Browsing by Subject "Family psychotherapy"
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Item Acceptability of alternative treatments for adults(Texas Tech University, 1987-05) Shaw, David BrianTreatment acceptability of various psychotherapies was examined in this study. The responses of clients undergoing psychotherapy were compared to practicing psychologists and community representatives. In order to investigate treatment acceptability, all subjects were presented with a case description of a distressed adult. Four treatment approaches were evaluated: cognitive behavioral, client-centered, family systems, and psychodynamic therapy. Treatments were randomly presented in a 2(Case) X 3(Sample) X 4(Psychotherapy) split plot factorial design. Results indicate that cognitive behavior therapy and client-centered therapy were rated more positively by all three subject groups on at least one of the treatment acceptability measures. Clients rated all treatments more favorably than did practicing psychologists. Methodological limitations are discussed, and future research directions in this area are presented. Description of the development and validation of two treatment acceptability measures are included in Appendices.Item An evaluation of a family based drug abuse prevention program(Texas Tech University, 1987-05) Mullen, Robert FThe purpose of this study was to design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a twelve hour family drug education (FDE) program directed toward adolescent drug abusers and their families. The primary goal of the program was to reduce the use of drugs as measured by urinalyses. The secondary goals were to increase the communication and social skills identified by prior research as being instrumental in preventing or reducing drug abuse and drug-related behavior. A two group, pretest/posttest design was used to evaluate the results. Program strengths included involvement of the total family, a relatively short duration, and the inclusion of different ethnic groups. The FDE program emphasized two main areas. The first included information concerning drug abuse including symptoms, the etiology of addiction, and family interventions. The second included the teaching of communication skills, awareness of self and others, conflict management, assertiveness, and negotiation techniques. Results were analyzed by a repeated measures analysis of covariance. The hypotheses predicted a significant decrease in drug use and increased social skills for the FDE group when compared to scores of an adolescent discussion group of equal duration. The hypotheses were not supported. However, several means increased at posttest for both groups, possibly indicating that both approaches could be strengthened and directed toward selected populations. After controlling for ethnicity, minority group members scored competitively on several posttests measures although no special procedures were adopted for families whose first language was not English. Other control variables included gender, type of family (both parents or mother only), previous involvement with the law, referral source (juvenile probation or school administrators), and whether or not the adolescent had prior therapy. Controlling for these variables did not affect results. Comparing the results of this study to previous studies which achieved positive results in curtailing drug abuse, leads to three recommendations for modifying the FDE program: (1) Increase the number of sessions with additional time being allotted to the practicing of the social skills emphasized in the FDE program; (2) Implement the program at an earlier life-cycle development stage; and (3) Increase the flexibility of the program by adopting a structure more closely resembling a group family therapy approach.Item An experimental study of the effect of observation on family interaction(Texas Tech University, 1973-05) Allen, Ronald EdwinNot availableItem An initial examination of interpersonal family therapy for children with depression and/or anxiety(Texas Tech University, 2004-05) Eskridge, Laura KurtasThe present study evaluated the effectiveness of Interpersonal Family Therapy with two pre-adolescent children (aged 8 to 9 years) using a replicated, single-subject time series design. One participant reported elevated symptoms of depression and average symptoms of anxiety at pre-treatment while the second participant met DSM-IV (APA, 1994) diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Prior to treatment, and at two-month intervals throughout treatment, participants and their families completed measures designed to assess psychological symptomatology, cognitive functioning, interpersonal functioning, adaptive behavior, and family functioning. Participants and their families also completed idiographic measures semi-weekly prior to, during, and following treatment. Bi-monthly measures were completed throughout treatment and 2, 4, and 6 months post-treatment. Clinically reliable change was observed post-treatment on child-rated nomothetic measures of depression, anxiety, and competence for both participants. Parent-rated measures also exhibited clinically reliable change for some measures of child and parent symptoms. Two IFT components, the