A. E. Sidis, A. R. Moore, J. A. Pickard, V. M. Bairstow, F. P. Deane
{"title":"Relational Reflexivity in Dialogical Family Therapy: Exploring Linguistic Practices and Responses in Reflecting Team Dialogues","authors":"A. E. Sidis, A. R. Moore, J. A. Pickard, V. M. Bairstow, F. P. Deane","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70017","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Dialogical and collaborative approaches for mental health crises have become increasingly popular worldwide. Although many of the ideas taken up in dialogical therapy, such as Tom Andersen's reflecting team, are widely practiced, little is known about how this practice supports relational reflexivity during dialogical meetings with families. This study used Systemic Functional Linguistics to explore reflecting team dialogues and the immediate responses of family members during 14 Open Dialogue network meetings. We found markers of reflective and dialogical interactions including the presence of mental processes expressed as spatial metaphors; epistemic modality to invite perspectives; and expressions that expand on themes in the families' talk. In the moments immediately after team reflections, network members took up these metaphors, moved into broader contextual reflections, and used language that acknowledged multiple viewpoints. These results offer insights into how dialogical therapies may support interpersonal reflection, recovery, and healing.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145887204","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Catherine Butler, Chloe Constable, Jon Crossley, Hannah Hewson, Trish Joscelyne, Tom O'Neill, Samantha Oulton, Helen Pote
{"title":"The Reliability and Validity of the Systemic Practice Scale","authors":"Catherine Butler, Chloe Constable, Jon Crossley, Hannah Hewson, Trish Joscelyne, Tom O'Neill, Samantha Oulton, Helen Pote","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70015","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Competency-based training is thought to increase standards of therapist practice. The Systemic Practice Scale (SPS) has been developed to measure student competence in systemic therapy. Two studies were conducted to test the reliability and validity of this scale by using student data across three different UK training sites. Reliability was assessed by checking consistency in scoring across training sites and comparing data across year groups, with an expectation that competencies would improve over time. The factorial validity was assessed by examining the factor structure and internal consistency of the scale from data collected at one training site over seven years. The results of the studies indicate that the SPS holds construct validity, as student scores increased over time, and that the scale measures a single dominant construct. However, there was a difference in scoring across sites which linked to whether the SPS was used for assessment or feedback only.</p>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1467-6427.70015","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145845763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kamakshi Sabharwal, Dinesh Chhabra, J. Kim Penberthy
{"title":"Three Good Things Intervention for Parent–Child Relationship: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial","authors":"Kamakshi Sabharwal, Dinesh Chhabra, J. Kim Penberthy","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70016","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Parent–child relationships observe many changes when adolescents grow up to be young adults. The Three Good Things intervention has been used in different contexts (e.g., couples' relationships) but not much in different relationship contexts such as parent–child relationships. Therefore, the present study aimed to adapt the ‘Three Good Things’ intervention for parent and adult child relationships and study its impact on the parent–child relationship. Intervention design (pre, post, and follow-up) having two groups—intervention group (<i>n</i> = 32 pairs) and control group (<i>n</i> = 30 pairs) was utilised to study the intervention's impact on parent–child closeness, relationship, parental stress, emotional involvement and perceived criticism. Participants were college students (18–24 years old) and any one of their parents. The results of the study report that the intervention did not have any significant impact but resulted in a slight improvement in the relationship. The findings support the need for further studies applying this intervention in the context of parent–child relationships on varied children groups.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145751015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Family Therapy Intervention and the ‘Real Problem’ of an Eating Disorder: Implications for a Systemic Philosophy of Practice","authors":"Mary Donovan, Joel W. T. Khor","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70010","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Family therapy intervention for eating disorders has deep roots in family therapy discourse and its evolution is closely entwined with wider developments in the history of family therapy over the past fifty years. In this paper we argue that this family therapy intervention holds seminal insights for longstanding debates within family therapy well beyond the domain of eating disorders. These relate to the limits of any exclusive social constructionist framing of family therapy and particularly that relating to our engagement with external reality. We draw on the paradigm of family therapy intervention with the ‘real problem’ of an eating disorder to make this case. The paper considers the potential in co-constructivism and critical realism to expand our theoretical lens beyond social constructionism, to draw out and help formulate a systemic philosophy of practice encompassing the knowledge, expertise and values that underpin our work and based on which we inevitably take a position on reality whether this remains implicit or preferably is acknowledged and made available for reflexive critique.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Social–Emotional Abilities, Relationship Commitment, and Romantic Relationship Quality in Married Relationships: Structural Equation Modelling","authors":"Cheolwoo Park, Victor W. Harris","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70007","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Grounded in the Social–Emotional Ability Development (SEAD) framework, this study examined how social–emotional abilities are associated with romantic relationship quality, consisting of relationship satisfaction, positive interaction, and emotional bonds, with relationship commitment as a mediating factor. Structural equation modelling was conducted with data from 1268 married individuals to test direct and indirect effects. Findings revealed that social–emotional abilities were positively associated with romantic relationship quality, and commitment significantly mediated this association. Individuals with great emotional awareness, regulation, and empathy reported strong dedication to commitment, which in turn enhanced relationship outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of social–emotional development in sustaining healthy relationships. Because social–emotional abilities can be cultivated throughout the lifespan, they represent meaningful targets for prevention and intervention. Moreover, relationship quality has spillover effects on the psychological and relational well-being of couples and their children; the findings offer practical implications for marriage and family counselling, psychoeducation, and relational health programs.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"48 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Trihy, Peter Stratton, Aideen Kieran, Patricia Starken, Hannah Sherbersky, Melanie Shepherd, Michael Galbraith, Naureen Whittinger, Valeria Pomini, Kunsang Yang Yang, Finiki Nearchou, Alan Carr
