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Videogaming rates among adolescents in the U.S. are very high. In addition, gaming disorder was recently added to the ICD-11 and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a part of the DSM-5-TR's Conditions for Further Study, suggesting increasing import in the clinical realm. This review is an up-to-date resource for clinicians treating adolescent IGD, highlighting important areas of knowledge, awareness, and skills/behaviors to consider. Given evidence from multiple systemic reviews on the important role family dynamics play related to IGD, Attachment-Based Family Therapy is presented as a model for intervention, utilizing a case study to demonstrate how it may be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing research on the utility of movies to help clients in counseling. Encanto has been used to demonstrate family relationships and generational trauma. In addition, counselors can use Encanto to help clients understand the ways that perfectionism can appear, as well as the meaning and importance of growth-fostering relationships. This article examines Encanto and its themes of perfectionism and disconnection through a relational cultural lens. Methods of incorporating the movie into counseling sessions and implications for clients are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a dearth of research examining the relationship perspectives of Latina young people, a population that reports disproportionate rates of teen dating violence (TDV). This strengths-based, qualitative study utilized critical narrative inquiry to explore Latinas' relationship perspectives through in-depth interviews. Rigorous analysis revealed participants' desire for freedom from violence/abuse, open communication, independence, and egalitarian values in relationships, while reporting relationship models and media representation as their main influences on relationship perspectives. Our findings demonstrate that although patriarchal gender norms influence romantic relationships with Latinx cultures, many participants rejected traditional gendered power dynamics that can lead to violence, providing important information for practitioners seeking to promote healthy relationships among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a tiered conceptualization of family partnership developed by the Family-Run Executive Director Leadership Association (FREDLA) with examples of strategies from the literature. This sub-study was part of an overarching systematic review project that aimed to review the literature on family partnership in relation to youth outcomes. The tiers of family partnership include family involvement (i.e. family's inclusion in their child's care); family engagement (i.e. collaboration between TRC and families); family-driven (i.e. families as full partners). This review included thirty studies (n = 23 family involvement, n = 7 family engagement, n = 0 family-driven). The most common family involvement methods were family therapy and family visits to the program, primarily, delivered face-to-face. The most common family engagement method was activities, therapies, and skill building occurring at the home with family present. Methods of measuring family partnership primarily included the use of administrative data. Implications for research and practice include the provision of research that evaluates the effects of family partnership on outcomes important in the TRC setting and the development of research-practice and family-research collaborations to increase the uptake of effective family partnering methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a global need for interventions that support the wellbeing of people living with dementia and their family care partners. Studies show that shared musical activities may achieve this. Our systematic review aimed to synthesise existing research exploring dyads' experiences of shared musical activities across a range of contexts. Method: From 31 October 2020 we searched PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL Complete, EMBASE, RILM, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses for studies published up to 14 April 2021, and hand searched five music therapy journals plus citation lists. Thirteen qualitative studies reporting on dyads' experiences and perspectives of shared musical activities across a range of settings were included. Studies with mixed populations or mixed modality interventions were excluded. We analysed the final studies using thematic synthesis, engaging in reflective discussions and reflexivity throughout. The quality of included studies was assessed using the CASP qualitative checklist. This study is registered on PROSPERO: CRD42020169360. Results: Six themes were identified from 13 studies: 1) shared musical activities support wellbeing for people living with dementia, 2) music groups become ecological systems, 3) shared musical activities are experienced differently over time, 4) shared musical activities are experienced by me and as we, 5) music is a supportive structure, and 6) the thread of connection (an overarching theme). A GRADE-CERQual assessment found moderate to high confidence in these findings. Findings informed the development of the Contextual Connection Model of Health Musicking. Conclusion: Shared musical activities foster experiences of connection for people living with dementia and their family care partners. Experiences of connection are supported through professional facilitation and the structural aspects of music, and are influenced by the setting and changes over time. These experiences of connection play a central role in supporting dyadic and individual wellbeing. These findings are largely relevant to a western cultural context; future research should seek to include more diverse cultural experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines three family therapy cases of adolescents bullying victims in South Korea. We explored factors related to the onset of bullying