A quantitative and qualitative analysis of changes during systemic family therapy: results of the Polish clinical version of the SCORE-15 questionnaire.

Feliks Matusiak,Barbara Józefik,Małgorzata Wolska,Roma Ulasińska,Peter Stratton

doi:10.12740/pp/onlinefirst/125054

Abstract

The article presents the results of a research project on the evaluation of changes during the process of systemic family therapy in a clinical group comprising adolescent psychiatric patients. The evaluation was conducted using Polish version of the SCORE-15 tool. The analysis was performed on a sample of 109 families who completed the questionnaire before their first session. Before the fourth session, the questionnaire was filled in by 73 families; and after the last session it was completed by 28 families. Consensual qualitative research method revealed changes in family's description of the family as well as in description of the problem. Statistical analyses of the results of the SCORE-15 questionnaire identified significant changes between the first, fourth and the final session. Changes were identified in the SCORE Total as well as in the VAS scales. The RCI showed 5 improvements and 2 deteriorations after three sessions, and no deterioration and 13 improvements at final one. Obtained results point to many significant changes in the researched areas after completion of the systemic family therapy by families. The research also indicated that a coherent qualitative analysis of the descriptive material can be highly informative and can enrich both the understanding of the therapeutic process as well as the manner of providing feedback about the changes in the therapy to families.

Highlights

Both long-term clinical observations as well as empirical research show the significance of various forms of family therapy in the treatment of emotional and mental disorders in children and adolescent, even making them at times a treatment method of choice
Obtained results point to many significant changes in the researched areas after completion of the systemic family therapy by families
Obtained results allowed us to describe changes occurring in the course of systemic family therapy

Summary

Introduction

Both long-term clinical observations as well as empirical research show the significance of various forms of family therapy in the treatment of emotional and mental disorders in children and adolescent, even making them at times a treatment method of choice. Worth mentioning here are periodical reviews by Alan Carr published in the Journal of Family Therapy on evidence-based interventions for couple and family therapy for children [1] and adults [2], including a 2016 paper summarizing and describing in detail which specific research-informed forms of family therapy for adolescents are best suited to treat particular types of problems [3]. Their results confirm the effectiveness and success of family therapy; the need to conduct further research remains. The aim of the therapy is the study and deconstruction of meanings given to a child’s behaviors, the work on understanding his or her emotions and intentions and those of other family members (mentalization), the identification of mechanisms sustaining the presence of symptoms, the determination of the position of a child within family relationships and conflicts, the discovery of resources of a patient and a family

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion