A FEMINIST FAMILY THERAPY SCALE*

This paper reports on the development and psychometric properties of a 17-item instrument intended to reflect the degree to which family therapists conceptualize the process of family therapy from a feminist-informed perspective. Items were adapted from those generated by 37 feminist-informed family therapists in a previous study. Factor analysis results on 383 subjects reflect a unidimensional scale. The Feminist Family Therapy Scale had a Cronbach Alpha of 83 and was found to discriminate between (a) self indentified feminists and nonfeminists, (b) women and men, and (c) subjects scoring higher on Scanzoni's (1975) Sex Role Modernity Scale and those scoring lower. Additional psychometric data are reported, and possible uses of this scale are discussed.     

Bringing Two Worlds Together: A Collaborative Interview With JoEllen Patterson

JoEllen Patterson is Professor in the Marital and Family Therapy Program at the University of San Diego. She is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, directing a medical family therapy clinic embedded in a Family Medicine residency (equivalent to General Practice in New Zealand). She also works in Pediatrics and Reproductive Medicine at UCSD. At present her work involves training family therapy students and family medicine residents to do interdisciplinary work using a biopsychosocial model. Research suggests that our bodies are influenced by our mental health; our immune systems and cardiovascular systems seem especially susceptible to mind‐body interplay. JoEllen is particularly interested in how family functioning influences the mind‐body system. In 2003, JoEllen Patterson received a Fulbright Senior Scholars award to visit the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the Child, Adolescent and Family Service in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. She spent two weeks between the clinical service and the academic department, teaching, consulting and advising. I was lucky enough to arrange this posting and to spend time with her during it.     

Therapeutic Responses to Domestic Violence in Australia: A History of Controversies

This paper reviews controversies about domestic violence occurring in heterosexual relationships discussed in the Australian context by practitioners and academics and published in the Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy over the past three decades. Controversies arose in relation to the provision of therapeutic interventions for domestic violence, primarily in individual and couple counselling and group programs. After a literature review, the following controversial issues are identified: (1) the role of patriarchy: Is a patriarchal culture the main cause of domestic violence? (2) Systemic family therapy and gendered violence: Does systemic family therapy hide men's responsibility for domestic violence? (3) Therapeutic and educational interventions for domestic violence: Does therapy turn a ‘crime’ into a ‘psychological problem’? (4) Men as victims: Do both men and women perpetrate domestic violence in equal measure? (5) It takes two to tango: What part do women play in eliciting men's violence?     

The effects of family therapies for adolescent delinquency and substance abuse: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis summarizes results from k = 24 studies comparing either Brief Strategic Family Therapy, Functional Family Therapy, Multidimensional Family Therapy, or Multisystemic Therapy to either treatment-as-usual, an alternative therapy, or a control group in the treatment of adolescent substance abuse and delinquency. Additionally, the authors reviewed and applied three advanced meta-analysis methods including influence analysis, multivariate meta-analysis, and publication bias analyses. The results suggested that as a group the four family therapies had statistically significant, but modest effects as compared to treatment-as-usual (d = 0.21; k = 11) and as compared to alternative therapies (d = 0.26; k = 11). The effect of family therapy compared to control was larger (d = 0.70; k = 4) but was not statistically significant probably because of low power. There was insufficient evidence to determine whether the various models differed in their effectiveness relative to each other. Influence analyses suggested that three studies had a large effect on aggregate effect sizes and heterogeneity statistics. Moderator and multivariate analyses were largely underpowered but will be useful as this literature grows.     

AAMFT Master Series tapes: an analysis of the inclusion of feminist principles into family therapy practice

Content analysis of 23 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Master Series tapes was used to determine how well feminist behaviors have been incorporated into "ideal" family therapy practice. Feminist behaviors were infrequent, being evident in fewer than 3% of time blocks in event sampling and 10 of 39 feminist behaviors of the Feminist Family Therapist Behavior Checklist. These eminent therapists most often dealt with empowerment of male clients and management of power differentials in the therapeutic relationship in a relatively feminist manner, but they tended to hold women responsible for family issues, endorsed traditional rather than egalitarian relationships, and overlooked how the social context affects families. Several of the therapists were blatantly sexist in their treatment of female clients, communicating disrespect of and pathologizing them. The few tapes portraying effective incorporation of feminist principles in family therapy indicate that a handful of behaviors are key to this approach.     

Economic Consequences of Marital Dissolution for Blacks

This study analyzes Weitzman's suggestion that men and women lose economic well-being in the first year after divorce. Family incomes of divorced women and men are compared with their married counterparts for five SES categories. Using t-tests, it was found that, for most categories, for both genders, incomes of divorced persons were lower than incomes of married persons. Family incomes were regressed against a set of four control variables and a marital status variable. The marital status variable was statistically significant for four of the five SES categories for females. This was not true for males. Policy implications are considered.     

