The Psychosocial Effects of Systemic / Family Constellation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the psychosocial effects of systemic / family constellation. The method of systemic / family constellation refers to an approach which integrates ideas from family systems therapy with elements from psychodrama. The constellations are conducted in a group based seminar-setting, each seminar lasting two days. Considering the very limited amount of empirical data on this method, the study design is a simple pre-post one with a 6-months follow-up. The study will be observational: the researchers will not manipulate who receives the intervention; instead they invite all clients (individuals from the general population) attending these therapeutic workshops run independently of the research process. Given the limited amount of evidence on this therapeutic method, special attention will be given to monitor potential adverse outcomes to establish intervention safety. It is hypothesized that participation in a family constellation seminar might decrease potential psychological symptoms and will not result in adverse outcomes.

Official Title
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The Psychosocial Effects of Systemic / Family Constellation: An Observational Follow-up Study

Conditions
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Mild to Moderate Psychopathological Symptoms

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Systemic / family constellation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Self-referred and registered for a family constellation workshop with one of the therapists (clinical psychologist / psychiatrist) who were willing to collaborate with the researchers of the present study Exclusion Criteria: Age under 18 years Currently suffers from a diagnosed mental disorder Participated actively (not merely as a representative) in a family constellation intervention in the 12 months preceding baseline assessment

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Workshop participants<br>Participants of systemic / family constellation workshops | Behavioral: Systemic / family constellation<br>* Systemic / family constellation integrates elements from psychodrama, family sculpture, and spontaneous dramatizations of intra- and interpersonal processes, while spatially visualizing family dynamics. Family constellations stimulate change through the following ways: 1) making visible the spatial arrangement of relationships within a conflictual system; 2) providing access to the insights of unrelated third parties regarding the sensations, feelings, and thoughts they experienced while representing family members within the constellation; and 3) making observable (from the outside) and experienceable (from within) the transformation of the problem constellation into the solution constellation [Hunger, Weinhold, Bornhäuser, Link, & Schweitzer, 2015].<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in scores on the Brief Symptom Inventory | A broad spectrum of psychopathological symptoms including somatization, obsession-compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism | Before, 1 month after and 6 months after the intervention | 
| Change in answers to ad hoc items developed for qualitative analysis | These items are developed by the study authors to 1) screen for any potential adverse outcomes as a result of the intervention, 2) better understand the treatment goals of individuals participating in this form of therapy and how these relate to what they perceive as the outcome of the intervention | 1 and 6 months after the intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in scores on the Experience in Personal Social Systems Questionnaire | Assessment of how the members of a personal social system experience their situation within that system. | Before, 1 month after and 6 months after the intervention | 
| Change in scores on the Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic Symptom Severity Scale (PHQ-15) | The PHQ-15 includes 15 somatic symptoms (headache, stomach pain, chest pain, dizziness, etc.) that account for more than 90% of symptoms seen in primary care (exclusive of upper respiratory symptoms) | Before, 1 month after and 6 months after the intervention | 
| Change in scores on the SCOFF | The SCOFF is a brief screener to detect increased risk for eating disorders | Before, 1 month after and 6 months after the intervention | 
| Change in scores on ad hoc items to assess behavioral and substance-related addictions | Items assess perceived problem severity with addictions | Before, 1 month after and 6 months after the intervention | 
| Change in scores on the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) | The MLQ assesses the perceived level of the presence and search for meaning in an individual's life | Before, 1 month after and 6 months after the intervention | 
| Change in scores on the World Health Organization Wellbeing Index (WBI-5) | The WBI-5 captures the general well-being of the individuals | Before, 1 month after and 6 months after the intervention |