioning, family structure, and social support received from family and friends were investigated in a sample of 93 families attending family therapy at an outpatient clinic. Results were in keeping with previous studies of nonclinical samples, in that family cohesion and family social support were inversely related to depression. In contrast to nonclinical samples, family characteristics were more strongly associated with depression among boys than among girls, and social support from friends did not act as a buffer against depression. The strongest predictor of depressive symptoms was adolescents' levels of satisfaction with the cohesiveness and adaptability in their families, suggesting the importance of subjective cognitive appraisal in the link between family functioning and depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relation between parental discipline and family functioning is well documented. Less well understood are the factors that influence parental discipline. In this study, a multidimensional model is introduced in which known correlates of negative discipline are integrated into a single conceptual framework. These correlates, which are considered to be risk factors, include traditional gender role values, parental antisocial personality characteristics, interspousal conflict, financial strain, and child gender. Separate analyses were conducted for mothers and fathers who expressed low and high levels of gender role traditionalism. Results indicate that the model does predict negative discipline in highly traditional mothers but not in other groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In examining the process of change in structural family therapy, we observed interpersonal control patterns within and across 15 sessions of inpatient treatment of a chronic anorexic family. Results showed that the primary therapist maintained a consistently active, dominant, and central position in the therapeutic system. As predicted, complementarity (Therapist one-up/Family Member one-down) was the predominant relational control pattern; with the anorexic daughter, complementarity was observed more frequently in the early and late phases of treatment than in the middle, restructuring phase. Although several hypotheses could not be adequately tested because of an unexpected low frequency of within-family interaction, there was some evidence that the therapist challenged family behaviors indicative of enmeshment and intergenerational coalitions and that changes in the family's rigid communication style may have occurred over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-generational coalitions have long been linked by some family therapists to conflict in family relationships and symptomatology in family members. The relationship between cross-generational coalitions and measures of well-being in 572 nonclinical families was explored by conducting post hoe multivariate analyses on national survey data. The results indicate modest support for triadic models of family functioning. The methodology used in the analysis, particularly the way in which the variable cross-generational coalitions was created, provides a model for how new questions can be asked about existing data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the mission, manuscript-selection procedure and people involved in the publication of the "Journal of Family Psychology," as well as information related to the American Psychological Association (APA) and about marital and family treatment research.

Defining family psychology as a science and a profession, this article presents three core components of a scientific paradigm for family psychology. The three components --an underlying systems model, an emphasis on family and therapeutic process and a commitment to theoretical and technical integration --provide conceptual and methodological guidelines for future work in family psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses major issues which have great impact on women in families and that family psychologists must address in order to deliver effective psychotherapy to distressed women. A case study of a single mother whose child is suffering from delinquent behavior is presented. Getting the trust of patients should be the first goal of family psychologists. Other issues to be addressed by psychotherapists include gender differences, family life cycle, family diversity, family structure and special health care needs of children.

