THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF STRUCTURAL AND STRATEGIC FAMILY THERAPIES: A DELPHI STUDY
Abstract
Structural and strategic family therapy, two of the most popular approaches in the burgeoning field of family therapy, appear to lack both conceptual and practical clarity. The present study attempted to clarify the tenets of theory, research and practice for these family therapy approaches. Specifically, the present study examined the similarities and differences in the theory and practice of structural and strategic family therapy by surveying a national panel of experienced structural and strategic family therapists. The Delphi technique was employed in the present study, which is a procedure designed to sample a group of knowledgeable persons in order to gain a consensus of opinion. A three-phase questionnaire was sent to a national panel of structural and strategic experts. The experts were asked to identify and to reach a consensus of opinion about items they thought important to a profile of either structural or strategic family therapy. The final structural family therapy profile, which contained 82 items, favored the theoretical assumption that families are evolving, hierarchical organizations, with rules for interacting across and within subsystems. Panelists agreed that symptomatic behavior is maintained by an inadequate hierarchy and boundaries, and improving a family's organization will improve individuals and their behavior. Reorganization of the family structure is the major goal of structural family therapy, according to the final profile, and therapists utilize direct techniques to create change. The final strategic family therapy profile contained 97 items. This profile is based on the theoretical assumption that behavior, which occurs as part of a sequence of ongoing interactional recursive events, can only be understood in context. Panelists agreed that symptoms, which are embedded in these sequences of interaction, are developed and maintained by ineffective solutions. Change in the presenting problem is the major goal of strategic family therapy, and direct and indirect interventions are used to interrupt maladaptive sequences that perpetuate the presenting problem. The final strategic profile also includes items that pertain to three differing approaches to strategic therapy.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
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