Cognitive Functioning Component and the Family Functioning Component appeared to exert positive effects on measures assessing their targeted construct. The Cognitive Functioning Component and the Interpersonal Functioning Component, moreover, appeared to exert positive effects on constructs not targeted by the components, respectively. A few measures, either in a lagged or concurrent relationship, predicted symptom scores for both participants. Specifically, for one participant, family issues predicted child generalized anxiety, as rated by both the participant and his grandmother. For the second participant, ratings of social skills and thinking errors were important predictors of child anxiety. Results have implications for treatment and treatment outcome researchItem Development of a multi-team multi-perspective model of therapy(Texas Tech University, 1987-08) Johnson, Rhonda KingThis paper presents a narrative of the development of a multi-level multi-perspective model of therapy. The model was based on two of Bateson's concepts, double description and multiple levels of recursion. The traditional team approach to therapy was expanded by adding an additional team behind a one-way mirror. This additional team was able to observe the family/therapist system and the therapist/team system, and was able to interact with the therapist/team system. In addition to adding another team, the therapists were active participants in developing this model. The active participation of the therapists allowed for a model that best "fits" this therapeutic context. A narrative of the development of this model was created from: (1) diaries of the observations from this participant/observer; (2) transcribed audiotapes; (3) and interviews with participating therapists.Item Effects of couples' perceptions of genogram construction on therapeutic alliance and session impact: a growth curve analysis(Texas Tech University, 1998-12) Coupland, ScottPreliminary evidence of the predictive validity of therapeutic alliance to outcome in couple therapy has recently been empirically established. Clinicians have asserted that genogram construction is an effective method for building the therapist-client relationship and impacting specific aspects of therapy sessions. However, this claim had not been empirically tested in a therapeutic context. The purpose of this study was to examine how the construction of a therapist administered genogram (TAGE) or a self-administered genogram (SAGE) would affect the therapeutic alliance and the session character in couple therapy across time. Eight student marriage and family therapists conducting couple therapy with 17 couples administered a TAGE, SAGE, or control treatment intervention in the second therapy session. Clients' perceptions of therapeutic alliance and session impact were measured with the Couple Therapy Alliance Scale (CTAS, Pinsof, 1986) and the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ, Stiles, 1984; Stiles & Snow, 1984a), respectively, following the first five sessions. A growth curve analysis was used to investigate within-couple member growth trajectories for individual patterns of change on the CTAS and SEQ and their subdimensions, and between-couple growth trajectories for treatment group-based patterns of change on the CTAS and SEQ and their subdimensions. Also examined was whether the growth curves of couples who completed five sessions were different from couples who terminated therapy prior to completing five sessions, and if Pinsof and Catherall's (1986) concept of split alliance was identifiable. A series of simple regressions were conducted on mean CTAS and SEQ ratings. Inspection of individual growth curves revealed minimally positive slopes on both dependent variables for the sample as a whole. Results of one-way MANOVAs showed no significant differences in couple members' growth curves based either on their participation in one of the three treatment groups, or when they were divided into therapy completer and noncompleter groups. In other words, the efficacy of genogram construction to affect the therapeutic alliance or the depth and smoothness of sessions in early therapy was called into question. When Spearman's rho and Kendall's tau correlation coefficients were used to examine the associations between domains of CTAS and SEQ by treatment group, only the CTAS tasks subscale was positively correlated with the SEQ depth index in the SAGE plus couple therapy (-HCT) group. This finding indicated that couples who completed a SAGE related the therapist's understanding of, and methods for addressing their difficulties, with the "deep" work of therapy. Finally, a two-standard deviation rule was applied to differences in mean slope scores between couple members to evaluate the presence of a split alliance. When this rule was applied to differences in mean slope scores for the whole sample, six percent of the couples experienced a split alliance. When applied within treatment groups, 14% of couples in the TAGE+CT group and 13% of couples in the SAGE+CT group experienced a split alliance. Relatively few couples, therefore, had disparate attitudes regarding their alliance with their therapist. This result may have reflected a strength of genogram construction. When