bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CROSS‐ETHNIC FAMILY DIFFERENCES: INTERACTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF WHITE, BLACK, AND MEXICAN‐AMERICAN FAMILIES1
Authors: Hampson Robert B. , Beavers W. Robert , Hulgus Yosaf
Published: June 2007

Previous sociological and psychological research has reported differences in patterns of interaction between ethnic groupings of families; much of this literature has been confounded by methodological shortcomings and social class differences between the ethnic groups. This study utilized observational ratings of family interactions using the Beavers Interactional Scales, comparing interactional qualities of 89 White, 79 Black, and 18 Mexican‐American families. Importantly, no significant global Competence or Style differences were found between groups, but differences in theoretically important component qualities of Competence and Style generally supported previous literature and clinical reports. Implications for therapists dealing with families of different ethnic groups are also addressed.
GENDER DILEMMAS, GENDER QUESTIONS, AND THE GENDER MANTRA
Authors: Sheinberg Marcia , Penn Peggy
Published: June 2007

This paper discusses the social constructions of gender and the problematic effects of these constructions‐masculine/feminie‐on intimate attachments. It summarizes the aspect of feminist scholarship which revised the traditional developmental paradigm to include a psychology of women and cites recent infant research which re‐describes development as a process of increasingly complex forms of relatedness rather than as a progression from attachment to separation. The authors are influenced by the school of feminist revisionism which argues on behalf of the integration of male and female attributes in each person. Two clinical techniques are suggested‐“gender questions” and the “gender mantra”‐which identify the contradictions inherent in the social construction of gender and encourage alternative constructions that more adequately represent men's and women's actual psychological experience.
PLACING GENDER IN THE HEART OF MFT MASTERS PROGRAMS: TEACHING A GENDER SENSITIVE SYSTEMIC VIEW
Authors: Storm Cheryl L.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a masters level course that teaches the systemic underpinnings of the field while also addressing the feminist critique of the ideas. The goal of the course is for students to understand and adopt a gender sensitive systemic view. Students then have a systemic/gender yardstick to use as they study and evaluate MFT theories, observe client interaction, and practice.
PREDICTING DEPRESSION FROM MARITAL DISTRESS AND ATTRIBUTIONAL PROCESSES*
Authors: Heim Susan Creekmore , Snyder Douglas K.
Published: June 2007

This study examined the interaction between marital distress and spouses' attributions and expectancies regarding the marital relationship in predicting depressive symptoms in a mixed sample of 59 clinic and nonclinic couples. The best single predictor of depression for both sexes was a measure of disaffection, reflecting emotional distance and alienation in the marriage. However, prediction of wives' depression in multiple regression analyses was enhanced by measures of overt marital disharmony, attribution of causality for relationship difficulties to their own behavior, and failure to attribute difficulties to their husbands' behavior. Regression analyses accounted for 55% of the variance in wives' depression, in contrast to only 32% for husbands. Treatment implications are discussed.
THE INVISIBLE MIRROR: IN‐HOME FAMILY THERAPY AND SUPERVISION
Authors: Zarski John J. , Sand‐Pringle Chris , Greenbank Marian , Cibik Pamela
Published: June 2007

Home‐based family therapy intervention programs, designed as a preventive strategy for multi‐problem, at‐risk families, are a rapidly growing phenomenon in mental health agencies. However, a review of the literature reveals little information on clinical supervision, which is a major component of home‐based family intervention. The purpose of this article is to provide an alternative supervisory approach, in‐home supervision, for training therapists who do home‐based intervention.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RELATIONAL ETHICS SCALE*
Authors: Hargrave Terry D. , Jennings Glen , Anderson William
Published: June 2007

In order for empirical testing to be performed systematically on family therapy theories, appropriate testing instruments must be developed and validated. The purpose of this study was to develep a reliable and valid scale for measuring the related constructs of relational ethics as described in contextual family therapy (Boszormenyi‐Nagy & Krasner, 1986). Presented here is the five‐stage procedure used in development in Relational Ethics Scale, data supporting the validity and reliability of the scale, and the final version of the instrument.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND THE LEGITIMIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE
Authors: Atkinson Brent , Heath Anthony , Chenail Ronald
Published: June 2007

Reservatinos about qualitative research often center around contentions that, since qualitative methods are so subjective and uncontrolled, the results of qualitative research are not valid and reliable. While many qualitative researchers in education have attempted to improve the trustworthiness of their results by making their methods more systematic, we argue that qualitative researchers cannot establish the trustworhiness of their findings, regardles of the methods they use. Rather, the legitimization of knwoledge requires the judgement of an entire community of stakeholders. In the absence of certainty, knowledge is an ethical matter, one in which the judgement of each stakeholder must count.
ON BALANCE AND SYNERGY: FAMILY THERAPY AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH REVISITED
Authors: Moon Sidney M. , Dillon Deborah R. , Sprenkle Douglas H.
Published: June 2007