The prevalence of later life family concerns in the marriage and family therapy journal literature (1976-1985): a content analysis*

This study assessed the frequency with which the marital and family therapy journal literature focused on problems associated with aging in a family context. Content analysis was used to assess the prevalence of later life family concerns in two leading journals, Family Process and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, during a 10-year period (1976-1985). Results indicate that neither journal covered later life family issues to any appreciable degree. It is concluded that elders in marital and family relationships constitute a new frontier for the extension and elaboration of family therapy.     

Sources of Influence in the Family Therapy Field: Publication Trends in Three Major Journals1

The institutional sources of all articles published in the three major marriage and family therapy journals through 1978 are identified. The journals reviewed include: Family Process, Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, and the American Journal of Family Therapy. While no single center emerges as dominating the published family therapy literature, a small number of institutions clearly have exerted a profound impact on the literature of the field. Moreover, the absolute number of centers influencing the field is rapidly increasing, and these centers are becoming particularly influential in the newer journals in the field.     

Group Training in Family Therapy—The Student's Perspective*

This paper examines the experience of learning family therapy in a group training model from the trainees perspective. Five significant aspects of this learning experience are discussed. Supervision of family therapy and training within a group setting, multiple supervision, training with a peer co-therapist, using audio-visual feedback in group supervision of family therapy, and the impact on the trainee of doing family therapy for the first time. The trainees found that their learning experience was enhanced by this training approach. (Editors Note: The program referred to in this paper was described in Stier, Serena & Goldenberg, Irene, Training Issues in Family Therapy, Journal of Marriage and Family Counseling, 1975, 1, 63–68.     

Antecedents and Outcomes of Work Family Conflict Among Employed Women and Men in Finland

The aim of this study was to examine theprevalence, antecedents, and consequences of work familyconflict among employed women and men in Finland. Thedata were obtained by questionnaire from a sample of 501 employees working in four organizations.The results showed that work family conflict was moreprevalent than family work conflict among both sexes,but that there were no gender differences inexperiencing either work family or family work conflict.Family work conflict was best explained by family domainvariables (e.g., number of children living at home) forboth sexes, and work family conflict by work domain variables (e.g., full-time job, poorleadership relations) among the women, and by higheducation and high number of children living at homeamong the men. Family work conflict had negativeconsequences on family well-being, and work family conflict,in particular, on occupational well-being. The findingssuggest that in particular improvements in working lifeare needed to prevent problems in the work family interface.     

The use of theory in family therapy research: a content analysis of family therapy journals

Ninety-five studies from Family Process and Journal of Marital and Family Therapy were evaluated with regard to their use of theory. While a majority of the articles were judged to use theory in either an explicit or an implicit manner, 42% did not appear to draw on theory in either the introductory or discussion sections. Studies that used qualitative methods appeared to use theory more frequently and explicitly than those using quantitative methods alone. Systems theory was found to be the most common conceptual framework, followed by feminism. We conclude that the link between theory and research in family therapy needs strengthening and suggest that the role of theory in family therapy be reexamined.     

Mitigating Intergenerational Trauma Within the Parent‐Child Attachment

Nine‐year‐old Ben was said to hate women. His mother was terrified he'd ‘grow up a woman basher’. This paper describes the work done with Ben and his family at the Hobart Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. We drew predominantly on three therapeutic modalities: Theraplay, Family Attachment Narrative Therapy and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. Our work enabled Ben's mother to navigate the aftermath of her own trauma history in order to heal Ben's attachment trauma.     

Effects of Aerobic Training on Primary Dysmenorrhea Symptomatology in College Females

Abstract

“Single-Dose Therapy for Cystitis in Women: A Comparison of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, Amoxicillin, and Cyclacillin,” Thomas M. Hooton et al. We evaluated single-dose regimens of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, and cyclacillin as treatment for acute cystitis in 38 women. The trial was prematurely stopped because of frequent treatment failures. At two days after treatment, all 13 patients given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were cured, while four (31%) of the 13 given amoxicillin and four (33%) of 12 given cyclacillin had persistent bacteriuria. At two weeks, 11 (85%) of 13 patients given trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, six (50%) of 12 given amoxicillin, and three (30%) of ten given cyclacillin were cured. One patient with positive results of antibody-coated bacteria testing who was treated with cyclacillin had signs and symptoms of acute pyelonephritis three days after treatment, and two patients treated with amoxicillin and one treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole converted antibody-coated bacteria test results from negative to positive after therapy. We conclude that single-dose treatment of cystitis in unselected women with cyclacillin and amoxicillin may result in low cure rates and that progression to acute pyelonephritis may occur following ineffective single-dose therapy. (Journal of the American Medical Association 1985;253:387-390.)     

