Multifamily Therapy for Children With ADHD in Hong Kong: The Different Impacts on Fathers and Mothers

Interfamily Therapy, a multifamily therapy model settled in infant-juvenile mental health services of Havana (Cuba): A qualitative study from participants' perspectives

Interfamily therapy (IFT) is a specific model for multifamily therapy (MFT) of recent expansion in Latin American and European countries. In IFT a multifamily group becomes a community of learning where professionals and family members establish collaborative relationships and participate in dialogues. This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the participants' perspective of 14 members and ex-members of two IFT groups conducted in Infant-Juvenile Mental Health Centers in Havana (Cuba). In this study IFT was well accepted and effective, and it was perceived as beneficial due to its positive influence for participants, with benefits on a personal, family and social level. In addition, participants articulated a series of therapeutic elements of IFT that were essential to promote these benefits. In conclusion, IFT seems to be a useful therapeutic model in the treatment of children, adolescents and their families in a Cuban psychiatric setting.

Multifamily Therapy for Adolescents With School Refusal: Perspectives of the Adolescents and Their Parents

Introduction: School refusal is an important public health concern in adolescent psychiatry increasing over the past several years (5% of child and adolescent psychiatry consultations in France). Multifamily therapy has developed over 30 years. Its efficacy is validated in adult, child and adolescent psychiatry, including for children at risk of school exclusion. In this study, we aimed to explore the adolescents and their parent's experience of a multifamily therapy treatment of school refusal with a qualitative method. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study is based on an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach. We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews, participants were adolescents (n = 6) and their parents (n = 9) who experienced multifamily therapy in an adolescent department in Paris. Data analysis was performed independently by two researchers. Results: For the six families, school was a source of suffering, system paralysis and social exclusion. Families reported painful emotions and separation anxiety. For teenagers, multifamily therapy increased self-confidence and allowed group experience. For parents, it gave support and relieved from feelings of stigmatization and guilt. Parents became more aware of their adolescent's suffering and their insight. They all considered that multifamily therapy improved intra-family communication and expression of emotion. Participants highlighted the benefits of intergenerational interactions, activities, group and guidance from therapists. Discussion: Multifamily therapy uses therapeutic tools from both family therapy (joining, resonance, family competence, and metacommunication) and group therapy (use of media, identity device, and mirror reactions). Parents expect school solutions from multifamily therapy and question how psychiatric treatment can deal with school, school refusal being therefore understood as a social functioning disorder.