Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy最新文献

The present article explores the Bowen family systems theory (BFST) view that a mental disorder such as borderline personality disorder (BPD) is not a dysfunction occurring within an individual but a maladjustment of the family emotional system. A case study is presented illustrating how the emotional process moves between individuals within a family system so that when relationship processes become severely compromised, one member absorbs more of the stress, becoming vulnerable to acute symptoms. It is proposed that the use of a BFST approach with a client presenting with panic anxiety and low mood may have contributed to the lowering of symptom intensity for a sibling of the client. It appears that the client's work on her part in the relationship disturbances between her, her mother, father, and sister contributed to decreasing BPD symptoms in her sister and an improvement in overall family functioning. Therefore, the differentiating effort of one family member seemed to have a ripple effect on the whole family system. Shifting the theoretical lens from an individual-medico-diagnostic one to a BFST one sheds light on how all family members are expressions of a family organism and players in the symptoms emerging in one.

This paper attempts to address the uncertainty of some non-Western learners about the applicability of Bowen theory to Asian culture, as the theory was developed out of research on Western families and stresses defining self. Scepticism is due to the commonly held view that Asian families are collectivistic while Western families are more individualistic. This paper reviews the basic tenets of Bowen theory and its underlying premise that families are regulated by emotional processes that also operate in all living beings, that is, biological and universal. Bowen theory studies the emotional processes of families and how they react to anxiety. Viewed in this way, the theory certainly can be a useful framework for understanding family and enhancing family functioning, regardless of culture, ethnicity, and geography. The paper further discusses the use of Bowen theory in working with Asian families and Asian women, with case illustrations in enhancing mature and flexible practice of cultural values and increasing differentiation of self.

The first article for the March issue is ‘It's a magnifying glass for your relationship: a thematic analysis of motivations, benefits, and challenges in consensually non-monogamous relationships’ by Rebecca Codrington and Daniel du Plooy from Sydney, Australia. This qualitative study explores the ‘motivations, benefits, and challenges’ of consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationships. It identifies three overarching themes: mononormativity and cultural norms; growth and responsibility; and diversity and complexity, each with several subthemes. The challenges of CNM relationships are discussed as well as strategies for managing emotions and ending a relationship for security reasons; for some participants, there was a need to unlearn internalised cultural norms that idealise monogamy. Given the CNM community is comparable to the size of the LGBTQI community and growing, it is time for relationship therapists to address biases and to develop their clinical expertise.

The second paper is ‘Black Rain: a Kaupapa Māori (a Māori approach) to addressing family violence and intergenerational trauma’ by Fay Pouesi from Auckland, New Zealand, and Rosemary Dewerse from Adelaide, South Australia. It presents a Māori approach called ‘Black Rain’ (Kaupapa) that helps men and women to break the cycles of intergenerational violence and trauma within their families. This is built on three elements: recognition and reconnection; acknowledgement of the whole family context; and a spiritual lens. Visual tools like genograms are used to highlight the generational impact of violence. Black Rain is illustrated through the work and learning of a Māori practitioner and two of her colleagues using a composite case study, and the authors note its benefits for helping both victims and perpetrators.

The next article is ‘Co-research interview—collaborative way to learn from experience’ by Eija-Liisa Rautiainen and Aino Maija Rautkallio from Helsinki, Finland. Developed by Tom Andersen and colleagues, the co-research interview, otherwise known as a post-therapy or follow-up interview, is a collaborative way of evaluating therapy outcomes that draws on the experiences of both clients and professionals. The authors describe how the interview is structured, conducted, and applied, and reflect on its use in therapy and post-therapy contexts as well as in live supervision, training, and research.

The fourth article is ‘Therapeutic crisis intervention for families: an investigation of caregiver perceptions and experiences’ by Sarah George and colleagues from Perth, Australia. The therapeutic crisis intervention for families (TCI-F) is a parent training program that has been applied globally to help caregivers deal with children in crisis. This seminal qualitative research study investigates the factors that underlie its effective implementation and describes the experiences of participants. It finds that caregivers could successfully de-escalate and manage crisis

Opie, J.E., McHale, J.P., Fonagy, P., Lieberman, A., Duschinsky, R., Keren, M. et al. (2023) Including the infant in family therapy and systemic practice: charting a new frontier. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 44, 554–564. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1567.

The affiliation ‘Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia’ has been added to Dr Campbell Paul, alongside his existing two affiliations.

We apologise for this error.

In domestic violence (DV), the deterioration of parental skills in mothers, increased stress levels and child behaviour issues are the most common problems. In DV, the way to cope with the difficulties encountered is to strengthen relationships within the family. In this study, we aimed to reduce maternal stress levels and problematic child behaviours and increase the child acceptance level in children who have witnessed domestic violence (WDV) with child–parent relationship therapy (CPRT). This study is a randomized controlled study with pretest–posttest intervention and control groups. In the study, 20 mothers were in the intervention group, and 18 were in the control group. A 10-week CPRT-focused training program was applied to the intervention group. After the training of the mothers in the intervention group was completed, 2-h training on communication skills was given to the mothers in the control group. The data include parents' reports through three surveys: the Parenting Stress Index (PSI), the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Parental Form (PAR) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). In the study, it was determined in the group comparisons that the total scores of PSI, PAR and SDQ significantly reduced between the application and pre-application terms for the intervention group (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the control group (p > 0.05). The results highlight the benefits and importance of including both mothers and children in therapeutic interventions for children who have WDV, with particular emphasis on CPRT benefits.