victimization, family factors, intervention, and therapy outcome. Findings are as follows. First, the onset-related factors included hygiene issues and hostile teachers. Second, family factors were prenatal stressors, lack of affection, communication patterns, parenting practices, and transference. Third, interventions included promoting insight and coaching communication styles. Fourth, families showed cognitive and behavioral changes. Fifth, adolescents better adjusted to school. Findings suggest therapists counseling bullying victims explore family factors and help initiate changes in communication and parenting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even with heightened scrutiny and augmented visibility of cases, the Black community continues to experience police brutality more than their racial counterparts. Previous research has highlighted the prominence of the Black family in the process of racial socialization and identity construction, and other research has reinforced the family as an influential factor in one's perception of police. However, still, there is a significant absence of communication-centered research that analyzes the issue of police brutality, especially within the Black family. This is true even though police brutality has a well-documented and long-lasting impact on the Black family. Therefore, guided by core tenets of Critical Race Theory, this qualitative study utilized interviews to analyze how interviewees from Black families communicate about police brutality. The following themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Critical Cases: family members remember Trayvon Martin and Sandra Bland, (2) Critical Incidents: communication about first-hand accounts and familial stories, and (3) Critical Conversations: stages of "the Talk." Findings from this study can be used to understand better how Black families navigate police brutality, an issue known to increase stress, trauma, and rates of race-based mortality. This study's findings can be applied to social work, family therapy, and mental health fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family relationships are protective against poor behavioral health for youth. Couple and Family Therapy (CFT) graduate programs are critical for readying the behavioral workforce to work systemically with youth and their families. This study identified the elements of a CFT masters training process that readied students to work with youth. Qualitative description with focus group interviews of three cohorts of master's students (n = 14) was used. Thematic analysis identified five themes demonstrating the primacy of early experiences for fostering safety, reflective and active training approaches, multicultural and sexuality topics, and pragmatics of talking to physicians and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution reports on the results of an uncontrolled longitudinal study investigating the effects of a Multi-Family Therapy (MFT) as treatment for adolescent Anorexia Nervosa (AN) and the role played by perceived family functioning in these effects. 150 patients (144 females) and their families took part in an MFT and were assessed at the beginning, middle, end of the therapy, as well as 6 and 12 months after the end of therapy. BMI, eating disorders symptomatology (EDI-II) and perceived family functioning (FAD) all improved over the time of MFT, and these benefits remained at both times of follow-up. Ultimately, we found that the improvement of some dimensions of family functioning (i.e., roles, communication, and general family functioning) mediated the improvement of several dimensions of symptomatology (i.e., ineffectiveness, impulsivity, social insecurity, interpersonal distrust). These observations provide further support for MFT as useful for improving mental health, weight restoration, and perceived family functioning of adolescents with AN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abusive or negligent parenting can negatively impact a child's psycho-social functioning well into adulthood. Self-healing through forgiveness of dysfunctional parents can yield intergenerational benefits, yet the process of reconciliation between children and parents through psychotherapy is rarely studied. This study aims to identify patterns and processes of reconciliation in clinical contexts. We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven Chinese adult children raised through destructive parenting who forgave and reconciled with their parents through long-term group imagery communication psychotherapy. Data were analysed using a grounded theory approach. Our findings identify a series of themes relevant to the process of reconciliation: increased differentiation of self, psychological reconciliation with forgiveness and connectedness, and relationship restoration in actual family interactions. Our findings provide implications for the development of interventions for adult children, and indicate that healing childhood trauma and achieving differentiation from families-of-origin should be prioritised to ensure successful reconciliation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dance therapy and dance theatre are innovative interventions for patients with a chronic disease such as cancer. In this pilot study we investigate both how dance theatre as a supportive intervention may influence the mental health and quality of life of male cancer survivors and how participants experience this type of intervention. We used a pre-post design with two points of measurement based on a mixed-methods approach including quantitative and qualitative data. The sample (N = 16) included male cancer survivors and men indirectly affected by cancer. The results show that the level of distress and depressive symptoms slightly improved during the project. Anxiety symptoms showed a significant reduction. The results of the interviews revealed positive effects of the dance project in terms of coping with late effects, physical strengthening, emotional disclosure