Premarital Cohabitation and Marital Dissolution: An Examination of Recent Marriages

An ongoing question remains for family researchers: Why does a positive association between cohabitation and marital dissolution exist when one of the primary reasons to cohabit is to test relationship compatibility? Drawing on recently collected data from the 2006–2008 National Survey of Family Growth, the authors examined whether premarital cohabitation experiences were associated with marital instability among a recent contemporary (married since 1996) marriage cohort of men (N = 1,483) and women (N = 2,003). They found that a dichotomous indicator of premarital cohabitation was in fact not associated with marital instability among women and men. Furthermore, among cohabitors, marital commitment prior to cohabitation (engagement or definite plans for marriage) was tied to lower hazards of marital instability among women, but not men. This research contributes to our understanding of cohabitation, marital instability, and broader family change.     

Family Policy and Fertility Intentions in 21 European Countries

European countries show substantial variation in family policy and in the extent to which policies support more traditional male‐breadwinner or more gender egalitarian earner–carer family arrangements. Using data from the European Social Survey, the authors implemented multilevel models to analyze variation in fertility intentions of 16,000 men and women according to individual‐level characteristics and family policy across 21 European countries. Both traditional and earner–carer family support generosity were positively related to first‐birth intentions for men and women. In contrast, only earner–carer support maintains its positive relationship with second birth intentions. Family policy is not in general related to third and higher order parity intentions.     

To Live More Comfortably with Difference An Interview with Peter Churven

Peter Churven's name has been associated with family therapy in Australia since the early days. He is remembered as the original Director of Redbank House (which pioneered whole family admissions), and for his forceful presence as the Foundation President of the N.S.W. Family Therapy Association. He was recently elected as a member of the Board for this journal. As you read his words, imagine him now and then pausing to think, swivelling in his chair, so that the creaking acts as punctuation.     

An Interview with Maurizio Andolfi

This interview was completed in Rome, Italy, on June 12, 1986. Maurizio Andolfi has evolved into one of the most creative family therapists regarding the use of self and metaphorical objects in the therapy process. For readers familiar with his interview in the American Journal of Family Therapy, 1981, (9)2, and his book, Family Therapy: Interactional Family Therapy, (1979), New York: Plenum, and Behind the Family Mask, (1983), New York: Brunner/Mazel, this interview reflects some of these changes and should provide interesting reading.     

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY CONSULTATION WITH RANCH AND FARM FAMILIES: AN EMPIRICAL FAMILY CASE STUDY

There is a paucity of marriage and family therapy literature addressing therapeutic consultation with farm and ranch families. This article describes a case study in which several Marital and Family Therapy approaches were used to consult with a ranch family. It also provides empirical data showing in which of five treatment phases changes occurred. Two generations, including four couples from an extended family, participated in family consultation over 42 months and completed assessments six times. Statistical results and clinical impressions confirm that the five-phase consultative process resulted in significant improvements in family satisfaction with adaptability and family strains levels and positive movement in seven other areas.     

Therapeutic Alliance and Retention in Brief Strategic Family Therapy: A Mixed‐Methods Study

We explored how the therapeutic alliance contributed to retention in Brief Strategic Family Therapy by analyzing videotapes of eight‐first sessions in which four therapists worked with one family that stayed in treatment and one family that dropped out. Although behavioral exchange patterns between clients and therapists did not differ by retention status, positive therapist alliance‐related behavior followed negative client alliance behavior somewhat more frequently in the retained cases. In the qualitative aspect of the study, four family therapy experts each viewed two randomly assigned sessions and commented on their quality without knowing the families’ retention status. A qualitative analysis of the audiotaped commentaries revealed 18 alliance‐related themes that were more characteristic of either the retained or the nonretained cases.     

Career Aspirations and Perceived Level of Preparedness Among Marriage and Family Therapy Doctoral Students

The authors conducted a survey of marriage and family therapy (MFT) doctoral students in programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). MFT doctoral students ( N  = 82) from across the United States responded to a web-based survey that focused on career aspirations, training opportunities, and the level of preparedness they experienced during their doctoral education. Results of this survey indicated that students felt they were well prepared for many aspects of their chosen career path. Some respondents desired more training to prepare them for careers in academia. More men than women indicated a career in academia as their primary career aspiration. While most of the respondents perceived that their internship experiences were beneficial, some expressed the desire for more opportunities to supervise master's-level students, to write grants, and to teach graduate-level MFT courses. The authors conclude with a discussion of how these findings may influence the development of core competencies specific to doctoral education in MFT.