Our respondents have provided though‐provoking counterpoints to our original paper (Moon, Dillon, & Sprenkle, 1990). Our response is one of synthesis. First, we describe a continuum of social science inquiry paradigms as a framework for exploring the assumptions underlying our respective positions. Second, we address the key issues raised by our respondents. Third, we encourage balance in our research efforts and continuing dialogue. Finally we restate our basic thesis‐that qualitative research methodology has the potential to advance the science and practice of family therapy.
LEARNING ABOUT GRIEF FROM NORMAL FAMILIES: SIDS, STILLBIRTH, AND MISCARRIAGE*
Authors: DeFrain John
Published: June 2007

Family therapists can learn a great deal that would be of utility to them in their clinical work from normal families grieving over the death of an infant. When a baby dies, families begin a long and difficult journey, a search for security and meaning in a world that for them has gone insane. The researcher discusses 10 probing, extremely difficult questions family members commonly pose in the aftermath of an infant death and offers guidelines that could be helpful to family therapists hoping to be of service to families in the process of healing and growing through this tragedy.
EFFECTS OF A COMMUNICATION TRAINING COMPONENT ADDED TO AN EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED COUPLES THERAPY
Authors: James Paul S.
Published: June 2007

In this study a 4‐session communication skills training component was added to an 8‐session Emotionally Focused couples therapy package. This treatment (EFT + CT) was compared to 12 sessions of Emotionally Focused therapy (EFT) to investigate whether the communication training component enhanced the effectiveness of EFT, and both treatments were compared to a wait‐list control. Both treatments achieved superior gains at posttest compared to the control group on measures of marital adjustment and target complaint improvement (but not on intimacy and passionate love), with EFT + CT being superior on communication. The only differential treatment effect was EFT's superiority on target complaints at follow‐up.
CORRESPONDENCE OF FAMILY THERAPISTS' PERCEPTIONS WITH FRCCCS CODING RULES FOR TRIADIC INTERACTIONS
Authors: Gaul Robin , Simon Lorna , Friedlander Myrna L. , Cutler Connie , Heatherington Laurie
Published: June 2007

Family therapy theory, practice, and research across many orientations are concerned with multiperson interactional phenomena such as intercepts, disconfirmations, and indirect communications. This study reports a successful criterion validity test of the rules for coding these triadic features in the Family Relational Communication Control Coding System (FRCCCS) (Friedlander & Heatherington, 1989). Thirty‐five experienced family therapists observed two videotaped family therapy interactions and reported their perceptions of each of 25 communications. These perceptions‐the criterion‐significantly corresponded with the FRCCCS coding rules about the relational control aspects of triadic communications. Discussion focuses on the future use of the FRCCCS in research on family therapy.
REVIEWS
Authors: Piercy Fred P.
Published: June 2007

PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: White, M. & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: Beach, S. R. H., Sandeen, E. E., & O'Leary, K. D. (1990). Depression in marriage.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: Goldenberg, H. & Goldenberg, I. Counseling today's families.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: Gelcer, E., McCabe, A., & Smith‐Resnick, C. Milan family therapy: Variant and invariant methods.

PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: Plumb, G. B. & Lindley, M. E. Humanizing child custody disputes: The family's team.

GENERAL INTEREST BOOKS: Weiss, R. S. (1990). Staying the course: The emotional and social lives of men who do well at work.

SELF HELP BOOKS: Patterson, G. R. & Forgatch, M. (1987). Parents and adolescents living together: Part 1, the basics.

SELF HELP BOOKS: Forgathch, M. & Patterson, G. R. (1989). Parents and adolescents living together: Part 2, family problem solving.

SELF HELP BOOKS: Conway, J. (1990). Adult children of legal or emotional divorce: Healing your long‐term hurt.

SELF HELP BOOKS: Greteman J. & Dunne, J. (1990) When divorce happens: A guide for family and friends.

SELF HELP BOOKS: Bepko, C. & Krestan, J. (1990) Too good for her own good: Breaking free from the burden of female responsibility.

SELF HELP BOOKS: Earle R. & Crow, G. (1989). Lonely all the time: Recognizing, understanding, and overcoming sex addiction, for addicts and co‐dependents.

SELF HELP BOOKS: Vaughan, P. (1989). The monogamy myth: A new understanding of affairs and how to survive them.

VIDEOTAPE: School Problems. (1989). (Edited videotape of two sessions of Joel Bergman working with a single parent family.)