considered in light of the studies limitations, particularly a small sample size and data collection weaknesses, these findings, in general, do not support genogram construction as a method for building a therapeutic alliance or enhancing the depth and smoothness of early couple therapy. Recommendations were made for future genogram construction research.Item Family therapy with juvenile delinquents: impact of learning disabilities, antisocial attitudes, and family resources(Texas Tech University, 1993-08) Schreiner, Gary BStudies of the etiology of juvenile delinquency are usually limited to a linear or uni-directional model that ignores the interrelations of numerous factors. Using the transactional model of systems theory, this study examined the interrelations of various factors contributing to juvenile delinquency. Four main factors were hypothesized to be important in the etiology of delinquency: the personality of the child, family dynamics, biological attributes, and the cognitive ability of the juvenile. A sample of 74 juveniles were studied to predict their functioning 3-6 months after release from a residential facility. Poorer family functioning, rated by the probation officer 3-6 months after release, was predicted in a discriminant function analysis (DFA) by more referrals for assault, more infractions in the residential facility, fewer intangible family resources, and attendance at fewer than two family therapy sessions. Poorer child functioning, as rated by the probation officer 3-6 months after release, was predicted by more infractions in the facility, minority racial/ethnic status, and female gender. Earlier recidivism could be predicted by more infractions in the facility, lower income per family member, female gender, and participating in at least two sessions of family therapy (all adolescents included). When recidivism was predicted excluding those who did not commit an offense after release, the presence of a learning disability, participating in more than two sessions of family therapy, and female gender predicted earlier recidivism. There was evidence of gender and racial biases in the probation officer's ratings: minority adolescents and females tended to be rated as lower functioning, but minority status did not predict recidivism. Females were more likely to recidivate; however, their offenses were much less severe (i.e., runaway and truancy versus assault and burglary for males). The finding that greater participation in family therapy predicted earlier recidivism appears to be an artifact of facility policies. The staff members of the facility were more likely to strongly encourage the families of adolescents who were especially troublesome to participate in family therapy. Such adolescents were also held in the facility for a longer period of time, permitting more family therapy sessions to take place.Item Family Therapy with Lower Socioeconomic Juvenile Offenders: Engagement and Outcome(Texas Tech University, 1980-08) Hampshire, Peter Anthony JohnNot Available.Item From a child's perspective : how children in family therapy characterize their families and view therapeutic change(2001-12) De La Cruz, Maria Pura; Carlson, Cindy I., 1949; Valencia, Richard R.Item Managing dissensus in family therapy supervision: a conversation analysis(Texas Tech University, 1992-05) Ratliff, Dan AllenSupervision in marriage and family therapy can be seen as a collaborative effort between supervisors and trainees about the course and process of psychotherapy. Within such a view, it is central to be able to identify moments of dissensus, segments of talk in which participants appear to lack shared understanding or agreement, and to understand the process of working beyond dissensus to consensus. This descriptive observational study identified 120 episodes of dissensus from 23 supervision sessions involving 6 supervisors and 23 trainees. Episodes of dissensus were identified by two trained raters from audiotape and transcription. Qualitative analysis considered the antecedents, tactics, and consequences of the identified episodes. Assumptions are rooted in social influence theory and family systems theory. Dissensus emerges as supervisors seek to exert influence and fault finding regarding the trainee's clinical actions and as trainees seek to modify the supervisor's actions. Supervisors' fault finding and influence refer to assessments about the trainee's clinical actions and attempts to solicit change in future action. This study found 10 supervisory tactics of influence and fault finding. Trainees' responses attempt to minimize or qualify the supervisors' tactics by giving the impression of compliance or seeking to place compliance outside voluntary control. This study found 10 trainee modification tactics. Ambiguity is a consistent feature of talk in supervision. Supervisors' tactics ambiguate fault finding or influence. Trainees' tactics offer responses that are less than compliance, yet make noncompliance ambiguous. Of central interest to this study was how the episodes of dissensus were resolved. Participants almost never resolve dissensus with any strategies of remediation. This study found three strategies in which trainees and supervisors collaborated to pass over dissensus