Filial Therapy With Monolingual Spanish-Speaking Mothers: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This article describes a phenomenological study of filial therapy with monolingual, Spanish-speaking mothers living in the United States. Four mothers participated in a 5-week training in filial therapy. Data from the interviews revealed four emergent themes. These include (a) challenges in integrating play therapy skills in everyday life, (b) empowerment from group support, (c) changes in the mother-child relationship, and (d) impact on the child's behavior. Multicultural considerations and implications for future research are provided.

A Qualitative Study of an Intensive Filial Intervention Using Child–Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)

“…Similar to other studies that emphasized the importance of group process and social support for filial therapies (Attree, 2005; Edwards et al, 2007; Sangganjanavanich et al, 2010), this current study also indicated that group counseling processes enhanced the parent’s experiences. At the start of the sessions, some participants seemed hesitant to share their family life with one another and with the facilitators.…”

“…Prior qualitative CPRT studies have documented changes in parents’ perceptions of the parent–child relationship such as listening to the child (Sangganjanavanich et al, 2010), paying attention to the child’s needs (Edwards, Sullivan, Meany-Walen, & Kantor, 2010), and increasing parental empathy (Edwards et al, 2007). This increased awareness and understanding of the child’s emotions were also meaningful for the parents who participated in this study.…”

“…Outcome studies using brief CPRT formats include Ferrell's (2003) study that found no significant statistical difference in outcomes between a traditional 10-week CPRT and a 4-week intensive CPRT intervention. In other studies, brief intensive CPRT sessions have related to improved child-parent relationships without the taped in-home playtimes (Bornsheuer, Garza, & Nichter, 2012;Sangganjanavanich, Cook, & Rangel-Gomez, 2010;Smith & Landreth, 2003).…”

“…Studies of CPRT also have addressed a focused set of child-centered skills for parents to use with their children such as tracking, reflecting feelings, encouragement, and limit setting (Sangganjanavanich et al, 2010; Sheely & Bratton, 2010; Wickstrom, 2009). Tracking, for example, is a verbal way for a parent to attend to a child, simply describing what is observed in a way that lets him or her know that the parent is interested and involved in what he or she is doing (e.g., You decided to build with blocks; Bratton et al, 2006).…”

A Filial Therapy Model Through a Family Therapy Lens

“…In addition, the most rigorous outcome research studies have consistently revealed support for filial therapy in decreasing child behavior problems, decreasing parent-child relationship stress, and improving the empathic responsiveness of parents toward their children (see Bratton, Landreth, & Lin, 2010). Several researchers performing qualitative analyses of filial therapy have noted that parents reported improved parent-child relationships (Bavin-Hoffman, Jennings, & Landreth, 1996;Edwards, Ladner, & White, 2007;Edwards, Sullivan, MeanyWalen, & Kantor, 2010;Foley, Higdon, & White, 2006;Garza, Kinsworthy, & Watts, 2009;Kinsworthy & Garza, 2010;Lahti, 1992;Sangganjanavanich, Cook, & Rangel-Gomez, 2010;Solis, Meyers, & Varjas, 2004;West, 2010;Wickstrom, 2009). In addition, qualitative studies conducted by BavinHoffman, Jennings, and Landreth (1996), Lahti (1992), and Wickstrom (2009) have resulted in findings that are suggestive of potential changes occurring in the family as a whole.…”