Couple‐based interventions for psychopathology

Abstract

Relationship functioning and psychopathology are strongly associated with one another. In this article we provide a selective review of the literature on relationship discord and the presence, incidence and individual-based treatment of psychiatric disorders. We then present a model for conceptualizing couple-based interventions with couples in which one partner has a psychiatric disorder, distinguishing between partner-assisted interventions, disorder-specific interventions and couple therapy interventions. Finally, we provide examples of how to employ these interventions with several psychiatric disorders (obsessivecompulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa and depression) and selectively review the efficacy of couple-based interventions in the treatment of psychopathology.Practitioner points • Relationship distress and psychopathology are associated. • In many instances individual therapy for psychopathology is less effective when the couple is distressed. • Couple-based interventions have the capacity to alleviate individual psychopathology and improve relationship functioning.

Integrative Couples Group Treatment for Emerging Adults With ADHD Symptoms

“…Improvement in relationship functioning may be valuable because it could facilitate romantic partners continuing to compensate for the difficulties of adults with elevated ADHD symptoms (Eakin et al, 2004). Of course, finding a change in relationship functioning was not surprising given that treatment included evidence-based, relationship-building skills (Baucom et al, 2012). Future studies are needed to investigate whether the integrative intervention facilitates improvement in other areas of functioning impaired in emerging adults with ADHD (e.g., managing finances, substance use).…”

“…If partners of adults with elevated ADHD symptoms highlight behaviors to change during or in between therapy sessions, this may increase the likelihood of their loved ones responding positively to treatment. Third, couples therapy is an evidence-based treatment for many mental health problems, including two often reported by adults with elevated ADHD symptoms (e.g., depression, substance abuse; Baucom, Whisman, & Paprocki, 2012). Baucom and colleagues (2012) noted that individual therapy is often ineffective when the couple is distressed or when partners contribute to the problem.…”

Emotion regulation and depressive symptoms: Close relationships as social context and influence.

“…In clinical and nonclinical samples, depression and couple discord are highly comorbid and have bidirectional influences over time (for reviews, see Rehman, Gollan, & Mortimer, 2008; Whisman & Baucom, 2012). Moreover, recent approaches to treating individual depression in a couple therapy format show comparable efficacy to individual treatment, as well as stronger effects on relationship discord – an important additional benefit, because discord predicts lower treatment effectiveness and higher post-treatment relapse (Barbato & D’Avanzo, 2008; Baucom, Whisman, & Paprocki, 2012). As yet, however, mechanisms through which relationships affect the psychopathology of depression remain unclear.…”

Multifamily group treatment for veterans with mood disorders: A pilot study.

“…Disorder-specific interventions have been developed that promote changes in relationship functioning to enhance coping with psychiatric symptoms (Baucom, Whisman, & Paprocki, 2012). Numerous family-based treatments have been developed for both depression and bipolar disorder.…”