Psychology
Research on couples and couple therapy: what do we know? where are we going?
Document Type
Article
Abstract
This article discusses the outcome and process research on couple therapy and integrates the articles special section "Couples and Couple Therapy" into the discussion. All tested couple treatments show statistically significant effects relative to control groups, but there are no reliable differences between different theoretical models. Moreover, all tested approaches leave substantial numbers of couples unimproved or at least still somewhat distressed. A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of various designs concludes that within-model comparisons have been more productive in producing knowledge than between-model comparisons. Recommendations for future research include developing a technology that would make possible matching studies focusing on Aptitude × Treatment interactions. Also, there needs to be greater emphasis on basic research and prevention.
Publication Title
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Publication Date
1993
Volume
61
Issue
1
First Page
85
Last Page
93
ISSN
0022-006X
DOI
10.1037/0022-006X.61.1.85
Keywords
outcome & process research on couple therapy
Repository Citation
Jacobson, Neil S. and Addis, Michael E., "Research on couples and couple therapy: what do we know? where are we going?" (1993). Psychology. 139.
https://commons.clarku.edu/faculty_psychology/139