Journal of Family Therapy

Altunkeser, Bircan

doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.70006pmid: N/A

This study investigates the effectiveness of Fisher's Rebuilding After Divorce Program on divorce adjustment levels in Türkiye. A pre‐test, post‐test, follow‐up control group design with matched groups was used. Sixteen individuals, divorced within 5 years and not in a romantic relationship, were randomly assigned to groups matched by time since divorce. The experimental group underwent the Fisher program online. Data were collected through Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale—Short Form. Mann–Whitney U test was used to test the significance of differences between groups, and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to assess within‐group differences. A significant improvement in the experimental group's post‐test scores was found, with no significant differences between post‐test and follow‐up measurements. A significant difference was found between post‐test scores of the experimental and control groups. The findings are discussed in relation to existing literature, and recommendations are made.

Ward, Chris

doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.70002pmid: N/A

When conflicted couples and families adopt polarised positions, constructive dialogue ceases. Racism, sexism, and other forms of polarisation have the same silencing effects in the public domain. This paper views polarisation through the lens of loyalty. It outlines a systemic approach to polarised defensiveness that combines constructionist perspectives, positioning, and the relational ethics of Ivan Boszormenyi‐Nagy (Nagy). Loyal partisanship can be understood in terms of Valeria Ugazio's semantic polarities. Polarisation is likely in Melanie Klein's ‘paranoid‐schizoid’ position, where loyalty is defensive and unquestioning. In contrast, Eve Kofosky‐Sedgwick describes a reparative position that invites curiosity. Nagy suggests that curiosity about an opponent's values and loyalties will reveal relational obligations and entitlements, including the destructive sense of entitlement that may underlie aggression and violence. Curiosity is a necessary precondition for a dialogue in which each opposing party is fully ‘present’ and able to offer each other the consideration they have earned.

Young, Bonnie; Seedall, Ryan B.; Robinson, W. David

doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.70001pmid: N/A

Religious obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), also known as scrupulosity, can be a debilitating mental health condition both for those suffering from it and their loved ones, especially romantic partners. Traditional therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) offer effective, evidence‐based interventions for those struggling with scrupulosity. However, there are no models specifically aimed at treating scrupulosity symptoms and the resulting relational distress between romantic partners. This paper aims to first educate marriage and family therapists about OCD/scrupulosity, second outline common individual treatments for OCD/scrupulosity, and third show how these treatments can be integrated with Restoration Therapy (RT). We provide key points for integration, a case illustration and treatment considerations for clinicians treating couples where a partner is suffering from scrupulosity.

doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.12459pmid: N/A

Koivula, Krista; Kokki, Hannu; Korhonen, Maija; Laitila, Aarno; Kalapudas, Juho; Honkalampi, Kirsi

doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.70003pmid: N/A

This present article reports on the experiences of parents of children with cancer who participated in an emotionally focused Hold Me Tight (HMT) group intervention. A purposive sample of 24 parents was recruited from 3‐day HMT courses. Focus group conversations were conducted at the end of each course and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The 3‐day HMT group intervention resulted in experiences that strengthened parents' personal well‐being and couple resilience. Individual, couple, and family‐related meanings emerged in these conversations. The subthemes of the individual‐related meanings included identifying the need for self‐exploration, enabling a new form of self‐observation, increasing self‐understanding, and improving personal well‐being and resilience. The subthemes of the couple‐related meanings were identifying and processing couple relationship dynamics, increasing understanding of relationship interactions, facilitating prevention and coping with challenging situations, and strengthening the mutual emotional connection. The subtheme of the family‐related meanings was increasing understanding of family interactions. These results suggest the need for further research on HMT group interventions for this target population.

Aslantürk, Ayşe; Arslan, Coşkun; Seki, Tolga

doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.70005pmid: N/A

Research on mindfulness within couple relationships is rapidly increasing; however, many studies tend to overlook its multi‐dimensional nature. Assessing relational mindfulness through various components may offer valuable insights for both researchers and couples. This study aimed to adapt the multi‐dimensional and context‐specific Mindfulness in Couple Relationships Scale (MCRS) for a Turkish sample and to examine its psychometric properties. The sample comprised 355 Turkish participants aged between 18 and 63 years. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the original eight‐factor structure, which is consistent with the original scale. The MCRS demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = 0.90; ω = 0.91). Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between the MCRS, trait mindfulness, and relationship quality. These findings suggest that the Turkish version of the MCRS is a valid and reliable assessment tool for measuring multiple facets of mindfulness in romantic relationships.

Trihy, Laura; Stratton, Peter; Kieran, Aideen; Starken, Patricia; Sherbersky, Hannah; Shepherd, Melanie; Galbraith, Michael; Whittinger, Naureen; Pomini, Valeria; Kunsang Yang Yang, ; Nearchou, Finiki; Carr, Alan

doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.70008pmid: N/A

This study employed a mixed‐methodssecondary data analysis to further validate the Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation for Couples (C‐SCORE), a routine outcome measure (ROM) designed for assessment, treatment planning and outcome monitoring in couple therapy. Using existing survey data from an international community sample of individuals in committed relationships (N = 300, mean age = 41.61, 49% females), both quantitative scores and responses to two embedded open‐ended qualitative questions from the C‐SCORE were analysed. Reflexive thematic analyses of the qualitative responses revealed that individuals in the highest C‐SCORE quartiles tended to describe their relationships more positively and perceived their problems as less negatively impactful on relational functioning. Quantitative ratings of the positivity of relationship descriptions and the perceived impact of relational problems were significantly correlated with the C‐SCORE's quantitative scales. This study provides further validation of the C‐SCORE, as a routine outcome measure for use in couple therapy.

Muhumuza, Dominique; Birdi, Gurkiran

doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.70004pmid: N/A

Research has shown that individuals from an ethnic minority background in the United Kingdom are less likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder and therefore receive treatment. As this has been highlighted as an area that needs to be addressed to reduce the duration of untreated illness, it is important to explore the research around how best to adapt practice and services to reduce the duration of untreated illness and intervene earlier to pursue a better outcome. This literature review focused on the four eating disorders and treatments outlined in the NICE Guidelines for under 18s. The initial search offered 231; however, once filtered, 61 papers were considered. Following reading the title and abstract, 28 papers were examined. Finally, 9 explored ED interventions within our population. The findings are discussed in detail, and recommendations for services and further research are suggested, such as further research into CBT‐E (a NICE recommended intervention) within different cultures, how to help clinicians consider how to respect culture and beliefs through recovery, and what cultural adaptations need to be made to therapy to provide effective support for increasingly culturally diverse populations.