The Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Group Therapy in Ethnic Chinese School Settings: A Meta-Analysis

The effect of solution-focused approach on anger management and violent behavior in adolescents: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a solution-focused approach on anger management and violent behavior in adolescents.

METHOD

The study was an experimental and randomized controlled trial including pre-test and post-test measurements and control group. The sample of experimental (n = 24) and control groups (n = 24) of the study consisted of 48 students. A 7-session program of anger management and prevention of violent behavior based on a solution focused approach was applied to the experimental group.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between trait anger, anger in, anger out, anger control sub-dimensions and VTS scores of the experimental and control groups before the intervention (p > 0.05). In post-test and follow-up test, trait anger (23.32 ± 2.83) (21.10 ± 3.51), anger-out (14.95 ± 4.16) (15.50 ± 3.49) and the mean scores of VTS (30.77 ± 4.01) (32.80 ± 4.53) of the individuals in the experimental group were significantly lower, whereas their mean score of anger control (24.86 ± 3.62) (23.65 ± 4.44) were significantly higher than the control group.

CONCLUSION

Solution-oriented approach programs should be used by psychiatric nurses to provide anger management and reduce violence tendencies in adolescents.

Bibliometric Differences Between WEIRD and Non-WEIRD Countries in the Outcome Research on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) developed in parallel to Positive Psychology, as a type of intervention that also emphasizes the strengths and resources of clients. The aim of this study was to examine the development of outcome research on SFBT and to determine whether it is predominantly carried out in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) countries. A literature review was conducted using a bibliometric methodology, identifying: (a) authors and countries, (b) time trends, (c) language of publications; (d) and journals; (e) samples on which they were tested; (f) characteristics of interventions; and (g) main study designs. A total of 365 original outcome research articles published in scientific journals on solution-focused interventions were extracted. The results show that outcome research on SFBT has grown steadily over the last three decades. Although it started in WEIRD countries, the number of outcome research publications generated in non-WEIRD countries is now higher. There is little international collaboration and, although English is the main language of publication in WEIRD countries, English, Chinese and Parsi predominate in non-WEIRD countries. Productivity is low and most authors have only published one paper. The journals that have published the most papers have a very diverse visibility. The tested interventions are conducted both in clinical and non-clinical samples; mostly in individual and group format; face-to-face; and not only in the form of psychotherapy, but also as coaching and school interventions. Almost half of the publications are randomized controlled trials. The results confirm the wide applicability of SFBT as a single or main component of psychosocial interventions. They support the claim that solution-focused interventions are not a WEIRD practice, but a global practice.