Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy最新文献

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.

The Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (TCI-F) program aims to equip caregivers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to deal with crisis situations involving their children. Despite the program's global dissemination, its influence on predictors of intervention uptake and caregiver experience is not understood. We therefore sought to investigate the changes in determinants of implementation behaviour from pre- to post-TCI-F. These include knowledge, confidence, and intention to implement new strategies, beliefs about consequences that implementation would be beneficial, beliefs that change was part of one's social role, and a sense of having sufficient resources and support. In addition, we sought to understand the experiences of program participation. Caregivers who participated in TCI-F were invited to complete questionnaires about determinants of implementation behaviour before and after the program. They were also invited to complete a questionnaire about their experiences attending TCI-F. One hundred fifty-five participants completed questionnaires. Significant improvements were found in all determinants of implementation behaviour. Caregivers reported improved knowledge about program strategies, a belief that this was part of their role, confidence and capability in managing crises, beliefs that implementation will be beneficial, intentions to implement learned strategies, and a sense of being provided with sufficient resources and support. Additionally, participants reported high levels of satisfaction, hope for the future, improved coping, and overall well-being following the program. Qualitative responses supported these findings and revealed that many participants expressed a wish that the program was available sooner and that additional maintenance support was available. Findings support the use of TCI-F and indicate that this is a promising intervention for caregivers who are struggling to cope with the crisis behaviours of their children. As this is the first published empirical investigation of TCI-F, avenues for further research are identified.

This participatory research project highlighted the views and experiences of young people who are the brothers and sisters of children and young people who have experienced child sexual abuse. By working with young people who had experienced sexual abuse and their siblings, this practitioner research sought to give these young people a voice. The research involved a group process with young people who have experienced sexual abuse and have siblings, and one-to-one online consultations with the brothers and sisters of young people who have experienced abuse. All the young people spoke of their sibling and family relationships as unique and requiring unique responses to these relationships by services and health-care professionals. Siblings’ needs in the aftermath of a child sexual abuse discovery are often overlooked. This research describes how just as children who have experienced sexual abuse may feel anger, fear, guilt, shame, anxiety, and confusion, so do their siblings. Brothers and sisters of young people who have experienced sexual abuse describe significant relational trauma with intense emotional experiences of isolation, confusion, sadness, and anger. There is a real need to support young people and families to find words and develop capacities to talk about child sexual abuse -- a need to find supportive ways to speak about what has occurred and understand its impact on all. The study clearly demonstrated the significant level of need and impact on brothers and sisters of young people who have experienced sexual abuse.

For this special issue, we sought perspectives on the contributions of the infant to their family's development, including recovery from intergenerational trauma and the contribution of the family to the infant's relational security. This special issue features a series of 12 invited papers from a diverse group of professionals, including infant mental health specialists, Indigenous and non-Indigenous family therapists, academic family therapy teaching staff, and developmental psychology and systemic researchers. The contributions span several methodologies – ranging from curated conversations and qualitative research to conceptual insights, theoretical discussions, intervention reports, and new intergenerational empirical data. Through this editorial, we provide a brief overview of the collective works, spotlighting the invaluable synergistic contributions that infant mental health and family therapy approaches provide, while highlighting the untapped potential at their intersection.

This paper shares a far-ranging set of conversations between professors Jennifer McIntosh, Louise Newman, and Carol George, all child and family practitioners, and infant mental health (IMH) and attachment specialists. They explore the domain of infant–family work with high-risk populations experiencing complex relational and intergenerational trauma. George and McIntosh discuss the intersection between family therapy and IMH from an attachment perspective. They explore what family therapy can offer to supporting coherence in caregiving states of mind, beyond the offerings of traditional dyadic mother–baby models of intervention. They highlight the infant's contribution to family work, and the application of attachment theory in a family therapy context. Newman and McIntosh discuss a sensitive and graded approach to high-risk family work with an infant. Newman reflects on when and whom to invite to a family session and the power of enabling the family to speak the unspeakable in the presence of the baby, supporting a future focused path for trauma integration and recovery. For family therapists who may be new to IMH work, there are some important offerings about integrating these fields, bringing into play the family therapist's deep grasp of curiosity, circularity, and capacity to reconceptualise with an IMH perspective on early relational trauma.