THE RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF RELATIONSHIP ENHANCEMENT THERAPY AND STRATEGIC THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF DISTRESSED MARRIED COUPLES (MARITAL, RE THERAPY)
Abstract
The problem under investigation in this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of Relationship Enhancement therapy and Strategic therapy for the treatment of distressed married couples. Twenty Married couples seeking marital therapy at Purdue's Marriage and Family Therapy Center were administered a battery of tests to determine the nature and severity of their marital dysfunction. After the pre-test, couples were randomly assigned to one of two treatment conditions. Treatment was administered by experienced therapists specifically trained by recognized experts in their respective approaches. The couples were administered a post-test after 14 sessions or at termination, whichever came first. The assessment battery consisted of instruments designed to assess two categories of variables: (1) marital health and functioning and (2) quality of the therapeutic relationship. Results of analyses revealed no significant differences or discernable patterns between scores on instruments assessing marital health and functioning. No significant differences were found between scores on measures of quality of the therapeutic relationship. Results of analyses of within group differences indicate that both groups obtained statistically significant gains on several dependent variables. A pattern in the scores measuring quality of the therapeutic relationship was observed. A hypothesis about the relationship between therapists' satisfaction with model and the strength of the therapeutic relationship is advanced.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Psychotherapy
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