The Efficacy and Effectiveness of Marital and Family Therapy: A Perspective From Meta‐analysis

Abstract

This article reviews the major findings from a multiproject meta‐analysis of the effects of marital and family therapy (MFT). Across 163 randomized trials, MFT demonstrates moderate, statistically significant, and often clinically significant effects. No orientation is yet demonstrably superior to any other, nor is MFT superior to individual therapy. Cost effectiveness information is scant in these 163 studies, but supportive. Randomized experiments yield very different answers from nonrandomized experimental studies of the effects of MFT, calling into question whether we should mix the two in reviews. We have also found several new differences in the ways that marital therapy (MT) and family therapy (FT) studies are conducted, making them harder to compare. Finally, important questions still exist about whether any psychotherapy, including MFT, yet has sufficient information about how well research generalizes to everyday clinical practice.

The Neurobiology of Affective Interventions: A Cross-Theoretical Model

“…The positive contributions of the therapeutic alliance can be found across theoretical orientations and treatment modalities, e.g. marriage, group, individual and family work (Diamond, Liddle, Hogue, & Dakof, 1999;Rait, 2000;Shadish, Ragsdale, & Glaser, 1995). It has also been found that the alliance remains a strong predictor of outcome regardless of the therapist's fidelity to a particular therapeutic approach (Chatoor & Krupnick, 2001;Luborsky, 2000).…”

Systemic attachment theory and therapeutic practice: a proposal

“…But in contrast to the elaborate and effective practice (e.g. Grawe, Donati, & Bernauer, 1994;Pinsof & Wynne, 1995;Shadish et al, 1995), systemic theory has several limitations, which are described in more detail below.…”

“…Meanwhile, a certain therapeutic approach has been established, which is not only applied successfully to couples and families (e.g. Alexander, Holtzworth-Munroe, & Jameson, 1994;Shadish, Ragsdale, Glaser, & Montgomery, 1995), but also in individual therapy (e.g. de Shazer, 1988;Watzlawick, Weakland & Fisch, 1974).…”

Couple Therapy and Reiki

“…Some researchers conclude that there are no discernable differences in outcome for different types of couple therapy modalities (Jacobson & Addis, 1993;Shadish, Ragsdale, Glaser, & Montgomery, 1995). Others have argued that couple therapy as a modality has demonstrated differential outcomes (Johnson & Greenberg, 1985;Leff et al, 2000).…”