Umberta Telfener is a highly respected figure known for her diverse contributions to various facets of family and systemic therapy. Her leadership style has earned her a reputation as somewhat of a ‘cultural anthropologist,’ reflecting her aptitude for creating connections, establishing relationships, and developing partnerships. Her unique ‘Umberta style’ is known for boundless energy, active leadership, and fierce commitment to challenging the status quo. Despite being in office for just a year at the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA), Umberta has conceived and developed numerous projects, establishing networks with practitioners, and systemic thinkers across the world. Rooted in classical philosophical training, her pursuit aligns with the systematic study of fundamental questions about existence, reason, knowledge, value, mind, and language. Umberta's role reminds one of a ‘Chasqui,’ a Quechua term for a ‘messenger,’ which aptly describes her agile networking skills. She actively communicates and shares vital messages, supporting the international community of systemic practitioners. This paper is based on an in-person conversation held in July 2023 at Umberta's country home in Tuscany. Our discussion delves into her extensive professional experience, from training at the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, being mentored by Boscolo and Cecchin in Milan, to her leadership role as the current EFTA president. Umberta reflects on early pioneers who influenced her thinking and her impactful work with systems.

The Ackerman Institute for the Family, established in 1960 by Dr Nathan Ackerman, stands as one of the oldest and most respected family therapy institutes in the United States. Ackerman pioneered the integration of systemic insights into group settings, emphasised the crucial role of family in therapy, and advocated for the advancement and acceptance of family therapy. ‘The Ackerman’ played a pivotal role in launching Family Process, the first journal dedicated to academic activities in family therapy. Diversity and inclusion have been central tenets of Ackerman philosophy, evident in its programs, training courses, and staff composition. This commitment has produced a veritable cadre of family therapy leaders who have contributed significantly to both the Ackerman Institute and the profession, influencing policy decisions and clinical practices. One of the most esteemed and respected thought leaders and innovators of our field, who played a vital role in the legacy of several institutions, including the Ackerman, is Dr. Evan Imber-Black. She served as a long-time faculty member and director of the Ackerman Center for Families and Health. Her expertise encompasses the exploration of family rituals and family secrets, with a focus on the importance of rituals in providing meaning, identity, and connection across diverse cultures and family life cycles. As editor of Family Process for 8 years, she highlights the importance of examining scholarly work in the context of cultures as a requirement – we do not stand outside the culture – we are active participants. This paper is based on a conversation with Dr Evan Imber-Black, held in June 2023, delving into her personal and professional experiences, her connection to the Ackerman Institute, and her influential work on family rituals and secrets. Through this exploration, the paper sheds light on her commitment to diversity and the lasting impact of Dr Imber-Black's contributions to family therapy.

Several Euro-American approaches to couple and family therapy have been instrumental in promoting successful practice of couple and family therapy in continental Africa. This article, however, describes one instance in which an African couple's distress of one-dimensional fertility could not be resolved by drawing solely from the Euro-American family therapy tradition. One-dimensional fertility is defined as a crisis that arises in conditions of sonlessness or daughterlessness in a marriage, that is, in situations where there are only male or female children born to the marriage. The use of medical intervention through the prescription of drugs often worsens rather than enhances the psychological well-being of couples who suffer from the distress of one-dimensional fertility. Therefore, it is considered beneficial to encourage the development and recognition of psychological literature that suggests what to be done to control such a distress without recourse to the use of medication or the complicated and sensitive procedure of in vitro fertilisation. The article suggests that the leading intervention package for attending to the challenge of couples with the distress of one-dimensional fertility entails the exercise of inducting them into the principles and practice of the fertility awareness-based method of family planning known as the billings ovulation method that is in harmony with the African cultural perspective.

Child and adolescent-to-parent violence and abuse (CAPVA) refers to abusive and violent behaviours by children towards their parents or primary caregivers. The abuse and harmful behaviours can include a full range of physical, emotional, verbal, financial, and material actions over prolonged periods of time, from childhood to young adulthood. Parents and caregivers of children with neuro-developmental conditions are vulnerable to CAPVA, and little research has been undertaken exploring the experiences of caregivers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). In Aotearoa New Zealand, 56 caregivers were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, and over half identified significant levels and impacts of CAPVA, including dealing with physical violence and frequent emotional abuse. Health and stress issues were present in all caregivers interviewed. Caregivers also identified how systemic ignorance and a lack of understanding from caring professionals led to parent blaming, a sense of shame and isolation. Yet, caregivers also showed resilience and implemented strategies of de-escalation and distraction. More specialised practice is needed in this emerging field of family violence and in how to support families with children who have FASD.

Co-research interview developed by Tom Andersen and colleagues is a collaborative way of evaluating therapeutic processes that value the experiences of both clients and professionals. This article describes our experiences and thoughts on this interview method. We present the interview structure and give suggestions on how to conduct the interview. We also present applications of the interview method and engage in a dialogue among ourselves about our experiences with these interviews.