A graduate-level course on the family therapy of alcoholism: A Delphi study
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to begin to specify the critical elements for inclusion in a graduate-level curriculum on the family therapy of alcoholism. A modified, two-wave Delphi technique was used to survey a group of 16 experienced clinicians and teachers working in the area of the family therapy of alcoholism. Panelists were asked to specify the key training and supervisory techniques, content areas, theory, and literature to be covered in a state-of the-art course. In addition, panelists were asked to specify whether they integrate or keep separate, the paradigms of family systems theory and the disease model of alcoholism. Seven of the sixteen panelists state that they integrate, five do not integrate, and four integrate conditionally. As a group, the panelists agreed to include in the final profile, 40 of the 208 items that had been generated in the first round of the survey. Panelists agreed that trainees need to understand both family systems theory, and the disease model of alcoholism. In addition, panelists endorsed literature that was primarily integrative in nature, and training techniques that compared and contrasted family systems and the disease model of alcoholism. The panel favored the use of a "hands on" approach to training, with emphasis on interaction with actual alcohol and drug abusing cases. Although subgroups of panelists disagreed as to whether or not integration was appropriate, they stressed the need for trainees to understand the pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses of both the disease and family systems models. Family systems models were generally seen as more flexible, and as providing additional leverage for change for the alcoholic. It is recommended that future research in this area seek to validate the efficacy of the specified training techniques, and to further clarify the similarities and differences between those individuals who teach integration, and those who teach separation of the family systems and disease model of alcoholism.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Sprenkle, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology|Curricula|Teaching|Social work
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