Contrary to popular belief, family psychology training is being offered in a large number of doctoral programs. However, truly comprehensive training in family psychology seems unlikely to develop much further in traditional academic departments. Rather, it will emerge only in the largest and newest of doctoral programs especially in the professional schools. As a blueprint for others, a case example is presented Of what can be accomplished in a professional school. The article concludes with a mandate for the field to broaden its horizons beyond the narrow province of marital and family therapy to include preventive efforts with high-risk families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little empirical support exists for the effectiveness of reattribution techniques (e.g., reframing) in family therapy, although these techniques are often recommended as ways to reduce blame. One hundred twenty undergraduate subjects were randomly assigned to the conditions of an experimental procedure designed to elicit blaming attributions similar to those found in distressed families. Results showed that an experimental reattribution similar to a therapeutic reframe/relabel significantly reduced the intensity of blaming attributions. Although not obtained in an actual clinical context, the findings strengthen the empirical underpinnings of therapies that use a reattributional approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of frequent calls in the literature for a closer integration of family research and family therapy practice, research continues to have a relatively marginal role in the field. This article argues that although attitudes toward research may he slowly changing, a more fundamental change requires a change in the way that we train family therapists. Introducing research to family therapy trainees from the earliest stokes of their training, when they are most receptive to new ideas, can help to instill a sense of curiosity and benign skepticism and show how clinical and research thinking can form an integral whole. The article describes the development of research teaching in one family therapy training program and stresses the importance of an active involvement of trainees in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout the past Several decades clinical researchers have attempted to clarify the role of family influence in the etiology and course of alcoholism. After a brief historical overview of this literature, both of these research directions are reviewed in some detail, with an emphasis on recent empirical studies and emerging conceptualizations regarding the family alcoholism matrix. A final section of the article describes a number of important research needs, many of which are deemed relevant to the broader field of family studies of psychopathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview of the current status of research on family treatment of alcohol problems and recommendations for future directions both short and long term are provided. Illustrative studies and treatment methods are presented to show that various specific family treatment methods can be used effectively to (a) motivate an initial commitment to change in the alcoholic; (b) help stabilize the marital relationship and improvements in the alcoholic's drinking during the year after treatment entry; and (c) reduce deterioration and support maintenance of marital and drinking gains during long-term recovery. Three recommendations were made for the short-term future of studies on family treatment of alcohol problems. First, there is a need to consolidate and apply what has already been learned through replication studies of promising approaches and application of research tested methods to clinical practice. Second studies of family treatment for serious alcohol problems in alcoholism specific settings need to be broadened considerably by examining: treatment methods derived from family systems and family disease models; treatments that include children; a wider range of alcoholics with more complicated problems; patient predictors of outcome and patient treatment matching effects; and outcome domains that include functioning of individual family members, family subsystems, and the family as a unit. Third, studies need to be expanded beyond alcoholism specific treatment settings by evaluating: existing family treatment methods for serious alcohol problems in nonspecialist settings; family involvement in identification and brief intervention for mild to moderate alcohol problems; family focused primary prevention programs; and the role of alcohol in marital violence. A final recommendation for the longer-term future was that an identified area family psychology focused on "Families and Addictions" might be developed. This new area would encompass the study of the role of the family in the etiology, course, treatment and prevention of addictive behavior problems, to include problems with alcohol, drugs, smoking, and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the development of family psychology as a scientific discipline, as well as the challenges facing family psychologists. Family therapy has achieved significant popularity among contemporary clinicians. Psychologists have also gained significant position in the field of family therapy. It is noted that the establishment of the American Psychological Association was an important step toward the professionalization of family psychology. The article also looks at the diversity of psychological methods as one of the problems facing family psychologists.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one by Sara Gable, Jay Belsky and Keith Crnic about the interrelationships among marital, parental and child subsystems and another by Theodore Jacob about the study of family alcoholism.

The article discusses critical issues facing the field of marital and family psychology. The author comments that the manner through which couples handle their differences affects marital outcomes more than do differences between two couples. The development of programs that prevent family and marital conflicts are discussed. Several factors affecting longitudinal studies on the prediction of divorce and marital distress are discussed, including recruitment and section of subjects and the use of repetitive measures of marital and family functioning.

The present research examined the effects of therapist and client sex roles on the behaviors of participants in family therapy. Two-parent families (n = 34) received treatment from male (n = 17) or female (11 = 17) therapist trainees. The trainees were members of Functional Family Therapy practica at a university clinical setting. Therapist and client behaviors during the first phase of therapy were transcribed and divided into thought units. Each thought unit was classified as being either a supportive, structuring, pejorative, or non-therapy-related act. Although an initial analysis of base rates revealed no significant gender effects, a contingency analysis detected different gender-linked sequential dependencies o[ therapist and client behaviors. This analysis indicated that family members respond differently to male and female therapist behaviors. The findings also suggest that female and male therapists respond differently to client behaviors. The findings were interpreted in the context of gender and therapist role conflicts, which may be especially important in a training context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulties on interpersonal and familial functioning are significantly associated with depression in women. However, there ix a paucity of work addressing gender-sensitive marital and family therapy with depressed women. This article reviews the literature on depressed women's family functioning and discusses a gender-sensitive object-relational approach to marital and family therapy with depressed women. In work with depressed women and their families, the central themes that emerge are the imbalance in power and the lack of intimacy. Characteristic interactional patterns arc marked by negative affect, coercion, and rejection. Thus family interventions should emphasize altering family interactional patterns to promote a more adaptive balance of intimacy and power in which the depressed woman, her spouse, and affectively integrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one on the association between sleeping patterns and family types, problems and life stages, and another on public health perspectives on family interventions.

The article presents a reply from the author regarding comments raised in response to his article about family psychology. His aim was to dramatize how extrascientific factors shape the construction of scientific knowledge. He challenged the idea that men have less nurturing potential than women to redefine fathering and changing the world of parenthood. He then argues that the experience of nurturing and caring for children has the power to change the cultural construction of masculinity.