VIDEOTAPE: To Dethrone a Padrone. (1989) (Edited videotape of three sessions of Joel Bergman and Judith Morgan working with a youg man having difficulties moving into adulthood.)
NONCONFRONTIVE USE OF VIDEO PLAYBACK TO PROMOTE CHANGE IN BRIEF FAMILY THERAPY*
Authors: Ray Wendel A. , Saxon William W.
Published: June 2007

This paper describes a nonconfrontive use of video playback in brief family therapy. Replaying critical transactions from previous sessions, while maintaining a neutral and nonconfrontive therapeutic stance, encourages an atmosphere which is conducive to change. The technique allows family members to reexperience their own interactional patterns in a nonthreatening manner, enabling them to consider the meanings they attach to their family experience in different and productive ways.
THE FEMALE EXPERIENCE OF SIBLING INCEST*
Authors: Canavan Margaret M. , Meyer Walter J. , Higgs Deborah C.
Published: June 2007

The occurrence of sibling incest is underrecognized, and its impact is debated. Professionals may be inadequately sensitized to its occurrence since it is considered less traumatic to victims than other forms of incest and assigning responsibility in such contact between minors is difficult. Survivors may be unlikely to reveal such a history because of guilt and shame. Four case presentations of females who expereinced sibling incest illustrate problem areas, including issues of enforced secrecy, interpersonal power differentials, influences on sexual development, individual aftereffects, disturbance in family dynamics, and genderbased differences in relationship styles. Recommendations for identification and treatment are included.
BEYOND LINEARITY AND CIRCULARITY: DECONSTRUCTING SOCIAL SYSTEMS THEORY
Authors: Cottone R. Rocco , Greenwell Robert J.
Published: June 2007

This article attempts to clarify the concepts of linearity and circularity as applied to marital and family therapy, especially in light of the credible challenge to the concept of circular causality by feminist theorists. Distinct and theoretically legitimate meanings of linearity are defined‐proportionality, unilaterality, and temporality. Circularity is redefined into two distinct meanings‐recursivity and holicity. The two meanings of circularity are then subdivided in accord with Bateson's guiding distinction between “substance” and “form” (i.e., physical force and mental information). This reworking of systemic concepts is described as important as a means to justify reformulation of theory in the field. The article concludes with a call for continued deconstruction of social systems concepts as a means toward refinement of the systemic paradigm or as a means toward development of a new paradigm, which, in either case, should acknowledge individual and relational realities.
TRAINING THE PERSON OF THE THERAPIST IN STRUCTURAL FAMILY THERAPY
Authors: Aponte Harry J.
Published: June 2007

Structural Family Therapy needs a training model that integrates the existential, human mutuality of the therapeutic relationship with its technical elements. This paper offers a theoretical foundation for training structural family therapists in the use of self, discusses a model for training, and gives a case example illustrating personal training in a clinical context.
TREATING ADOLESCENT DRUG ABUSE: A COMPARISON OF FAMILY SYSTEMS THERAPY, GROUP THERAPY, AND FAMILY DRUG EDUCATION
Authors: Joanning Harvey , Quinn William , Thomas Frank , Mullen Robert
Published: June 2007

The differential effectiveness of three models of adolescent drug abuse treatment was assessed in a controlled outcome study. Family Systems Therapy (FST) was compared to Adolescent Group Therapy (AGT) and Family drug Educations (FDE). FST appeared to be more effective in stopping adolescent drug abuse than AGT or FDE, registering twice as many apparently drug‐free clients than FDE and three times as many as AGT. However, a number of possible confounds make this conclusion tentative. No tretment approach was superior in altering patterns of family functioning although all three conditions improved perceived intergenerational communication.
SEXUAL ATTARACTION AND ROMANTIC LOVE: FORGOTTEN VARIABLES IN MARITAL THERAPY*
Authors: Roberts Thomas W.
Published: June 2007

The purpose of this paper is to address the lack of attention in the mariage therapy literature ot romantic love and sexual attraction. Although mot coupples marry because of romantic love and tent to divorce when they “fall out of love,” few guidelines are available to therapists concerning how to deal with love as an issue in therapy. In contrast to models of marriage therapy which focus on rational skill devlopment, the model presented here is based on the assumption that marriage problems are emotional in nature and that the success of marital theapists is dependent upon skill in addressing emotional states. Based on recent findings in neurobioloy, this model contends that the affective dimension of love is precognitive and similar to the attchment between infant and parnent. By providing nonverbal and precognitive experience whithin therapy that can alter the emotional pattern of couples, therapists can increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
MAKING MULTICULTURALISM RELEVANT FOR MAJORITY CULTURE GRADUATE STUDENTS*
Authors: Preli Rona , Bernard Janine M.
Published: June 2007

The revised accreditation standards for marriage and family therapy programs (Manual on Accreditation, 1988) require that the curriculum reflect an emphasis on “issues of gender and ethnicity as they relate to marital and family therapy” (p. 13). Training approaches that are described in the professional literature tend to emphasize an understanding of ethnic minorities while deemphasizing the trainee's own ethnic and cultural roots. As such, training lacks dynamic integrity for the white, middle‐class trainee. This paper describes a rationale for addressing the ethnic and cultural background of all family therapy trainees and provides training activities to accomplish this end.
THE VOICES OF AFRICAN‐AMERICAN MFT STUDENTS: SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
Authors: Wilson Laurie L. , Stith Sandra M.
Published: June 2007