without reaching consensus about the matters they were discussing. Dangling dissensus characterizes most episodes of dissensus. The dissensus is left dangling as participants pass over the dissensus without reaching consensus or reaching an acceptable remediation. Three common tactics that create dangling dissensus are candidate remediation, supervisor monologue, and cut to next videotape, case, or trainee. Theoretical and practical implications relate to power and hierarchy in supervision and isomorphism with psychotherapy.Item Predicting recidivism in delinquent adolescents in an in-home family therapy program(Texas Tech University, 2002-08) Aguirre, CarmenNot availableItem Predicting retention in a filial therapy program(Texas Tech University, 2003-12) Topham, Glade LeGrandHigh rates of premature dropout from child psychotherapy programs are a concern for mental health professionals as well as researchers. Of primary concern is the number of children and families who are failing to receive the services they need. Additional concerns are that premature dropout leads to a reduction of treatment effectiveness and to weakened validity of treatment research. Unfortunately, efforts to identify the factors predicting premature dropout have yielded mixed and conflicting results. Furthermore, research has not yet investigated the predictors of dropout or retention for many child psychotherapy programs. This study examined the relationship between select client characteristics and retention in a short-term filial therapy program in order to identify important predictors of program retention. Filial therapy, developed by Bernard and Louise Guemey in the early 1960s, is a program targeting the parent-child relationship as a means for preventing or remediating child and/or family problems. A large amount of research has supported the effectiveness of filial therapy programs; however, previous research has not examined the predictors of program retention or dropout. The filial therapy program investigated in this study was provided at a university family therapy clinic and included 10 treatment sessions conducted in an individual family treatment format. Parents (N = 27) and children were recruited through schools, family court judges, and community mental health agencies and were included in the study if the child was between the ages of 2 and 10 and if the parent had full or joint custody of the child. It was expected that parents and children would attend a greater number of treatment sessions if (a) Parents were Caucasian, (b) Parents had less severe symptoms of stress, (c) Parents had a lower socioeconomic status (as measured by income and education), (d) Children had less severe behavioral problems, and (e) Parents were more accepting of their child's emotions. The results indicated that less severe parent symptoms of stress and less severe child behavior problems were significantly related to retention in the program. Results point to the importance of directly addressing parent distress and child behavior problems early in treatment.Item Pursuing a therapeutic agenda: conversation analysis of a marital therapy session(Texas Tech University, 1989-05) Gale, Jerry Edward.Item (Re- )searching (therapeutic) discourse: the heterological play of dialogue(Texas Tech University, 1988-05) Daelmans, SvenThis dissertation is an attempt to unravel and unearth—an archaeological enterprise—the tacit/traditional assumptions underwriting contemporary thinking on family therapy. Throughout the present "text" these rhetorical veils are exchanged for suggestion for a more humanistic "form" of "therapy" based upon dialogue and an ethic of heterology. It is argued that a heightened awareness of the rhetoripolitical maneuvers of occultation undergirding our theoretical practices and our practical theories might prove to be "an antidote against the inherent cruelty of therapy" (Maranhao) and will, inevitably, account for a "change" in how we do what we (do not) do. Therefore, five rhetorically effaced roots are examined in their tacit interanimations: (a) the hegemony of the meta-narrative of (scientific) method; (b) the hegemony of the meta-narrative of dehistorised time; (c) the hegemony of the meta-narrative of visualism; (d) the hegemony of mimesis; and (e) the hegemony of autonomy. In this vein, the dissertation splits into two halves, i.e., a first section on epistemology and hermeneutics and a second section on the "discourse of the Gather." A first section constitutes of an examination of how the dialogical interactions of psychotherapeutic "talk" have been replaced by a unilateral (and often decontextualized) application of meta-communicational theories on therapeutic form, whether these theories are systemic or psychoanalytical. It is examined how this practice can be replaced by the archetypal "format" of a Socratic dialogue as has been explicated by Gadamer and Maranhao: instead of the application of Method to communicational practice, it is suggested that the chronotopic features of the therapeutic context actively resist their encapsulation by any scientific harness, but that they, in contrast, present the therapist with a challenge for a recursive dialogue of "becoming" (Whitaker). Furthermore, it is shown