Efficacy of System Constellations in a General Population

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of system constellations in a monocentric, single-masked randomized controlled trial. The method of system constellations 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 three days. Based on the model of a general psychotherapy and the consistency theory, the effects of system constellations on psychological functioning are explored. It is predicted that participation in a system constellation seminar changes the level of psychological functioning at 4 months.

Official Title
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Randomized Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of System Constellations on Psychological Well-being in a General Population Based Sample

Conditions
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Psychological Well-being

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: system constellations seminar
* Behavioral: system constellations seminar


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: agreement to participate in a 3-day system constellations seminar agreement to be randomized into treatment group or control group (waiting condition) agreement not to participate in another system constellation seminar until completion of study Exclusion Criteria: acute suicidal tendency acute psychotic episode acute drug or alcohol intoxication

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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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: system constellations seminar (exp. group)<br>Study participants randomized to this group receive the intervention (system constellation seminar) 4 months prior to the control group | Behavioral: system constellations seminar<br>* individual-centered intervention in a group setting, duration 3 days<br>|
| Experimental: system constellations seminar (control group)<br>Study participants randomized to this group receive the intervention (system constellations seminar) 4 months after the experimental group. | Behavioral: system constellations seminar<br>* individual-centered intervention in a group setting, duration 3 days<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from Baseline in psychological well-being at 2 weeks and four months | Psychological well-being will be assessed using the 'Outcome Questionnaire' in its German version (EB-45). The EB-45 is a brief 45-item self report outcome/tracking instrument designed for repeated measurement of client progress through the course of psychotherapy and following termination. The scales of the EB-45 measure symptom distress, interpersonal functioning, and social role. | Baseline, day of treatment, 2 weeks after treatment, 4 months after treatment | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from Baseline in Psychological distress after 2 weeks and 4 months | The FEP-2, 40-item self report questionnaire, measures psychological distress according to the phase model of therapeutic change as well as the interpersonal model of psychological distress. | Baseline, day of treatment, 2 weeks after treatment, 4 months after treatment | 
| Change from Baseline in Incongruence at 2 weeks and 4 months | Motivational incongruence is defined as the unsatisfactory realization of motivational goals and is based on the concept of General Psychotherapy by Klaus Grawe. The Incongruence Questionnaire (INK) is an instrument that assesses motivational incongruence, defined as the discrepancy between a person's motivational goals and his/her perception of reality. The short version of this questionnaire that will be used in our study (K-INK) comprises 23 items. | Baseline, day of treatment, 2 weeks after treatment, 4 months after treatment | 
| Goal achievement at 2 weeks and 4 months | Goal achievement will be assessed using Goal Attainment Scaling as a method for the assimilation of achievement in a number of individually set goals into a single aggregated 'goal attainment score', providing a person-centred outcome, focused on that individual's priorities. Goal attainment scaling is operationalized by an open-ended question, in which study participants descriobe their individual goals. In a second step these goals will be coded according to the Bern inventory of psychotherapy goals (BIT-C). | day of treatment, 2 weeks after treatment, 4 months after treatment | 
| Change from Baseline in 'Experiences in family and organisational systems' at 2 weeks and 4 months | The subjective quality of family and organizational systems will be assessed by the HFES (Heidelberger Fragebogen zum Erleben in Systemen: Heidelberg Questionnaire on experiences in systems), a self-constructed questionnaire comprising 24 items. | day of treatment, 2 weeks after treatment, 4 months after treatment |