Premature Termination in Marriage and Family Therapy within a Bowenian Perspective

Abstract

The theoretical foundation for this investigation was Bowen Family Systems Theory (Bowen, 1978). The purpose of this study was to investigate premature termination (as defined by the therapist), predicted by presenting problem, psychological symptoms, and differentiation in a sample of 194 clients who came for at least one session of individual or family therapy to a university marriage and family therapy clinic. Premature termination was defined as “no show” after one or more sessions, or clients' leaving against therapist's recommendation. Findings suggested a complex relationship between differentiation and premature termination depending on the type of case. These findings are discussed as well as implications for clinicians.