The Efficacy of Behavioral Couples Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couple Distress

Abstract

Publication information Contemporary Family Therapy, 26 (4): 361-387Publisher Springer Item record/more information http://hdl.handle.net/10197/5128 Publisher's statementThe final publication is available at www.springerlink.comPublisher's version (DOI) http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10591-004-0642-9Efficacy of BCT and EFT West Lake Drive, Athens, GA 30606 USA. Nicholsw@aol.com, ABSTRACTEfficacy of BCT and EFT 3 Twenty treatment outcome studies, 13 of which evaluated behavioral couples therapy (BCT) and 7 of which evaluated emotionally focused therapy (EFT) were reviewed . A total of 827 couples participated in the 20 studies from which the following conclusions were drawn. BCT leads to short and long-term gains for moderate to severe couple distress. After treatment the average couple treated with BCT fares better than 83% of untreated couples. Between a half and twothirds show clinically significant improvement which is maintained at follow-up periods ranging form 6 months to 4 years. In the long term BCT probably leads to no better outcomes than its constituent components -behavioral exchange training, and communication and problem solving skills training. The addition of a cognitive therapy component to BCT or the use of a variety of treatment formats does not improve the efficacy of BCT. Integrative couples therapy and insightoriented marital therapy may be more effective than BCT, but the studies supporting this conclusion require replication. EFT leads to short and long-term gains for mild to moderate couple distress. After treatment the average couple treated with EFT fares better than 89% of untreated couples. Between a half and almost three quarters of couples show clinically significant improvement which is maintained at follow-up periods ranging form 4 months to 2 years. In a single EFT outcome study improvement rates increased from post-treatment to 2 years followup, suggesting the effects of EFT may strengthen with time rather than 'wash out'.The addition of a cognitive therapy component to EFT does not enhance its efficacy. EFT may be more effective than problem solving therapy and less effective than integrated systemic therapy, but the two studies supporting this conclusion require replication.Efficacy of BCT and EFT 4

A Report: Couples with Medical Conditions, Attachment Theoretical Perspectives and Evidence for Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy

“…Emotionally-focused Therapy for couples is an empirically-validated approach to treating relationship distress (e.g., Byrne et al 2004;Johnson and Greenberg 1985) with more recent research establishing meta-analytic support for its efficacy (Shadish and Baldwin 2003). The utility of EFT for treating couples with a chronically ill child has been established (Walker et al 1996); importantly, treatment gains from this intervention were sustained or increased at two-year follow up (Cloutier et al 2002).…”

Couples Therapy for Depression

“…Finally, problem-solving skills are taught to help partners negotiate conflict when it does arise. CBCT has been shown to be effective in the treatment of marital discord: a meta-analysis of seven clinical trials comparing CBCT with waiting-list control groups in treating marital discord yielded a mean effect size (d ) of .95 (Byrne, Carr, & Clark, 2004). This effect size indicates that the post-treatment mean level of marital satisfaction for people who received treatment was nearly one standard deviation higher than the mean level of marital satisfaction for people who did not receive treatment.…”

“…Although the target of change in EFT is attachment insecurity, a meta-analysis of seven randomized clinical trials comparing EFT with a waiting-list control group indicated that it also has a positive impact on marital discord, with a mean effect size (d ) of 1.27 (Byrne et al, 2004). This effect size can be interpreted as indicating that the average couple who received EFT was better off at the end of treatment than 89% of untreated couples.…”

Analysis of Psychological Spouse Abuse against Men in Iranian Couples: A Qualitative Study

“…Marital quality and the factors, which affect it, should be considered due to their effect on the psychological health of the couples and children. Experts believe that identification and treatment of harmful factors on the quality of the mutual life can be undeniable on maintaining and promoting the mental health of the couples (Byrne et al, 2004). Nowadays, spouse abuse is one of the main problems of public health with short and long-term consequences on physical and mental health of the couples (Campel, 2002).…”