Family intervention for Asian Americans with a schizophrenic patient in the family.

A family intervention model designed to meet the unique sociocultural needs of Asian-American schizophrenia patients and their families is proposed. This five-stage model consists of: preparation, engagement, psychoeducational (i.e., survivor skills) workshop, family sessions, and an ending stage. Guidelines and specific suggestions for implementing each of these stages are offered as a means of dealing effectively With Asian Americans' differential value orientations and cultural characteristics.

Rating scale of therapists' systemic responses in an individual treatment context.

This study involves the development of a process study instrument that measures therapists' systemic responses in an individual treatment context. The scale captures the quintessential elements of the family systems approach, namely, interventions that address interactional sequences of behaviors and contextual concerns. Two hundred and thirty sessions from 15 clients were rated using this scale. An interrater reliability of .62 was attained at the session level; at the client level, reliability reached an average of .89. Analyses with the 15 cases did not reveal a significant relationship between process variables and outcome measures. However, exploratory analysis of 11 clients, excluding cases that might have other overriding factors that impact treatment outcome, revealed significant findings confirming the predictive validity of the scale.

The intertwined relationship between depression and marital distress: elements of marital therapy conductive to effective treatment outcome.

Within the framework of the interpersonal view of depression, this article examines the linkage between depression and four aspects of marital relationship: stress, support, role expectations, and interactional dynamics. Acknowledging the intertwined relationship between depression and marital adjustment, existing models of martial therapy for married depressed patients are examined for the extent to which they address these four aspects. The empirical evidence for the efficacy of these models is also reviewed, suggesting elements of marital therapy that are conducive to effective treatment outcome.