This study examined the issue of African‐American participation in MFT academic programs. Data for the study came from surveys completed by 25 of the 29 program directors of AAMFT accredited MFT programs and from 90‐minute telephone interviews with 15 of the 20 African‐American students identified by the participating directors. Results indicate that African‐American students and faculty are glaringly underrepresented in MFT master's and doctoral degree programs. For example, although African‐Americans constitute 12.2% of the United States population and 5% of all master's degree recipients in the United States, less than 1% of all MFT master's degree recipients are African‐American. Specific suggestions are offered by students and faculty for improving recruitment and retention of African‐American students and improving program sensitivity to cultural and racial issues which may impede the full integration of the African‐American student into the academic program and the profession.
COMPARING MEDICAL AND GRADUATE SCHOOL TRAINING: A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Denton Wayne H.
Published: June 2007

In this paper the author subjectively compares his experiences in medicla school, psychiatric residency training, and an AAMFT ‐accredited PhD program in marriage and family therapy. The goal is to stimulate thinking on the nature of training and professional identity. This is done by marking assumptions regarding training overt which usually go unrecognized and unchallenged, Differences and similarities between the two programs of training are high‐lighted and discussed. It is proposed that the primary objective of professional traininjg is to learn how to apply knowledge while the primary objective of graduate training is to learn how to question knowledge.
TEMPATIONS OF POWER AND CERTAINTY
Authors: Amundson Jon , Stewart Kenneth , Valentine LaNae
Published: June 2007

In our search for guiding principles out of which to conduct therapy, we encounter two temptations: temptations of power and certainty. When therapists do not adequately account for the position of our clients, we fall prey to the temptation of certainty. When we attempt to impose corrections from such certainty, we fall victim to the temptation of power. Colonization occurs in therapy when our commitment to “expert knowledge” blinds us to the experience in the room. This paper offers suggestions for sidestepping power/certainty by constrating therapies of power and certainty with therapies of curiosity and empowernment.
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS IN FRANZ KAFKA'S THE METAMORPHOSIS
Authors: Johnson Scot
Published: June 2007

Kafka's The Metamorphosis is not only a masterpiece of modern literature, but also a work that exemplifies many ideas of structural family therapy. In this essay I have examined how this novels embodies concepts such as parentified children, enhancement, intergenerational boundaries, coalitions and triangles, structural dysfunction, and structural thinking on anorexia nervosa.
POSTSTRUCTURALISM IN FAMILY THERAPY: INTERROGATING THE NARRATIVE/CONVERSATINAL MODE
Authors: Fish Vincent
Published: June 2007

The narrative/conversational mode of family therapy, based in constructivism and Batesonian cybernetics, has lately associated itself with the poststructuralism of Foucault and Derrida. The narrative/conversational models of White and Epston (1990) and de Shazer (1991) draw only selectively from Foucault and Derrida's ideas and so perpetuate the constructivist neglect of social context and power. Disregarded aspects of Foucault and Derrida's work do contribute to an under‐standing of social context and power. Poststructuralism is a dubious prop for constructivist assumptions: its true merit is in its capacity to illuminate the political/cultural context of our practice, including family therapy as a social institution.
BASIC FAMILY THERAPY SKILLS, IV: TRANSGENERATIONAL THEORIES OF FAMILY THERAPY
Authors: Nelson Thorana S. , Heilbrun Gabriella , Fegley Charles R.
Published: June 2007

This pape focuses on the basic skills and compentencies of transgenerational approaches to family therapy, the fourth report of a program of research surveys by the Basic Family Therapy Skills Project. In the first survey, a panel of family therapy educators listed the most critical or basic skills or compentencies of beginning family therapist with a transgenerational orientation. In the third survey, self‐selected respondents rated these items according to degree of importance for beginning family therapists. Rankings of the items according to mean scores of the Likert responses indicate that transgenerational family therapy skills are founded in theory and can be identified behaviorally. The most important skills are those that use the self of the therapist to understand and utilize transgenerational family therapy skills for both therapist and client. Also listed are skills that many raters deemed “generic” rather than specifically related to transgenerational family therapy. Other findings and their implications for the future training of family therapists are discusses. Although the paper is intended for family therapy educators interested in their colleagues' ideas about critical skills in trans‐generational family therapy, theorists and clinicians may also find it useful.
THE AGE ONSET OF PERSONAL AUTHORITY IN THE FAMILY SYSTEM
Authors: Lawson David , Gaushell Harper , Karst Ralph
Published: June 2007

The present research explored Williamson's position that relational patterns indicative of Personal Authority in the Family System (PAFS) occur during the fourth and early fifth decades of life. Participants were 232 university student volunteers. Individuals age 30 and above reported less triangulation with their nuclear families and less intimidation and less intimacy with their parents than the under age 30 group. These results provide some support for the view that differentiation is more clearly discernible in the fourth and fifth decades of life than in earlier years. Canonical correlations revealed that as age increases, the amount of variance accounted for by nuclear family triangulation, intergenerational intimidation, and integenerational intimacy increases, supporting Williamson's position that age is a significant factor in achieving several relational patterns indicative of PAFS.
SEVEN TYPES OF MARRIAGE: EMPIRICAL TYPOLOGY BASED ON ENRICH*
Authors: Lavee Yoav , Olson David H.
Published: June 2007

Using ENRICH, a computerized marriage assessment tool (Olson, Fournier & Druckman, 1986), data from 8,385 couples was collected across nine dimensions of their marriage. The data was analyzed in two phases—cluster structure seeking and classification phases—by three different clustering methods (inverse factor analysis, hierarchical agglomerative, and k‐means cluster analysis). Seven types of marriage were identified: Devitalized couples (40%), Financially focused couples (11%), Conflicted couples (14%), Traditional couples (10%), Balanced couples (8%), Harmonious couples (8%), and Vitalized couples (9%). The multidimensional profiles are described in relation to global measure of marital satisfaction, demographic characteristics, and clinical and research implications.
MARITAL SATISFACTION AND SOCIAL LEARNING FAMILY THERAPY FOR CHILD CONDUCT PROBLEMS: GENERALIZATION OF TREATMENT EFFECTS
Authors: Sayger Thomas V. , Horne Arthur M. , Glaser Brian A.
Published: June 2007

Successful treatment outcome and maintenance for families with aggressive children by means of social learning family therapy were reported by Sayger, Horne, Walker, and Passmore (1988). The present study examined the generalization of treatment effects to the child's classroom, the parental level of marital satisfaction, the general family relationship environment, and the parental level of depression. Results of this study show that teachers reported improved child behavior following treatment. Parental level of marital satisfaction was increased and sustained for those parents who were experiencing low levels of marital satisfaction prior to treatment. The participating families also became more cohesive and expressive, and less conflictual. Although pretreatment levels of parental depression were moderately low, these levels were alleviated.
SEPARATING COUPLES FROM RESTRAINING PATTERNS AND THE RELATIONSHIP DISCOURSE THAT SUPPORTS THEM*
Authors: Zimmerman Jeffrey L. , Dickerson Victoria C.
Published: June 2007

Using ideas from postmodern thought, a process of therapy is described in which couples are “separated” from the reciprocal patterns which have become restraining and are currently affecting the relationship. The description of the pattern is co‐created between the therapist and the couple. Once a different pattern begins to emerge, various aspects of relationship or gender discourse and their effect on the relationship are worked with as needed. To help couples break these patterns and separate from the influence of discourse which they determine to be not suitable to their own preferred descriptions, the therapist brings forth other descriptions of the people and/or the relationship which are grounded in their experience. Therapy becomes a parallel process of deconstructing patterns/discourse and restorying along preferred lines.
DIFFICULT JOURNAL ARTICLE REJECTIONS AMONG PROLIFIC FAMILY THERAPISTS: A QUALITATIVE CRITICAL INCIDENT STUDY
Authors: Piercy Fred P. , Moon Sidney M. , Bischof Gary P.
Published: June 2007

This qualitative cirtical incident study examines the reactions and coping strategies of prolific family therapy scholars to difficult journal article rejections. Participants provide suggestions for ways to increase the likelihood of publication and to decrease the negative effects of journal article rejection. We discuss the implications of this investigations for the socialization of young professionals, the improvement of the journal review process, and the study of professional issues in family therapy.
“THE STORY” OF A DEATH: THERAPEUTIC CONSIDERATIONS WITH BEREAVED FAMILIES
Authors: Sedney Mary Anne , Baker John E. , Gross Esther
Published: June 2007

Facilitating and listening to bereaved families tell “The Story” of their loss is an important component of therapeutic work with bereaved families. Following a discussion of the general functions of stories, the authors use a variety of case examples to illustrate how “The Story” can be used as an assessment device, as an initial intervention, and as a gauge of the progress of treatment. Family stories of loss are conceptualized as constructions, and the emphasis is on how individual and family context affect and are affected by these stories. Throughout the paper, particular attention is paid to ways stories canbe useful for children in families.
SCHOUTEN IN THE DARK: MISSING THE FOREST AND THE TREES
Authors: Gavin Leslie A. , Wamboldt Frederick S.
Published: June 2007

The present article is a response to a paper by Schouten in the January, 1994 issue of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy entitled, “A Scale in Search of a Construct: Comments on Gavin and Wamboldt” (Schouten, 1994) in which he comments on our 1992 paper entitled “A Reconsideration of the Family‐of‐Origin Scale” (Gavin & Wamboldt, 1992). We respond to Schouten's allegations of lack of methodological rigor and “unsubstantiated claims” (Schouten, 1994, p. 59). We systematically address ways in which Schouten has taken our work out of context, missed the essence of our study, and used faulty and/or vacuous logic in an attempt to discredit our findings. Despite the appearance of rigor in Schouten's work, closer scrutiny brings into question the contribution of Schouten's article to the field of family theory or measurement.
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH: THE IMPACT OF ILLNESS ON COUPLES' RELATIONSHIPS
Authors: Rolland John S.
Published: June 2007

When illness or disability strikes a couple's relationship, a number of significant structural and emotional skews are likely. A normative, preventive framework that addresses the special strains on couples can counteract dysfunctional relationship patterns and enhance opportunities for increased intimacy. This paper addresses key issues regarding intimacy and communication and then identifies key skews and treatment priorities to help couples rebalance their relationship. These include skews regarding (a) whose problem it is, (b) boundary issues, (c) patient‐caregiver roles, (d) togetherness/separateness, (e) psychosocial recovery, (f) cognitive impairment, (g) gender, (h) sexuality, (i) belief systems, and (j) life cycle. Particular dilemmas for gay and lesbian relationships are noted. Dealing with these skews can promote a couple's resilience in the face of loss
BOOK REVIEWS
Authors: Piercy Fred P.
Published: June 2007

Book reviewed in this article:

Professional Books: Akamatsu, T. J., Stephens, M. A. P., Hobfoll, S. E., & Crowther, J. H. (Eds.). (1992). Family health psychology.