and developing personal empowerment and increased self-esteem. The results are preliminary and encourage validation in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of family therapy is contingent on a thorough family assessment. Even more critical is the determination of an appropriate treatment plan. There are many differing treatment modalities, a therapist can explore and integrate to form the most effective interventions. This article will use a case study to describe the family of a little girl with ADHD, being raised in two homes by divorced parents. Their constant dispute created a chronic attachment rupture that required the blending of multiple therapeutic modalities. The therapeutic interventions of Theraplay® and structural family therapy will be described and the clinical relevance and application to this family will emphasize its value. Outcomes of this integrative approach included increased maternal insight, participation in play activities, increased ability to implement structure in the home, and behavioral changes in the child. Finally, recommendations on the importance of integrating Theraplay® with other modalities for family therapists will be highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An estimated 2.3 million individuals were incarcerated in the U.S. in 2018. This paper displays how The Tadros Theory of Change can be utilized to work with incarcerated individuals and their families. The Tadros Theory is an integrative family therapy theory comprised of a structural conceptualization of rules, roles, boundaries, and structure with narrative methods of empowerment, solution-focused goal-orientation, cultural humility, and a strengths-based approach. The Tadros Theory empowers and aids in identifying clients' positive strengths and resiliency factors. This paper adds to the literature on this theory by introducing the consideration of trauma and substance use which are both extremely prevalent when working with this population. A case application showcases that this theory can be used with an incarcerated father and his non-incarcerated partner. Barriers, clinical implications, and future directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of families, through the process of adoption, is an increasingly relevant topic in the field of mental health. Taking into consideration the growing number of adoptions in the United States (UN DESA), there is a prevalent need for a systemic approach to working with these families. This article addresses the societal need by offering Restoration Therapy as a framework for effectively assisting adoptive families in adjusting to their newly formed unit. The authors provide a brief overview of Restoration Therapy, the justification for using it with adoptive families, and a case vignette to exemplify the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incarcerated coparenting involves negotiating rules, responsibilities, and contributions while a partner is incarcerated. Using a structural family therapy lens and data from the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration, Parenting and Partnering, ordinary least squares multiple linear regression answered: Do incarcerated fathers with stronger familial ties perceive themselves to have a higher consensus of coparenting and does race/ethnicity moderate the relationship between familial ties and consensus of coparenting? Results revealed higher education, stable parents growing up, and living with their child prior to incarceration predict a higher consensus of coparenting. Race/ethnicity does not moderate relationships between familial ties and consensus of coparenting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trauma-related emotional and behavioral struggles of adopted children can affect the adoptive family system due to the emotional interdependence of families. To meet the needs of adoptive families, a two-weekend therapeutic family camp intervention was developed from an existing 2-3 week camp model for adopted children called Hope Connection®. The current study examined the preliminary effectiveness of the revised camp, Hope Connection 2.0, to address adoptive families' needs. A two-group (waitlist (n = 4 families) vs. intervention (n = 5 families)) pre-post design was used. The results indicated trending decreases in adopted children's trauma-related emotional and behavioral struggles and trending increases in parent-child relationship quality and family functioning. These findings support future research of the effectiveness of Hope Connection 2.0 to improve adoptive family outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate intervention fidelity and explore participants' experiences and potential outcomes after participating in the intervention. Using a pretest post-test pilot study, 10 parentally bereaved families completed the three-session manual-based intervention with a family therapist. Sessions were audio-recorded. Therapists completed an adherence checklist to assess fidelity. Assessments via questionnaires and interviews occurred at one month post-intervention and via questionnaires at baseline and six months post-intervention. This study showed a high level of fidelity. The study shows preliminary evidence of the intervention's capacity to improve communication and relationships in parentally bereaved families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the Bowenian construct of Self-Differentiation (SD), defined as the degree to which a person can think according to their personal beliefs while remaining emotionally connected to the family. This study examined the degree to which negative emotionality accounted for the relationship between SD and Relationship Satisfaction (RS). Emotional Cutoff (EC) emerged as the sole predictor of RS. When Trait Anxiety (TA) was entered into the model it mediated between EC and RS. We discuss the importance of treating anxiety of the individual in family therapy and that SD may best be understood when taking anxiety into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces several papers on the work and education of couple and family therapists in Turkey published within the issue.

