Relationship of differentiation of self to adult clients’ perceptions of the alliance in brief family therapy

Abstract

The authors examined differentiation of self, a multidimensional construct in Murray Bowen's (1976, 1978) family systems theory, as a predictor of clients’ perceptions of the therapeutic alliance. Adult clients (N=38) in brief family therapy completed the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (Skowron & Schmitt, 2003) during prescreening and the self-report version of the System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (Friedlander & Escudero, 2002) after Session 3. More differentiated adults reported significantly more positive overall alliances. In a canonical correlation analysis, four roots were extracted that together accounted for 56% of the shared variance. Interpretation of the single significant canonical root suggested that clients reporting less emotional reactivity were more likely to have strong feelings of safety in the family therapy context.

Abstract

The authors examined differentiation of self, a multidimensional construct in Murray Bowen's (1976, 1978) family systems theory, as a predictor of clients’ perceptions of the therapeutic alliance. Adult clients (N_38) in brief family therapy completed the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (Skowron & Schmitt, 2003) during prescreening and the self-report version of the System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (Friedlander & Escudero, 2002) after Session 3. More differentiated adults reported significantly more positive overall alliances. In a canonical correlation analysis, four roots were extracted that together accounted for 56% of the shared variance. Interpretation of the single significant canonical root suggested that clients reporting less emotional reactivity were more likely to have strong feelings of safety in the family therapy context.

Abstract

Les auteurs ont examiné la différentiation du self, une notion multidimensionnelle dans la théorie des systèmes familiaux de Murray Bowen (1976, 1978), comme facteur prédisant les perceptions des clients de l'alliance thérapeutique. Des clients adultes (N_38) en thérapie de famille brève ont rempli l'Inventaire Révisé de la Différentiation du Self (Skowron & Schmitt, 2003) pendant l'examen sommaire préalable ainsi que la version auto-questionnaire du Système pour Observer les Alliances en Thérapie Familiale (Friedlander & Escudero, 2002) après la séance 3. Des adultes plus différenciés font état d'une alliance globale significativement plus positive. Par une analyse de corrélation canonique, 4 racines ont été extraites rassemblant ensemble 56% de la variance partagée.

L'interprétation de l'unique racine canonique significative suggère que des clients avec moins de réactivité émotionnelle avait plus tendance à éprouver des sentiments de sécurité forts dans le contexte de la thérapie de famille.

Abstract

Las autoras examinan la diferenciación del self, un constructo multidimensional de la teoría familiar de sistemas de Murray Bowen (1976, 1978), como predictor de las percepciones de la alianza terapéutica de parte de los clientes. Clientes adultos (N_38) en terapia familiar breve completaron el Inventario-Revisado de Diferenciación del self (Differentiation of Self-Inventory-Revised), de Skowron y Schmitt, 2003 durante una preselección (pre-screening) y la versión personal del Sistema para la observación de alianzas en terapia familiar (Friedlander y Escudero, 2002) después de la sesión 3. Adultos más diferenciados informaron significativamente más alianzas positivas generales. En un análisis de correlación canónica, se extrajeron cuatro raíces (roots) que en conjunto dieron cuenta del 56% de la varianza compartida. La interpretación de la única raíz canónica significativa sugirió que los clientes que manifestaban menos reactividad emocional no parecían tener fuertes sentimientos de seguridad en el contexto de la terapia familiar.

Abstract

Os autores examinaram a diferenciação do self, um conceito multidimensional na teoria familiar dos sistemas de Murray Bowen (1976, 1978), como um preditor das percepções, do cliente, da aliança terapêutica. Clientes adultos (N=38) em terapia familiar breve completaram o Inventário de Diferenciação do Self (Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised, Skowron & Schmitt, 2003) antes do tratamento e a versão de auto-relato do Sistema para Observar as Alianças em Terapia Familiar (System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances, Friedlander & Escudero, 2002) após a terceira sessão. Os adultos mais diferenciados relataram alianças significativamente mais positivas. Numa análise correlacional canónica, foram extraídas 4 raízes que, em conjunto explicavam 56% da variância partilhada. A interpretação da única raíz canónica significativa sugeriu que os clientes que referem menor reactividade emocional têm mais probabilidade de ter fortes sentimentos de segurança no contexto da terapia familiar.

Abstract

Gli autori hanno esaminato la differenziazione del sé, un costrutto multidimensionale nella teoria del sistema familiare di Murray Bowen's (1976, 1978), come predittore della percezione del cliente dell'alleanza terapeutica. 38 clienti adulti in terapia familiare breve compilarono il Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (Skowron e Schmitt, 2003) durante la selezione e la versione auto-compilata del System for Observing Family Therapy Alliances (Friedlander e Escudero, 2002) dopo la seduta 3. Gli adulti più differenziati riportarono un numero significativamente maggiore di alleanze positive. In una analisi di correlazione canonica, furono estratte 4 radici che insieme davano conto del 56% della varianza condivisa. L'interpretazione della singola significativa radice canonica suggeriva che i clienti che riferivano meno reattività emotive avevano più probabilità di esperire forti sentimenti di sicurezza nel contesto della terapia familiare.

Abstract