Medical Family Therapy with Diverse Populations Part II: Understanding & Treating Interracial & International Couples with Chronic Illness Using Emotionally Focused MedFT

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Globalization has resulted in the increase of interracial and interracial-international couple relationships around the world, some of whom also live with chronic illness. Despite growing positive attitudes toward interracial relationships, these couples experience multiple health disparities and disparate treatments compared to same-race couples. Aims: In this paper, we illuminate the general experience of interracial couples around the world to: (1) draw special attention to how sociocultural discourses influence them individually and as a couple; (2) highlight the disparities in equitable health care received by interracial couples; and (3) discuss how Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a useful framework for working with interracial couples with chronic illness and how it can be a larger training area in medical family therapy (MedFT) and its application to chronic health issues faced by couples. Method: We include a case example integrating EFT and the BPSS model to address the cross-cultural experiences and treatment needs of interracial couples struggling with a chronic illness experience. Discussion: Clinical recommendations include the necessity of multipartiality and self-of-the-therapist examinations alongside sociocultural assessment and culturally atuned treatment of interracial couples with chronic illness. Future directions include advocating for the expansion of EFT training in MedFT and chronic illness treatment.