{"title":"Further Validation of the Systemic Clinical Outcome Routine Evaluation for Couples (C-SCORE)","authors":"Laura Trihy, Peter Stratton, Aideen Kieran, Patricia Starken, Hannah Sherbersky, Melanie Shepherd, Michael Galbraith, Naureen Whittinger, Valeria Pomini, Kunsang Yang Yang, Finiki Nearchou, Alan Carr","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70008","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study employed a mixed-methodssecondary data analysis to further validate the Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation for Couples (C-SCORE), a routine outcome measure (ROM) designed for assessment, treatment planning and outcome monitoring in couple therapy. Using existing survey data from an international community sample of individuals in committed relationships (<i>N</i> = 300, mean age = 41.61, 49% females), both quantitative scores and responses to two embedded open-ended qualitative questions from the C-SCORE were analysed. Reflexive thematic analyses of the qualitative responses revealed that individuals in the highest C-SCORE quartiles tended to describe their relationships more positively and perceived their problems as less negatively impactful on relational functioning. Quantitative ratings of the positivity of relationship descriptions and the perceived impact of relational problems were significantly correlated with the C-SCORE's quantitative scales. This study provides further validation of the C-SCORE, as a routine outcome measure for use in couple therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"47 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1467-6427.70008","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145619140","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rebuilding After Divorce Group Intervention Program: An Analysis of Its Effectiveness on Divorce Adjustment Levels of Individuals in Türkiye","authors":"Bircan Altunkeser","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70006","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigates the effectiveness of Fisher's Rebuilding After Divorce Program on divorce adjustment levels in Türkiye. A pre-test, post-test, follow-up control group design with matched groups was used. Sixteen individuals, divorced within 5 years and not in a romantic relationship, were randomly assigned to groups matched by time since divorce. The experimental group underwent the Fisher program online. Data were collected through Fisher Divorce Adjustment Scale—Short Form. Mann–Whitney <i>U</i> test was used to test the significance of differences between groups, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess within-group differences. A significant improvement in the experimental group's post-test scores was found, with no significant differences between post-test and follow-up measurements. A significant difference was found between post-test scores of the experimental and control groups. The findings are discussed in relation to existing literature, and recommendations are made.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"47 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145521900","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Turkish Version of the Mindfulness in Couple Relationships Scale: Validity, Reliability and Psychometric Properties","authors":"Ayşe Aslantürk, Coşkun Arslan, Tolga Seki","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70005","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Research on mindfulness within couple relationships is rapidly increasing; however, many studies tend to overlook its multi-dimensional nature. Assessing relational mindfulness through various components may offer valuable insights for both researchers and couples. This study aimed to adapt the multi-dimensional and context-specific Mindfulness in Couple Relationships Scale (MCRS) for a Turkish sample and to examine its psychometric properties. The sample comprised 355 Turkish participants aged between 18 and 63 years. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the original eight-factor structure, which is consistent with the original scale. The MCRS demonstrated strong internal consistency (<i>α</i> = 0.90; <i>ω</i> = 0.91). Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between the MCRS, trait mindfulness, and relationship quality. These findings suggest that the Turkish version of the MCRS is a valid and reliable assessment tool for measuring multiple facets of mindfulness in romantic relationships.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"47 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145366514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adapting Practice to Culture in Eating Disorders of Children and Adolescents: A Literature Review","authors":"Dominique Muhumuza, Gurkiran Birdi","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70004","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Research has shown that individuals from an ethnic minority background in the United Kingdom are less likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder and therefore receive treatment. As this has been highlighted as an area that needs to be addressed to reduce the duration of untreated illness, it is important to explore the research around how best to adapt practice and services to reduce the duration of untreated illness and intervene earlier to pursue a better outcome. This literature review focused on the four eating disorders and treatments outlined in the NICE Guidelines for under 18s. The initial search offered 231; however, once filtered, 61 papers were considered. Following reading the title and abstract, 28 papers were examined. Finally, 9 explored ED interventions within our population. The findings are discussed in detail, and recommendations for services and further research are suggested, such as further research into CBT-E (a NICE recommended intervention) within different cultures, how to help clinicians consider how to respect culture and beliefs through recovery, and what cultural adaptations need to be made to therapy to provide effective support for increasingly culturally diverse populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"47 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1467-6427.70004","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145111193","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Systemic Approaches to Loyalty and Polarisation. Revisiting Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy's Ideas in a Contemporary Context","authors":"Chris Ward","doi":"10.1111/1467-6427.70002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.70002","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>When conflicted couples and families adopt polarised positions, constructive dialogue ceases. Racism, sexism, and other forms of polarisation have the same silencing effects in the public domain. This paper views polarisation through the lens of loyalty. It outlines a systemic approach to polarised defensiveness that combines constructionist perspectives, positioning, and the relational ethics of Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy (Nagy). Loyal partisanship can be understood in terms of Valeria Ugazio's semantic polarities. Polarisation is likely in Melanie Klein's ‘paranoid-schizoid’ position, where loyalty is defensive and unquestioning. In contrast, Eve Kofosky-Sedgwick describes a reparative position that invites curiosity. Nagy suggests that curiosity about an opponent's values and loyalties will reveal relational obligations and entitlements, including the destructive sense of entitlement that may underlie aggression and violence. Curiosity is a necessary precondition for a dialogue in which each opposing party is fully ‘present’ and able to offer each other the consideration they have earned.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":51575,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Therapy","volume":"47 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.9,"publicationDate":"2025-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145102050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}