This article aims to describe the adaptation of the evidence-based Family Bereavement Program to a Swedish context. Empirical support indicating that family communication is a protective factor for parentally bereaved children was used to motivate the focus of the intervention. Modules from the Family Bereavement Program manual were translated, culturally adapted, and modified to fit a family format. The manual for the Grief and Communication Family Support Intervention was pilot-tested with two families, which resulted in minor modifications being made to the manual. Therapists reported that they could follow the manual and adapt it to children's varying ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About 30% of children referred to child protective services each year in the US experience recurring maltreatment. Maltreatment has been linked to a myriad of negative developmental outcomes for children, such as externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Yet, few studies have examined services to prevent recurrences of maltreatment among reunified children. Utilizing data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being II (NSCAW II), the objective of this study was to investigate types of services that decreased recurrences of child maltreatment post-reunification. The sample included n = 1,168 children who were in out-of-home care at Wave One (2008) and had reunified at Wave Two (2009–2010). These children were followed for 18 months (2011–2012) to compare to those who experienced a substantiated recurrence of child maltreatment after reunification to those who did not. Survival analysis was conducted with time to recurrence as the outcome variable. Results suggest that about one in five children experienced recurrences of maltreatment during the first 18 months of reunification. Rates of parental service utilization were high (63%). Adjusting for covariates, only out-of-home prevention services (HR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.24–0.75, p <.01) was negatively associated with recurrences of maltreatment. Implications for research, practice, as well as limitations, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incarceration of a family member often has repercussions in various facets of an individual's life. In particular, the disruption of the coparenting relationship, by which parents negotiate roles, rules, responsibilities, and contributions to their shared child can be conceptualized through a Structural Family Therapy (SFT) lens. The systemic, present-oriented therapeutic approach of SFT can provide families caught in the chaos of legal turmoil, as well as a myriad of exacerbating factors (e.g., financial burdens, lack of physical presence, etc.), a means of achieving clarity and adaptability, which ultimately facilitates healthy family dynamics. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the complexities of incarcerated coparenting and display the benefits of utilizing the components and techniques of SFT to conceptualize this relationship while one parent is incarcerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature is reviewed on parent-child relationships related to youth sports, both positive and negative effects are discussed. Family systems theory is presented as a guide to understanding the relationship process occurring between parents and youth athletes. The authors propose family therapists take a more active role in assessing and discussing the parent-child relationship with regards to youth sports and, if deemed appropriate for the clients, help parents develop an encouraging process, implement reframing and boundary setting, and look at the impact of their own actions using circular causality. Implications for clinical practice and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore long-term social assistance recipients´ experiences with family group conferences (FGC). Fifteen Norwegian long-term (> 6 months) social assistance recipients whom had arranged an FGC were interviewed. There were nine men and six women, age 24–64 years. The findings show that the FGC may have therapeutic features when applied in a social service context. Three features associated with family/network therapy were found: Self-disclosure, dialogic communication and improved family relationships. The possible therapeutic function of the FGC when applied for adults is potent in a social work context, as solving family conflicts and/or improving family interaction may be a prerequisite in order to achieve other desired changes among many long-term social assistance recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) was developed as a form of family therapy. Recently, these features have blurred. This case study explores how Insoo Kim Berg interacts with multiple family members in SFBT. The results indicate that she used a circular procedure to ensure that all the family members were involved in the process. The analysis demonstrates the importance of purposeful use of language and the influence of systems theory in SFBT. SFBT provides a useful framework that enables a family therapist to work together with families to help them make the changes they want with their own strengths and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence family of origin and sexual attitudes have on perceptions of infidelity through a mediation analysis to test whether sexual attitudes mediates the relationship between family of origin attitudes and perceptions of infidelity. Results indicated that family of origin attitudes were linked with higher permissive sexual attitudes and lower perceptions of infidelity. Additionally, results indicated an indirect link between family of origin attitudes and perceptions of infidelity through sexual attitudes. These findings align with previous research examining how family of origin influences the occurrence of infidelity and