how the recent epistemological preoccupations with "radical constructivism" are also vulnerable to similar rhetorical roots, and can, hence, be deconstructed as the expression of a logocentric tradition (Derrida). A second section examines how therapeutic discourse, as a linguistic practice, can be characterized as polyphony of heteroglot voices which interilluminate the internal dialogue of language (Bakhtin). It is argued that therapeutic discourse presents a context of a highly stylized architectonic of diverse languages and voices, which can never be fully excavated and heard, as the unsaid (of common sense) provides the essential background for the "activity" of the therapeutic dialogue. As a result, the therapeutic task becomes—with Lacan—one of "respons-ability," i.e., the ethical duty to reflect the discursive resonances of the utterance of the Other in order to reach a new level of Self-knowledge. Based upon these considerations, therapeutic discourse is examined from a dialogical perspective, in which the rhetoric of the monologism of therapeutic theories is replaced by a recursive rhetoric of self-persuasion and readiness. In this vein, a "discursive therapy" (a "mis"nomer to be sure) is suggested as a practice beyond the referentiality of language. Indeed, the postmodern emphasis on a sea of intertextuality as an ecosystemic logosphere, opens up the way for a therapeutic weaving of a hyperrealistic liologram of discursive in(ter)ventions waiting for their particular concatenation by the dialogical interlocutors. As such, therapeutic discourse is the most direct expression of the ethic of heterology, as only the dialogue with the Other can serve as the immediate catalyst for the therapeutic, i.e., discursive, transformations. This implies that the fluidity of the therapeutic dialogue and its discursive features actively resist the cryogenic operations of nomothetic understanding, and always remains an "existential" pro-ject.Item Solution-focused home-based family therapy for delinquent adolescents: an outcome study(Texas Tech University, 1995-05) Shumway, Sterling T.Not availableItem The effects of post-divorce family therapy on children(Texas Tech University, 2000-05) Marotta, Antonio BernardThe purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of systemic family therapy in alleviating the negative effects of divorce on children. Eleven post-divorce families from in and around a southwestern city of 200,000 were recruited. Each participating family consisted of at least one child from the age of 8-16 years and the custodial parent. Each child completed a demographic survey, the Child Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI). Each parent completed a demographic survey and the Child Behavior CheckList (CBCL). A mixed-design MANOVA was conducted, using the pre-therapy (Ti), post-therapy (T2), and approximate 4-week follow-up (T3) data. The overall effect of time was significant and ANOVAs indicated significant positive changes in depression, self-esteem, internalized and externalized problem behavior. Only social competency showed no significant positive change. A Reliable Change Index was also conducted and indicated significant positive changes in depression, self-esteem, internalized and externalized problem behavior.Item The shape of context: implications of Bateson's aesthetics for family therapy(Texas Tech University, 1987-05) Morris, James PhillipThis dissertation attempts to readdress some of Gregory Bateson's fundamental ideas and connect them formally to aesthetics. These formal understandings are critically applied to the field of family therapy. The structure of the work follows a historical patterning of Bateson's writing and influence. Following the Introduction, Chapter 2 outlines Bateson's epistemological foundation for understanding aesthetics. Several major ideas proposed by Bateson are described and related to his call for an aesthetic preference. In this regard, Bateson has stated, "By aesthetic I mean responsive to the pattern which connects." Chapter 3 provides a thorough review of the conference "Size and Shape in Mental Health," held in 1979 and principally organized by Bateson. The conference addressed the dialectic nature of size and shape, of quantity and quality, of pragmatics and aesthetics. Following the review, a discussion focuses on linking these complex ideas to the notion of aesthetics. Chapter 4 formally reviews the debate about pragmatics and aesthetics in the field of family therapy. Much of this debate appeared in two issues of the 1982 volume of Family Process. Many have called these issues family therapy's darkest moment, yet the appearance of recent articles which continue the debate only point to the vitality of the discussion. Finally, Chapter 5 presents implications of Bateson's aesthetics for family therapy. Near the end of his life, Bateson began to explore the notions of aesthetics, shape, and pattern. Bateson had planned to unite a book entitled, "where Angels Fear to Tread," indicating his deep respect for these sacred notions. The works of Wendell Berry, Gary Snyder, and Steve Tyler are introduced as metaphors of action for family therapy, and living itself.Item Therapy with substance abusing adolescents and their