1. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 VIII. Research in Family Therapy Power Point presentation prepared by Leslie Barnes-Young, PhD, Francis Marion University “This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of program.”

2. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 How effective is family therapy? It appears to be as effective as individual therapies. Research is sparse; after all, the field is young. It’s likely that different family therapy approaches work for different types of families and problems.

3. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 For Instance, The efficacy of family therapy is most clearly established for –Marital problems –Adolescent delinquency –Substance abuse

4. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 In contrast, Family therapy approaches have not been supported for –Depression –Chronic eating disorders –ADHD

5. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 Couples therapy… Is more effective than individual therapy for relationship problems: –Particularly for depressed women

6. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 What makes family therapists effective? They tend to be active and in charge, They use a wide range of interventions, They conduct therapy in a warm, nonthreatening atmosphere, There is mutual respect and admiration

7. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 Directions for future research: We know little about how clients behave when therapy is effective. We know little about how interventions differentially affect family members. We know little about how gender, SES, and cultural diversity affect the process of treatment.

8. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 Noted Friedlander (2001) “The concept of family is changing rapidly, perhaps more so in our culture than in our theories or research.”

9. Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2003 To learn more about families: Visit the Administration for Children & Families– http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/