provides insight to helping professionals as they address infidelity in romantic relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to explore, using first-hand accounts, adolescents' understandings of why they self-harmed, what their responses to self-harm were, and how they resisted or ceased self-harm. Secondary analysis was conducted of video-recorded family therapy sessions from the Self-harm Intervention: Family Therapy (SHIFT Trial). Recordings of 22 participants, approximately 170 hours of footage, formed the dataset. The study developed 5 core themes: (1) Distress can be difficult to convey; (2) Self-harm and suicidal ideation: a complex relationship; (3) Self-harm as a form of communication; (4) Self-harm to manage emotions; and (5) Moving forward. Self-harm was a means of communicating distress as well as managing emotions. Accounts highlighted the complex interplay between self-harm and suicidal intent. Encouragingly, many participants described being able to resist self-harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in family functioning and parental expressed emotion (EE) in parents and transition age youth (18 to 25 years old) with Anorexia Nervosa participating in Family-Based Treatment for Transition Age Youth (FBT-TAY). Further, we examined whether perceived family functioning and EE were associated with changes in eating disorder behaviour and weight in participants at end-of-treatment and three months post-treatment. Generalized estimating equations revealed that changes in family functioning significantly improved from baseline to end-of-treatment (p =.0001), and baseline to three months post-treatment (p =.0001) in parents; and from baseline to end-of-treatment (p =.011), and baseline to three months post-treatment (p =.0001) in transition age youth. The level of parental EE did not differ significantly from baseline to end-of-treatment (p =.379), or baseline to three months post-treatment (p =.185). A series of Ordinary Least Square regression models demonstrated that changes in perceived family functioning and EE were not significantly associated with changes in eating disorder behaviour and weight restoration of transition age youth at end-of-treatment and three months post-treatment. Overall, perceptions of family functioning improved during the course of FBT-TAY, but EE did not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This is the first pilot study to examine the Australian adaptation of the Strengthening Families Program (SFP), a manualised family intervention recommended internationally in evidence reviews to improve family functioning and child mental health. The study compared two versions (8 vs. 14‐session) and longitudinally evaluated outcomes for child emotional and behavioural difficulties, and parental psychological distress. Method: Fifty‐eight families from disadvantaged primary schools in regional Victoria with children 8–12 years (80.6% of initially enrolled families, 62 parents and 74 children) completed the program and evaluation measures. Measures were repeated at pre‐, post‐, and 3‐month follow‐up and included the Kessler 6, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and subscales adapted from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and Communities that Care Youth Survey. Results: The program showed significant reductions in child difficulties and parental psychological distress from pre‐ to post‐measurements that were sustained at follow‐up. Reductions in parental psychological distress were significantly associated with reductions in child difficulties at follow‐up. The 8‐ and 14‐session formats were not found to be significantly different in reducing child difficulties or parental psychological distress. Effect sizes for the Australian version were similar to those reported in previous U.S. trials. Conclusions: Findings support the feasibility and effectiveness of an Australian adaptation of the SFP. The current study is unique in identifying similar outcomes for shorter and longer versions of the intervention. It is recommended that the 8‐session Australian version is examined in a larger randomised controlled trial where children present with behavioural and emotional problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to apply Bowen family systems theory to work with families involved in the child welfare system. An overview of family systems theory is provided, and then specific tenets of Bowen family systems theory are presented. The authors highlight incidents within the child welfare setting that can be conceptualized through Bowen family therapy terms and concepts. A case study is used to highlight how this theory could be applied in practice. Furthermore, recommendations for child welfare practice and policy implications are discussed, utilizing the lens of a Bowenian family systems approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction focused theory and therapy pioneered by Don D. Jackson, MD in assessment and treatment of adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral difficulties is described. A transcript of the first interview of a successful five session treatment of a fourteen-year-old male and his family is analyzed using premises of systemic theory pioneered by Jackson and colleagues during 1950s-1960s first in Gregory Bateson's Research Team then organized into family and brief therapy approaches at the Mental Research Institute (MRI). The relevance to present day practice of Jackson's systemic conceptual logic and approach are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment theory has achieved a major influence in social work practice as a basis for research and as a foundation for clinical approaches. The contention that attachment as it is contemporarily understood is a ubiquitous phenomenon has been labeled the universality hypothesis. This hypothesis is built on three assertions—that healthy attachment is facilitated through parental sensitivity, that secure attachment is normative, and that healthy attachment leads to