Solution‐focused Couples Therapy Groups: An Empirical Study

Abstract

The professional literature contains numerous theoretical and case study articles regarding the development and use of solution‐focused therapy. However, as with many models of systems‐oriented therapy in use with couples, very little has been subjected to empirical investigation. This project was designed to make a contribution to the empirical literature regarding the effectiveness of solution‐focused therapy in use with couples’ groups. This study utilized pre‐test comparisons of treatment and comparison groups, and examined pre‐ to post‐test changes in the scores of the treatment group couples. Twenty‐three treatment group couples participated in a six‐week solution‐focused couples therapy (SFCT) group. A separate group of thirteen couples served as a comparison group. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) was used to assess changes in the couples’ relationships. Scores on the Marital Status Inventory (MSI), as a pre‐test measure indicating the couples’ likelihood of divorce, indicated no significant differences between groups. The remaining analyses revealed significant improvement in DAS scores. Self‐reports from the couples involved indicate improvement in a variety of areas after completing the six‐week solution‐focused couples group therapy process.

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy With Latinos: A Systematic Review

“…The RCT Peruvian study by Jara Iglesias (2010) complements other research on couples counseling in the United States with Caucasian couples (e.g., Zimmerman, Prest, & Wetzel, 1997) and with varied racial/ethnic couples (e.g., Naude, 1999). This study sought to work with couples who did not present an initial complaint and were participants of a religious community, showing that SFBT may be compatible with a religious setting and in a group modality and can be used as a preventive strategy to strengthen relationships and enhance marital satisfaction.…”

The Development of the Solution Building Inventory

“…Additional studies test the effectiveness of the model (e.g. Littrell, Malia, & Vanderwood, 1995;Zimmerman, Prest, & Wetzel, 1997). In the age of evidenced based treatments, it is essential to further measure and test widely used models.…”

“…Zimmerman, Prest, and Wetzel (1997) Poorly-controlled studies. Gingerich and Eisengart (2000) list six studies that are poorly controlled.…”

The Influence of Diversity in Clinical Supervision: A Framework for Reflective Conversations and Questioning

“…When establishing the solution-focused model as a distinct approach to treatment, de Shazer and his colleagues (de Shazer, 1985(de Shazer, , 1988de Shazer & Molnar, 1984) used empirical data to substantiate the development of specific strategies. Since that time, a number of studies have examined the effectiveness of solutionfocused therapy (see, for example, Beyerbach, Morejon, Palenzuela, & Rodriguez-Arias, 1996;Cockburn, Thomas, & Cockburn, 1997;Gingerich & Eisengart, 2000;Lindforss & Magnusson, 1997;Zimmerman, Jacobsen, MacIntyre, & Watson, 1996;Zimmerman, Prest, & Wetzel, 1997). Less empirical research has been done to support the efficacy of the narrative approach to practice.…”