Professional Books:Macy, J. (1991). Mutual causality in Buddhism and general systems theory.

Professional Books:McNamee, S., & Gergen, K. J. (Eds.). (1993). Therapy as social construction.

Professional Books:Grove, D. R., & Haley, J. (1993). Conversations of therapy: Popular problems and uncommon solutions.

Self‐Help Books:Barth, J. (1993). It runs in my family: Overcoming the legacy of family illness.

Self‐Help Books:Sachs, B. E. (1992). Things just haven't been the same: Making the transition from marriage to parenthood.

Self‐Help Books:Becker, M. R. (1992). Lost touch: Preparing for a parent's death.

VedioTaps:Conversation with a Blended Family: A Burning Qestion; An Interview with Harry Goolishian. (1993).

VedioTaps:Sex, Love, and Babies. (1993). (Videotape of how having a baby changes the relationship between parents).

VedioTaps:Learning Disabilities: A Parent's Guide. (1993). (Videotape of information for parents, mental health professionals, and educators regarding the process of diagnosing a learning disability and establishing an individual education program).
AGE‐OF‐RECALL EFFECTS ON FAMILY‐OF‐ORIGIN RATINGS
Authors: Hampson Robert B. , Hyman Timothy L. , Beavers W. Robert
Published: June 2007

Family rating scales, particularly those tapping one's view of family of origin, rely heavily on one's summary impressions, perceptions, and recall of the family. Previous research has demonstrated that fairly consistent age, gender, and parent/offspring differences exist in ratings of current family functioning, but little information exists on such differences in rating one's family of origin. The present study had college‐age subjects rate current family, family when they were elementary‐school age, and family when they were 16 years old. Subjects were 141 college students (93 women, 48 men) who completed the self‐Report Family Inventory (SFI) of the Beavers Systems Model of Family Functioning separately for the three specified recall periods (age 10, age 16, and current family). Significant differences were found between age‐of‐recall groups, with recall ratings from age 10 significantly more competent, cohesive, and less conflicted than those from age 16; current family ratings were intermediate. Relatively few gender by age interactions were significant. Implications for the use and interpretation of family ratings and family‐of‐origin scales are discussed.
THERE'S MORE TO COUNTING THAN MEETS THE EYE: COMMENT ON SHORTZ ET AL.
Authors: Snyder Douglas K. , Rice Janida L.
Published: June 2007

Surveys of the literature may facilitate future scholarship by identifying important conceptual developments or recent advances in empirical research. However, we suggest that Shortz, Worthington, McCollugh, DeVries, and Morrow's (1994) conclusions regarding prominent trends in marital therapy and research suffer serious limitations based on the authors' failure to consider objective indices of either journals' influence or authors' actual impact, in addition to their exclusion of nonjournal sources and use of an arbitrary method of weighting authorship. We identify alternativeapproaches to evaluating published scholarship for use in future surveys.
THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF SUPERVISORY SYSTEMS: A MODIFIED DELPHI STUDY
Authors: White Mark B. , Russell Candyce S.
Published: June 2007

Few empirical data exist to demonstrate the efficacy of marriage and family therapy (MFT) training and supervision. In order to lay the foundation for a comprehensive model of MFT supervision and faciliate supervisory precess research, variables improtant to the outcome of MFT supervision were identified. A panel of AAMFT Approved Supervisors generated 771 variables thougth to be essential to superisory outcome and rate 398 of these variables as very improtant to the outcome of MFT supervision. The variables were collapsed into five categories and further divided into 37 conceptual clusters. The existing superisory literature tht supports the results of the study and implications of the study are discussed.
IN DEFENSE OF CASE CONSULTATION: MAYBE “DEAD” SUPERVISION ISN'T DEAD AFTER ALL
Authors: McCollum Eric E. , Wetchler Joseph L.
Published: June 2007

Clinical supervision based on “raw data”—the supervisor having direct access to the therapy session via tape or live observation—has become a hallmark of family therapy training. Despite the many advantages of such an approach, it also has limitations. The case consultation approach to supervision provides a different perspective which complements raw data supervision and remedies some of the limitations of the raw data approach. This paper proposes four specific tasks that are best undertaken in case consultation sessions: understanding the “architecture” of therapy, helping trainees build theoretical models of change, understanding the clients'broader context, and understanding the student's broader context.
PROCESS, ROBLEMS, AND SOLUTIONS IN BRIEF THERAPY
Authors: Fraser J. Scott
Published: June 2007

The MRI problem‐solving and the recently popular solution‐amplifying approaches to brief therapy are described as based upon the same process point of view. A process view is described in contrast to a structural view of human interactions. It is argued that an exclusive focus on amplifying perceived solutions without clearly defining problem patterns may become a problem. Clear articulation of a therapist's assumptions about human interaction, problems, and therapeutic solutions is strongly advocated. Creativity, flexibility, effectiveness, and efficiency are likely to be by‐products of such clarity. Without it, our therapeutic zeal in searching for solutions is likely to become a problem.