longitudinal competence. Critics argue that contemporary attachment theory privileges a conception of child-rearing that is fundamentally based on family structures and societal conditions that ignore the cultural practices of most of the non-Western world. Although the universality hypothesis is intended as a tool for research, this author contends that it can be used as a construct to guide culturally responsive clinical work. The article will first provide an extensive review of the debate around cross-cultural attachment and then explore its clinical implications. A brief case study of clinical work with an ultraorthodox family will be used to elucidate the author's contention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from a randomized trial in which adolescents with depressive and substance use disorders (SUD) received treatments for both disorders in either a sequenced or coordinated manner, we (a) determine the number and nature of depression response profiles through 1-year posttreatment and (b) examine whether 8 previously identified factors predict profile membership. There were 170 adolescents (M age = 16.4 years; 22% female; 28% Hispanic, 61% Non-Hispanic White) with comorbid depressive disorder/SUD randomized to one of three sequences of receiving the Adolescent Coping With Depression Course and Functional Family Therapy for SUD (depression treatment followed by SUD treatment; SUD treatment followed by depression treatment; coordinated treatment). Depression was assessed at 7 points from baseline to 1-year follow-up. A 4-class solution fit the data best, with groups labeled Mildly Depressed Responders (57.1%), Depressed Responders (18.8%), Depressed Non-Responders (12.9%), and Depressed with Recurrence (11.2%). The 4 change profiles differed on indices of all but 1 predictor (age); most differences were driven by lower scores among Mildly Depressed Responders. Profile membership was most strongly predicted by depression severity, cognitive distortions, hopelessness, and global functioning. The strongest predictor of Nonresponse was low family cohesion, whereas Recurrence was associated with hopelessness, suicide attempts, and starting treatment near the end of the school year. Most depressed adolescents experienced a positive response that was maintained. Understanding the most common profiles of depression change during and following treatment and the variables that predict change can help improve treatment outcomes and advance tailoring efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Creating Lasting Family Connections® (CLFC) program is designed to help improve relationship skills and reduce antisocial behaviors. Strader and colleagues propose that prosocial connectedness is responsible for program outcomes. We propose that the intersection of high agreeableness and low impulsivity represent an operational definition. We examined this definition in the context of a RCT with 246 men in prison reentry. CLFCFP increased the number of connected individuals. Being connected and the program independently impacted relationship skills, but no evidence was found to support the hypothesis that the program impacts would be more pronounced among those who were connected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined whether trait anxiety mediated the relationships between family patterns (differentiation of self) and quality of life. 620 Israeli students, filled out differentiation of self (DoS), trait anxiety, and quality of life questionnaires. Trait anxiety mediated the relationships between DoS and quality of life dimensions. Findings extend our understanding of the role of differentiation of self for improving quality of life when dealing with the challenges of patients suffering from high levels of anxiety. It is strongly recommended that family therapists who wish to help reduce trait anxiety and enhance quality of life should relate to specific family and parenting patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has shown a consistent negative association between increased symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans and successful functioning in family relationships. Despite compelling reasons to involve family members in the treatment of veterans, there is still a significant shortage of evidence-based programs. Multifamily therapy (MFT) is a combination of psychodynamic group therapy with systemic therapy and aims to elicit behavioral changes through the restructuring of interactional patterns in families. The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore the efficacy of MFT in a convenience sample of Dutch veterans (nine) and their family members (23) who participated in an MFT program. Four basic themes were identified in the transcripts of the semi-structured interviews: 1. stronger family bond and reduced conflict, 2. understanding PTSD and its effect on the family, 3. working with other families, and 4. suggestions for improvement of MFT. In this study, participants described angry outbursts, interpersonal withdrawals, and emotional numbing as characteristic of their daily familial experiences. After MFT, the anger outbursts and fights diminished in most cases. MFT results in more fulfilling relationships within veteran families. MFT does not decrease symptomatology but is capable of enhancing the mental health of the veteran and their family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure close adherence to the contents of a family-based cognitive-behavioural programme, and maintain a high standard of quality in its implementation, it is important that practitioners’ attitudes and beliefs regarding family skills coincide with those of the programme. This paper describes and analyses (observed) potential changes in these beliefs, after training courses held prior to the application of a prevention programme for families: the Family Competence Programme. A questionnaire was devised to examine practitioners’ beliefs regarding family skills; and completed both before and after the training course. The results point to significant changes in family dynamics, realistic expectations and active listening. Thus, it can be demonstrated that preliminary training courses promote practitioner attitudes and beliefs which are more coherent with a subsequent programme’s approach. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A number of current developments in the field potentially provide opportunities for preventative relationship and family interventions to be integrated into primary care. In this context, it is important to understand what family counselling is and how it might differ from family therapy. Thus, this paper investigates how the service of one low-intensity family counselling provider, Relate, is conceptualised and practised by counsellors on the ground. Questions about practice were posed to five focus groups of family counsellors and these were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings suggest that Relate family counselling is seen as ‘family therapy lite’, with a flexible, eclectic and integrative use of concepts and techniques within a systemic framework. Implications of this conceptualisation of family counselling for training, practice and research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article describes several barriers to widespread dissemination of manualized family-based treatments for adolescent substance use (ASU). We then offer a highly promising solution for adopting and sustaining family therapy in usual care: distilling the core practice elements of empirically validated family therapy models for ASU. We present a conceptual distillation of family therapy for ASU grounded in existing observational fidelity measures for three manualized models, a process that yielded four core elements: Family Engagement, Relational Reframing, Family Behavior Change, and Family Restructuring. We then introduce an innovative empirical method for distilling core elements that can serve as a template for rigorous distillation of other treatment approaches. Finally, we discuss how core elements can enhance family therapy services within the diverse workforce of usual care for ASU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on family therapy training and sense of coherence is lacking. Sense of coherence has been proposed as a meta-model for salutogenic family therapy. This study aims to explore the development of sense of coherence among systemic family therapist trainees in Germany over a 3-year period. The sample consisted of 66 trainees (1st year) with 55 and 43 respondents in the 2nd and 3rd years, respectively. Biographical and sense of coherence data were analyzed. Findings indicate an increase in total sense of coherence, particularly for meaningfulness. Certain subgroups developed sense of coherence and subscales more so than others. Conclusions are provided and recommendations for family theory and practice given. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We aimed to assess interpersonal relationships within Slovenian families with a child diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (proband) as compared to control families. The current study evaluated parents’ retrospective assessment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in childhood in both groups and possible predictive factors for the occurrence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. The proband parents experienced more difficulties in interpersonal relations, more often related to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms during their childhood and the proband children blamed themselves for marital conflict to a greater extent. The general functioning of families and parents’ attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in their childhood are the most significant predictive factors for the occurrence of the disorder in children. These findings stressed the appropriateness of family therapy focused on interpersonal relationships in families with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family plays an important role in health and illness, and preparing the nurses to assess and improve the family functioning and relationship based on a theoretical framework is of critical importance. This randomized controlled trial was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of Bowen system theory on marital conflict in the family nursing practice. A total of 42 couples referring to the family court of Shiraz, Iran were randomly assigned to either the intervention (receiving eight 90-minute sessions of Bowen systemic family therapy) or the control group (receiving no interventions). Outcomes were measured before, after and after one month of the follow up by marital conflict questionnaire and analyzed using repeated measure ANOVAs and t-test. The study results revealed no statistically significant differences between the study groups regarding the total marital conflict scores (t= 2.8,p= .935) or any of the seven subscales of conflict before the intervention (p> .05). However, a significant difference was observed between the two groups in this regard immediately and one month after the intervention (p< .05). The results demonstrated a significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the conflict scores and its subscales during the three study periods and groups (F= 79.43,p< .001). This study highlighted the importance of applying Bowen systemic family therapy by nurses in decreasing marital conflicts. Similar studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-ups are recommended to be conducted on the issue. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Relational ethics highlighting the role of ethics, justice, trust, and loyalty in close relationships (Boszormenyi-Nagy & Krasner, 1986) is considered as one of the most bountiful yet obscure aspects of contextual family therapy. In this article, a visual diagramming activity integrating relational ethics and genogram work is presented as an assessment and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families oftentimes struggle with issues that seem too burdensome to bear alone. In an effort to alleviate this burden, Boys Town partnered with the Nebraska Region VI Office of Mental Health to provide in-home services to families calling the Nebraska Family Helpline. Results indicate that families experienced a significant reduction in stress and were able to remain intact. Follow-up data indicate that outcomes were maintained up to twelve months after case closure. This preliminary evidence suggests that this type of early intervention can have an impact on families not involved in public systems, but who are voluntarily asking for help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As baby boomers reach retirement age, the number of older adults living in long-term care will inevitably increase. Living in long-term care often brings psychological, relational, and emotional challenges for older adults, their families, and professional care-providers. Despite these trends and associated challenges, there appears to be an underrepresentation of attention addressing the mental health care of older adults and their families in marriage and family therapy (MFT) literature. Emphasis needs to be turned to assessing the quality and effectiveness of mental health resources for older adults in residential facilities, and to filling the gap where needed services are unavailable. The current review summarizes research addressing residential care for older adults, detailing a) mental health challenges faced by residents, families, and professional care-providers, b) effective mental health treatment options, and c) how MFTs are uniquely suited to working in long-term care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of relationship dissatisfaction among Australian women during the first year after childbirth and to uncover factors affecting their relationships. Postnatal women who had given birth during the previous 12 months were invited to participate in a cross-sectional online study. A comprehensive, multisection questionnaire, as well as the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Patient Health Questionnaire - 8 (PHQ-8), were used to collect data. Responses were analyzed using SPSS for Windows. Results showed that 37.2% of the participants experienced relationship dissatisfaction. Results of the multiple logistic regression revealed that the following were significant risk factors for relationship dissatisfaction during the first postpartum year: annual income of less than AU$50,000, sexual dysfunction, and a clinical diagnosis of depression and having symptoms of depression according to the PHQ-8 scores (p < 0.05). Compared to women in a heterosexual relationship, women who were in a same-sex relationship were less likely to have relationship dissatisfaction. In addition, in the period six to 12 months postpartum, women were less likely to have relationship dissatisfaction compared to the period 5 months or less postpartum (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent theoretical and empirical evidence as well as experimental and practical highlights from 60 years of clinical practice, research, and teaching in family therapy are summarized. This summary contains recent highlights that remain in my memory more vividly than others. I shall start with selected models of Relational Competence Theory (RCT), including variations on the theme of the Deadly Drama Triangle and their workbook applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in adolescence has been increasing steadily over the past several decades. Mental health professionals frequently address NSSI solely within an individual context. Behaviorally focused therapy is the norm for treating NSSI in adolescents, but existence of the behavior as a larger manifestation of structural family problems is missing from this modality of therapy. Although short-term outcomes display a reduction or cessation of NSSI, long-term efficacy is still not proven for behaviorally focused therapies. Addressing the function of NSSI in a family context will help shift the perspective of clinicians from behavioral, individual therapy to structural family therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the progress and causes of panic disorder symptoms in a client by focusing on family culture, events, and sociocultural background. The study results revealed that the underlying cause of the client's anxiety was originated from family characteristics. The present study suggested a new perspective on panic disorder by delving into family relations and sociocultural background in Korea, such as son preference, academic background-oriented culture, and collectivism. This study intended to provide a new perspective on how the experiences within family could affect panic disorder and to propose family therapeutic method for dealing with panic disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite ongoing prevention efforts, young gay and bisexual males continue to engage in sexual behaviors that place them at disproportionately high risk for HIV infection. Parental monitoring and parent–child communication have been found to be associated with low-risk sexual behavior among heterosexual youth, but the role of family interactions for gay and bisexual male youth remains largely unexplored. To help address this gap, an exploratory study of recorded and coded interactions among 35 gay and bisexual youth and their parents was done to begin to identify which types of family interactions were associated with youth high-risk sexual behavior. Parent–son communication that was mutual and low in conflict was found to be most prevalent among youth with the fewest reported high-risk sexual behaviors. These preliminary findings, along with a case example, demonstrate how social workers can coach families to engage in productive and potentially influential interactions that reduce HIV-related sexual behaviors among young gay and bisexual males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]