families: a comparison of three treatment conditions(Texas Tech University, 1988-05) Thomas, Frank NResearch questions were raised regarding "recreational" substance use with an adolescent population. The purpose of this research was to determine which conjoint treatment modality was most effective in the treatment of adolescent substance abuse. Based on a review of the literature, three major treatment modalities have been utilized in the conjoint treatment of adolescent substance abuse: family therapy, adolescent group therapy, and educational groups. Because of the lack of comparative research, the specific aims of this outcome study were to assess the impact of family systems therapy (FST), traditional group therapy (TGT), and family life education (FLE) on the substance abusing behavior of adolescents and on the dynamics of the families of these adolescents. The family systems therapy (or FST) was based on strategic and structural family therapies. The traditional group therapy (or TGT) was representative of approaches currently used to treat adolescent substance abusers and was based on Adlerian psychology. Reality Therapy, and three models of social skills training. The family life education (or FLE) was educational in nature and consisted of information commonly disseminated in substance education programs. All three treatment conditions utilized a social unit as intervention; the differences appeared in both the theoretical formulations of the conditions as well as the pragmatic application of each modality. Based on past research with other problems that utilized family systems therapy, positive change was expected within the FST condition not only with the adolescent, but also within the family on various interactional levels. Specifically, several hypotheses were formulated predicting the FST to be significantly more effective than TGT and FLE in: (1) decreasing the use of substances among adolescent abusers; (2) improving subject families' overall satisfaction with family life; and (3) improving subject families' abilities to cope with internal and external stress. The research study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Joanning, Quinn, Fischer, and Arredondo, 1984) provided the source of outcome data utilized in this study and employed a pretest-posttest design. The relative impact of treatment was assessed through the use of chi-square analysis, analysis of covariance and, when appropriate, repeated measures analysis of variance. The primary analyses focused on the results of urinalyses taken at pretest and posttest on the identified patients (IPs) in each treatment condition and the IPs' written self-reports of substance use. No significant pre-post differences were found between treatment conditions on any of the hypotheses related to substance use. This may, however, have been an artifact of the data. Also, none of the hypotheses regarding family stress or satisfaction were supported. One hypothesis was supported: there was no differential dropout rate between groups. Several factors could be used to explain this result: sound theoretical conceptualization of treatment, careful administrative recruitment of subject families, and cautious inclusion criteria based on substance use level all may have contributed to this result. Based on the results, none of these variables (age of IP, gender of IP, race of parent[s], education level of parent[s], family income, relation to IP, grades, and number of parents in the household) can be used as reasons for excluding certain types of families from treatment. A conclusion from this is that there is no research justification for excluding families from any of these three treatment conditions because of race, education or any other variable listed above. Recommendations for future research include ethnographic research on family experiences with substance abuse and therapy, development of multiple indicators for the evaluation of outpatient, nonaddictive substance use, and the development of new models that combine elements from several treatment conditions for multiple impact on the presenting problems.Item Therapy with substance abusing adolescents and their families: a comparison of three treatment conditions(Texas Tech University, 1988-05) Thomas, Frank NResearch questions were raised regarding "recreational" substance use with an adolescent population. The purpose of this research was to determine which conjoint treatment modality was most effective in the treatment of adolescent substance abuse. Based on a review of the literature, three major treatment modalities have been utilized in the conjoint treatment of adolescent substance abuse: family therapy, adolescent group therapy, and educational groups. Because of the lack of comparative research, the specific aims of this outcome study were to assess the impact of family systems therapy (FST), traditional group therapy (TGT), and family life education (FLE) on the substance abusing behavior of adolescents and on the dynamics of the families of these adolescents. The family systems therapy (or FST) was based on strategic and structural family therapies. The traditional group therapy (or TGT) was representative of approaches currently used to treat adolescent substance abusers