Interfamily Therapy, a multifamily therapy model settled in infant‐juvenile mental health services of Havana (Cuba): A qualitative study from participants’ perspectives

Abstract

Interfamily therapy (IFT) is a specific model for multifamily therapy (MFT) of recent expansion in Latin American and European countries. In IFT a multifamily group becomes a community of learning where professionals and family members establish collaborative relationships and participate in dialogues. This study used a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the participants’ perspective of 14 members and ex‐members of two IFT groups conducted in Infant‐Juvenile Mental Health Centers in Havana (Cuba). In this study IFT was well accepted and effective, and it was perceived as beneficial due to its positive influence for participants, with benefits on a personal, family and social level. In addition, participants articulated a series of therapeutic elements of IFT that were essential to promote these benefits. In conclusion, IFT seems to be a useful therapeutic model in the treatment of children, adolescents and their families in a Cuban psychiatric setting.

“Overcrowded but lonely”: exploring mental health and well-being among young prisoners in Cambodia

“…Our study revealed a variety of complex mental health and well-being challenges faced by young prisoners, which are in line with other studies. For example, a study on infant–juvenile mental health services in Cuban prisons reported that feelings of guilt, tension and frustration were common among the participants (Ruiz‐Íñiguez et al , 2021). Another study with inmates in Colorado revealed that stress, fear, anxiety and other psychiatric symptoms were frequently experienced in this population (Binswanger et al , 2011).…”

“…From a public health perspective, it is important to understand young prisoners¨mental health and well-being and to identify what kind of support they need to improve their current and future situations (Ruiz-I ´n ˜iguez et al, 2021). Without a supportive environment and access to operating quality services, deterioration of the mental health and well-being of young prisoners might have substantial negative effects on their social and physical situation in the prisons (Chappell and Maggard, 2021).…”

Multifamily therapy in the community mental health network: A pragmatic randomized and controlled study

“…It promotes self‐efficacy and has a potential preventive effect. Group cohesion is a predominant therapeutic factor in MFT (Hellemans et al, 2011; Ruiz‐Íñiguez et al, 2021), helping people not to feel alone but in a big family where there are people they can trust.…”

“…An interesting qualitative study analyzes MFT benefits and therapeutic factors in the infant‐juvenile population, considering participants' perspectives. It concludes that MFT seems to be a useful therapeutic model for this population (Ruiz‐Íñiguez et al, 2021).…”

“…This diversity facilitates multiple connections between the participants and broader and plural views of reality (Asen, 2002). The different dimensions in the MFT are manifested in the group therapeutic factors, which range from the individual level (gain insight, relief of guilt and tension, and increased self-confidence) to the family (closer relationships and improved communication), group (cohesion and sharing experiences) and social (increased social connection) levels (Ruiz-Íñiguez et al, 2021).…”