A Japanese coastal village was once threatened by a tidal wave, but the wave was sighted in advance, far out on the horizon, by a lone farmer in the rice fields on the hillside above the village. At once he set fire to the fields, and the villagers who came swarming up to save their crops were saved from the flood.
A REVISION OF THE DYADIC ADJUSTMENT SCALE FOR USE WITH DISTRESSED AND NONDISTRESSED COUPLES: CONSTRUCT HIERARCHY AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCALES
Authors: Busby Dean M. , Christensen Clark , Crane D. Russell , Larson Jeffry H.
Published: June 2007

The existing research on the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) indicated that there were problems with some of the subscales and individual items. This study was designed to improve the instrument by following the standards of construct hierarchy. Through previous research and the analyses in this study, the subscales were found to contain some items that were homogeneous and others that were more heterogeneous. This problem was corrected by selecting out items that were homogeneous; 7 first‐order scales were created which were combined to creat the 3 second‐order concepts of consensus, satisfaction, and cohesion. With a sample of distressed and nondistressed couples, a series of confirmatory factor analyses was conducted. The factor analyses provided evidence for the construct validity of the new structure of the Revised DAS (RDAS) with the distressed, nondistressed, and total samples of this study, as well as with the sample from Spanier and Thompson's (1982) study. Additional analyses correlating the RDAS with another popular marital instrument provided more evidence for the construct validity of the RDAS. Criterion validity was demonstrated by discriminant analyses results. Both internal consistency and split‐half reliability estimates demonstrated that the RDAS was reliable. The result also supported dividing the RDAS into two alternative forms for use in pre‐ and posttest studies. Summary statistics for the RDAS are presented as are implications for the field of marriage and family therapy.
A REVIEW AND EVALUATION OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPIES FOR AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
Authors: Prince Stacey E. , Jacobson Neil S.
Published: June 2007

Although the efficacy of individual treatments of affective disorders has been well‐documented, there are also significant limitations to existing treatments. In the last decade attention has focused increasingley on the interpersonal context of affective illness, and on marital and family relationships in particular. As a result, a number of approaches have been developed which directly involve family members in treatment. In this article we evaluate the current status of marital and family therapies for affective illness. We begin with a discussion of several lines of research bearing on the relationships between family processes and affective illness. The available treatment outcome data evaluating the efficacy of marital and family interventions are then reviewed, with particular attention paid to predictors of treatment success and cost efficacy issues. Finally, we suggest several priorities for future research.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY THERAPIES FOR SELECTED BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS OF CHILDHOOD
Authors: Estrada Ana Ulloa , Pinsof William M.
Published: June 2007

This article reviews the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of family‐based aproaches in the treatment of selected childhood behavioral disorders. Although limitations certainly exist, family interventions have consitently improved child and, in some cases, parent functioning in families with children presenting with conduct disorder (CD) and autism. Parents and other family members also directly benefit from child‐focused interventions, gaining in knowledge, child management skills, and attitudinal improvements. Longh‐term follow‐ups indicate that CD and autistic children achieved lasting gains. Similarly, the research on attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) indicates that parent training improves child noncompliance and aggression yet does not consistently affect core symptoms of ADHD. There is no evidence that adding short‐term family interventions improves ADHD child functioning beyond improvements from the use of psychostimulant medications. Some tentative support for family involvement in the treatment of childhood anxieties and fears is reviewed, but clear conclusions await future investigations. Finally, several methodological limitations and needed areas of research are discussed.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF ADOLESCENTS WITH CONDUCT DISORDERS AND DELINQUENCY
Authors: Chamberlain Patricia , Rosicky Julie Gilbert
Published: June 2007

A literature review was conducted on recent studies using family therapy approaches to the treatment of conduct disorders in adolescents. Results from studies conducted since the Shadish et al. (1993) meta‐analysis on the effects of family and marital therapies are included. Barriers to effective treatment are identified, costs of care are discussed, and a variety of systems of care in which family interventions are embedded are reviewed.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FAMILY INTERVENTIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF PHYSICAL ILLNESS
Authors: Campbell Thomas L. , Patterson Joan M.
Published: June 2007