and was based on Adlerian psychology, Reality Therapy, and three models of social skills training. The family life education (or FLE) was educational in nature and consisted of information commonly disseminated in substance education programs. All three treatment conditions utilized a social unit as intervention; the differences appeared in both the theoretical formulations of the conditions as well as the pragmatic application of each modality. Based on past research with other problems that utilized family systems therapy, positive change was expected within the FST condition not only with the adolescent, but also within the family on various interactional levels. Specifically, several hypotheses were formulated predicting the FST to be significantly more effective than TGT and FLE in: (1) decreasing the use of substances among adolescent abusers; (2) improving subject families' overall satisfaction with family life; and (3) improving subject families' abilities to cope with internal and external stress. The research study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Joanning, Quinn, Fischer, and Arredondo. 1984) provided the source of outcome data utilized in this study and employed a pretest-posttest design. The relative impact of treatment was assessed through the use of chi-square analysis, analysis of covariance and, when appropriate, repeated measures analysis of variance. The primary analyses focused on the results of urinalyses taken at pretest and posttest on the identified patients (IPs) in each treatment condition and the IPs' written self-reports of substance use. No significant pre-post differences were found between treatment conditions on any of the hypotheses related to substance use. This may, however, have been an artifact of the data. Also, none of the hypotheses regarding family stress or satisfaction were supported. One hypothesis was supported: there was no differential dropout rate between groups. Several factors could be used to explain this result: sound theoretical conceptualization of treatment, careful administrative recruitment of subject families, and cautious inclusion criteria based on substance use level all may have contributed to this result. Based on the results, none of these variables (age of IP, gender of IP, race of parent[s], education level of parent[s], family income, relation to IP, grades, and number of parents in the household) can be used as reasons for excluding certain types of families from treatment. A conclusion from this is that there is no research justification for excluding families from any of these three treatment conditions because of race, education or any other variable listed above. Recommendations for future research include ethnographic research on family experiences with substance abuse and therapy, development of multiple indicators for the evaluation of outpatient, nonaddictive substance use, and the development of new models that combine elements from several treatment conditions for multiple impact on the presenting problems.Item Understanding theoretical, clinical, and research training experiences of international doctoral students in marriage and family therapy programs in the United States(Texas Tech University, 2002-12) Mittal, MonaWithin the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT), there is a growing recognition and sensitivity to the mental health-needs of diverse populations. There is also an increase on the emphasis placed on cultural diversity and the recruitment of minority students However, the field of MFT has made little to no progress in recognizing issues surrounding the needs, experiences, and problems of international students and practitioners in an atmosphere that is often quite different from that of their country of origin. This dissertation is a step in that direction. Specifically, the aim is to gain a better understanding of international students' experiences in areas of: (a) theory, (b) research, (c) clinical training, supervision and practice, and (d) personal/family impact. In addition, this study attempts to provide insight into the processes of translation and integration of internationals students' cumulative learning in the U.S. into their future scholarly work here and their home countries. A qualitative methodological approach, namely the tradition of phenomenology and some components of the tradition of ethnomethodology, were used for the purpose of inquiry into the research questions. Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted and holistic/contextualizing strategies of qualitative data analysis and thematic analysis were predominantly used as guidelines for data analysis. Results of the data analysis revealed that the field of MFT has made an affirmative move towards recognizing and discussing issues of diversity in the field. Yet, most discussions still center around racial and cultural diversity in the U.S. not including international students and practitioners. While most internationals reported having positive training experiences they felt that there was a lack of acknowledgement about the richness they were adding to the field. The findings of this study have implications for the conceptualization and understanding of diversity in the field of MFT.