The Use of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy With Older Adults in Mexico: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This preliminary study investigated the use of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) with older adults in Mexico. The three session SFBT treatment focused on a self-defined problem, such as relationship issues or psychological well-being. Compared with a waiting list control group, the treatment group showed significant posttest improvements as indicated by the Outcome Questionnaire, the participant and an independent assessor. There was a significant difference between groups on participants' perception of goal achievement and in pre-post change during therapy on the Outcome Questionnaire. This study provides preliminary tentative support for the use of SFBT with the geriatric population in Mexico.

Anke Seidel is now at the Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University. Darren Hedley is now at the School of Psychology, Flinders University, South Australia.

The authors would like to thank Mirtha Campillo, Caroline Falasco, Lilian Nova, and the participants who made this study possible as well as Jason Platt (Ph.D., Alliant International University) and Robyn Young (Ph.D., Flinders University) for reviewing the article.

Notes

^a n = 10 for each group.

^b M = Change between pre and posttest.

^c Below cut-off scores for clinical sample.

^a n = 10.

^b d = Cohen's d (1988) (effect size), corrected for bias because of small sample size (Hedges & Olkin, 1985).

∗p < .05.