Although a large body of research demonstrates that the family has a powerful influence on physical health, the evidence for the effectiveness of family interventions in physical illness is less conclusive. Family therapy and other family interventions appear to be most effective in chronic childhood illnesses such as asthma and diabetes. Family interventions have also been shown to be effective in the management of some cardiovascular and neurologic disorders and for the treatment of obesity. Family therapy appears to be more effective than individual therapy for some groups of patients with anorexia nervosa. This research supports the increasingly important role of medical family therapy in the new health care system. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
CLINICAL PRACTICE PATTERNS OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS: A NATIONAL SURVEY OF THERAPISTS AND THIER CLIENTS
Authors: Doherty William J. , Simmons Deborah S.
Published: June 2007

This report presents the first national data on the mental health services provided by marriage and family therapists. A sample of 526 therapists from 15 states gave descriptive information on their training, level of experience, and professional practices, along with detailed information on recently completed cases. In addition, 429 of these therapits' clients reported on their satisfaction with treatment and their change in function. The findings indicated that marriage and family therapists treat a wide range of serious mental health and relational problems, that they do so in relatively short‐term fashion, that they use individual, couple, and family treatment modalities, that couple and family therapy are briefer than individual therapy, and that client satisfaction and functional improvement are quite high.
HIV AND FAMILY THERAPISTS' DUTY TO WARN: A LEGAL AND ETHICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: Schlossberger Eugene , Hecker Lorna
Published: June 2007

In the absence of definitive legal precedents, family therapists must decide whether to warn sexual partners of HIV‐positive clients when clients themselves refuse to do so. Deciding whether to break confidentiality reaises both legal and ethical issues. Legally, the Tarasoff ruling requires therapists to warn potential victims of illegal dangers posed by clients but does not require therapists to warn potential victims of dangers posed by their clients' legally permissible actions. unless the behavior of the seropositive client is proscribed by state law, warning the clients' partners does not fall within the scope of the Tarasoff ruling. Ethically, therapists must negotiate and adhere to a disclosure policy that balances considerations of respecting autonomy, maintaining integrity (avoiding fraud and betrayal), benefiting clients, and fostering responsibility. Some therapeutic and ethical aspects of these considerations are discussed.
THE VOICES OF CHILDREN: PREADOLESCENT CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCES IN FAMILY THERAPY
Authors: Stith Sandra M. , Rosen Karen H. , McCollum Eric E. , Coleman Jean U. , Herman Stephanie A.
Published: June 2007

Although family therapists often include children in therapy sessions, they rarely consider the child's wishes regarding participation or ask children for their impressions of therapy. In this study, 16 children between the ages of 5 and 13 who had participated in at least four family therapy sessions were interviewed to determine their perspectives on the experience. The children made it clear that they wished to be involved in a meaningful way in therapy and that they wanted to come to sessions even when they were not the focus. Feedback from these children is used to suggest ways family therapists might enhance their effectiveness with families with children.
MARITAL THERAPY AND GENDER‐LINKED FACTORS IN COMMUNICATION
Authors: O'Donohue William , Crouch Julie L.
Published: June 2007

Understanding the process of communication is important because communication is critical to all forms of psychotherapy. A proper understanding of communication is particularly important in marital therapy because communications is often a treatment target. A central question of this paper is whether or not communication training (CT) programs in marital therapy have been sufficiently sensitive to the complexities of gender in communication. A critical review of research on the role of gender in communication is presented. Existing data indicate that individuals tend to hold stereotypes of gender differences in language, but many of these purported differences have not been supported in empirical investigations. However, gender has been found to be linked to variables such as amount of conversation elicited, length of utterance, use of qualifying phrases, swearing, use of back channel cues, breaking of silences, function of tag questions, and compliment style. Numerous limitations of the empirical literature exploring gender differences in communication behavior are described. This paper advocates the development of models of communication in which gender is recognized as having significant implications.
DIFFERENT LENSES: VARIATIONS IN CLIENTS’ PERCEPTION OF FAMILY THERAPY BY RACE AND GENDER
Authors: Gregory Melissa A. , Leslie Leigh A.
Published: June 2007

Race and gender have been given extensive theoretical and clinical attention in family therapy in the last decade. However, little empirical work has focused on their effect on therapy. The present study examines the effect of clients’ race and therapists’ race and gender on male and female partners’ assessments of an initial and subsequent family/marital therapy session. One hundred twenty‐six individuals, comprising 63 heterosexual adult couples, evaluated both the first and the fourth therapy session using the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (Stiles, 1980). Results indicated a strong effect for race, with black females rating initial sessions more negatively than white females when seeing a white therapist. Black men, however, had a more positive response than white men to the initial session, regardless of the race of the therapist. Over time, these differences decreased. The results suggest not only that race and gender may contribute to differences in partners’ perceptions of the same session, but also that these differences are not static.
DEVELOPING AN IDENTITY AS A FEMINIST FAMILY THERAPIST: IMPLICATIONS FOR TRAINING
Authors: Whipple Vicky
Published: June 2007

Although feminists have profoundly influenced the field of family therapy, little has been written about the process by which these women came to identify themselves as feminist family therapists. This article reports the results of a qualitative research study that explored that process and suggests a model of feminist family therapy identity development. Implications for training programs are reveived.