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Sandberg JG, Calatrava M, Andrade D, Lybbert R, Mazo S, Rodríguez-González M. Toward a culturally sensitive application of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: A qualitative study of therapists' experience using EFT in Spanish-speaking countries/cultures. FAMILY PROCESS 2024; 63:648-666. [PMID: 38433120 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to identify specific ways Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT; S. Johnson) could be adapted to better meet the needs of clients in Spanish-speaking countries throughout Europe and the Americas. The results were drawn from responses to a qualitative questionnaire regarding the experiences of learning and applying EFT; 103 therapists in 12 different countries where Spanish is spoken responded to the survey. Overall, the results suggest that the therapists surveyed consider EFT to be a "good fit" for many Spanish-speaking clients because of its focus on emotion, attachment theory, close interpersonal relationships, and model-specific interventions that match cultural values. Participants suggested a few culture-specific modifications regarding how to access and process emotion with men in therapy, translation of key EFT concepts and phrases into Spanish, and navigating the intersection of two cultural values (respeto and personalismo). Fewer modifications were suggested by therapists as they discussed application of the model than while learning it.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Calatrava
- Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Dania Andrade
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Sara Mazo
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Martiño Rodríguez-González
- Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Faculty of Education and Psychology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
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2
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Sabey AK, Lafrance A, Furrow J, Diamond G, Hughes D. A family reunion of "clinical cousins": Attachment and emotion in four family-oriented therapy models. FAMILY PROCESS 2024. [PMID: 38649331 DOI: 10.1111/famp.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Attachment theory and the science of emotion provide a strong foundation for intervention at the family system level. Four therapeutic models in particular, Attachment-Based Family Therapy, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, and Emotionally Focused Family Therapy, demonstrate how a broad and accurate view of attachment relationships and emotion can be utilized to effectively intervene for a variety of presenting problems in a relational and empathic way for all involved. This paper continues a conversation that began at the Summit for Attachment and Emotion in Family Therapy in 2021 and aims to foster openness, collaboration, and affirmation between four different models of family therapy with shared theoretical roots. The presenters at the Summit and the authors of this paper view similarities across these models as validating and differences as opportunities to serve more families in unique ways, learning from one another's creativity to promote healing within families in the most effective and efficient ways possible. The paper frames the value of attachment theory and emotion science for family therapy, discusses the importance of learning from a variety of models with shared theoretical roots, presents brief summaries of the four models presented at the Summit, compares the models for similarities and complementarities, and shares highlights from each of the presenters from the Summit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen K Sabey
- The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | | | - James Furrow
- School of Arts and Sciences, Seattle University, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Guy Diamond
- Pearlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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3
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Van Vlierberghe L, Diamond G, Bosmans G. Middle childhood attachment-based family therapy: Theory and model description. FAMILY PROCESS 2023; 62:1040-1054. [PMID: 37070348 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
In middle childhood, the first manifestations of mental health problems can emerge and become a precursor of mental health issues in adolescence. Given that weak parent-child attachment can contribute to this distress, it is possible that strengthening the attachment bond could reduce risk trajectory. Unfortunately, evidence-based attachment-focused interventions are lacking at this age. Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) is a well-studied intervention for troubled adolescents and has the potential to be extended downward to children. However, ABFT for adolescents focuses on mentalization and trauma conversation strategies that may be developmentally advanced for children's capacities. Therefore, we modified the intervention strategies to be more developmentally sensitive to childhood. Middle childhood ABFT (MCABFT) builds on the theory that insecure attachment develops through a learning process that can be interrupted and reorganized to promote secure attachment development. MCABFT uses less conversation and more play and puts parents more at the center of the therapy compared with ABFT for adolescents. In this article, we describe MCABFT's theoretical and clinical model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leen Van Vlierberghe
- Clinical Psychology Research Group, KULeuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Diamond
- Center for Family Intervention Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Guy Bosmans
- Clinical Psychology Research Group, KULeuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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Tseng CF, Miller DL, Huerta P, PettyJohn ME, Yzaguirre MM, Agundez JC, Wittenborn AK. Recruitment strategies in couple intervention studies: A systematic review of recruitment methods and sample characteristics in the United States from 2015 to 2020. FAMILY PROCESS 2023; 62:880-898. [PMID: 37086013 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Including diverse participants in couple intervention studies is critical for developing an evidence base that informs best practices for all potential clients. Research has shown that subgroups of clients respond differently to different interventions and that interventions that have been adapted to fit the needs of a given population are more effective than non-adapted interventions. Unfortunately, couple intervention samples often exclude participants with marginalized identities and culturally adapted couple intervention research is limited. The lack of information about best practices for diverse client subgroups perpetuates mental and relational health disparities. We conducted a systematic review to examine recruitment strategies and sampling characteristics of diverse races/ethnicities, incomes, ages, and sexual identities. We reviewed articles published between January 2015 and December 2020. Articles were eligible for inclusion in our review if they implemented an intervention with couples in the United States. Of 4054 articles identified, 54 articles were eligible for our review. Findings suggest that couple intervention studies lack diversity across multiple identity domains (i.e., races/ethnicities, incomes, ages, and sexual identities). Further, descriptions of recruitment strategies are often vague, limiting opportunities to better understand methods used to recruit diverse samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Fang Tseng
- Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Debra L Miller
- Community Mental Health for Central Michigan, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA
| | - Patricia Huerta
- Human Development and Family Science, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA
| | - Morgan E PettyJohn
- Center for Violence Prevention, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Melissa M Yzaguirre
- Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - J C Agundez
- Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Andrea K Wittenborn
- Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
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Darwiche J, Antonietti JP, Nunes CE, Favez N, Liekmeier E, de Roten Y. Couple therapy with parents: Results from a pragmatic randomized controlled trial testing the Integrative Brief Systemic Intervention (IBSI). JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2023; 49:351-369. [PMID: 36542777 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the Integrative Brief Systemic Intervention (IBSI), combining therapeutic work on marital and coparenting relationships with brief systemic therapy (BST-as-usual) for parent couples. Couples were randomly assigned to the IBSI (n = 51) or BST (n = 50). Both treatments were six-session interventions and lasted about 6 months. Questionnaires on individual, marital, coparenting and family-related functioning were completed before and after therapy, and at 6-month follow-up. A significant improvement in all areas of functioning was observed after treatment and maintained at follow-up for both IBSI and BST-as-usual treatments. No significant differences in outcomes were found between the treatments. Additionally, women reported more distress overall than men, and this distress was reduced more significantly after therapy. Last, BST-as-usual couples requested more additional sessions compared to IBSI couples. This study extends the literature on couple therapy with parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle Darwiche
- Family and Development Research Center, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Philippe Antonietti
- Family and Development Research Center, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cindy Eira Nunes
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Favez
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Science, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Esther Liekmeier
- Family and Development Research Center, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yves de Roten
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychotherapy, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Parra-Cardona R, Vanderziel A, Fuentes-Balderrama J. The impact of a parent-based prevention intervention on Mexican-descent youths' perceptions of harm associated with drug use: Differential intervention effects for male and female youths. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2023; 49:370-393. [PMID: 36617375 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Parent training (PT) interventions reduce the likelihood of youth problematic behaviors, including drug use. However, the dissemination of culturally adapted PT interventions in low-income Latina/o immigrant communities remains scarce. In this selective prevention study, we examined the extent to which exposure to CAPAS-Youth, a culturally adapted version of the PT intervention known as GenerationPMTO© , resulted in increased adolescent perception of harm associated with use of alcohol and other drugs. In a randomized controlled trial with 71 Latina/o immigrant families (95% of parents self-identified as Mexican origin, n = 98), 37 families were allocated to the CAPAS-Youth intervention condition versus wait-list control (n = 34 families). According to adolescents' reports at intervention completion, significant increased levels of perceived harm associated with drug use were found for female youths, but not for males. Differential results indicate the importance of tailoring PT prevention interventions according to youths' sex differences (i.e., males vs. females).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén Parra-Cardona
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Alyssa Vanderziel
- Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Leth‐Nissen AB, Fentz HN, Stadler G, Trillingsgaard TL. A randomized controlled trial of a 5-year marriage checkup booster session for a subsample of responder couples. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2023; 49:49-73. [PMID: 36153652 PMCID: PMC10087138 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study examined maintenance and booster effects of a brief couple intervention, the Marriage Checkup (MC), across 5 years. A subsample of 63 couples who benefitted from two previous MCs (responder couples), were randomly assigned to a third MC or control. Before randomization (at 4-years-9-months), the responder sample had maintained small to medium effects on two measures of relationship functioning. After randomization, we found no significant between-group effects. Yet, within-group analyses revealed that while control couples showed flat trajectories in all outcomes after the 4-year-9-months baseline, couples receiving a third MC (at Year 5) reported small to medium improvements in three measures of relationship functioning and maintained follow-up effect in one measure. Findings indicate that couples who initially improved from the MC can maintain some of their improvements over long periods. The potential of boosting such improvements with recurrent MCs is a relevant target for further investigation in larger samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanne N. Fentz
- The Department of Psychology and Behavioural SciencesAarhus UniversityAarhusDenmark
| | - Gertraud Stadler
- Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CC1 Health & Human SciencesGender in MedicineBerlinGermany
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Refining the Meta-Theory of Common Factors in Couple and Family Therapy: a Deductive Qualitative Analysis Study. CONTEMPORARY FAMILY THERAPY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10591-022-09648-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Anderson SR, Glebova T. Introduction to the special section-Bigger isn't always better: The benefits of small-sample research designs. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2022; 48:957-960. [PMID: 35781724 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Tatiana Glebova
- California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University, Alhambra, California, USA
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10
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Lebow JL. The impact of couple and family interventions. FAMILY PROCESS 2022; 61:453-455. [PMID: 35655393 DOI: 10.1111/famp.12778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jay L Lebow
- Family Process and Family Institute at Northwestern, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
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Dwanyen L, Holtrop K, Parra-Cardona R. Reducing mental health disparities among racially and ethnically diverse populations: A review of couple and family intervention research methods (2010-2019). JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2022; 48:346-365. [PMID: 34854480 PMCID: PMC10460517 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Racially and ethnically diverse and globally underserved populations continue to experience mental health disparities. The goal of this review was to examine the extent to which diverse populations were included in couple and family intervention research over the past decade and whether these studies were conducted with attention to issues of diversity. We performed a review of 271 articles reviewed in the current special issue on the efficacy and effectiveness of couple and family interventions across 11 mental health topics. Overall, only 68 of the 271 (25%) articles included predominately racial/ethnic minority samples or globally underserved populations. Among articles (n = 60) describing US-based research with racial/ethnic minority samples, there was a pattern of inattention to methodological considerations relevant to diverse populations. Although some progress was noted, more research is necessary. Specifically, we call for research that advances social justice by using critically conscious methods to promote mental health equity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lekie Dwanyen
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Kendal Holtrop
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Ruben Parra-Cardona
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
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