Psychogenic Encopresis: A Family Therapy Approach.

A review of the literature on encopresis reveals that many theorists propose various aspects o f family dynamics as being significant etiological factors in encopresis. However, the predominant treatment modality discussed in the literature is the behavioral approach. In an effort to devise a treatment approach that takes into account the dynamics of the family of the encopretic child, the senior author has devised an approach based upon the strategic systems theory of Jay Hale), (1976). Initial research efforts using this approach have shown encouraging results and suggest the importance of further practice and research from this framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]