Psychology

Examining the role of therapeutic alliance and split alliance on couples’ relationship satisfaction following a brief couple intervention

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The therapeutic alliance is considered to be one of the most important elements in successful individual therapy and many types of couple, marital, and family therapy. The alliance involves a bond that is developed through investment, mutual agreement, and collaboration on tasks and goals. While substantial evidence exists that the therapeutic alliance plays an important role in multiple aspects of therapy outcomes for individuals, far less empirical attention has been given to the alliance in couple therapy. A primary reason for the dearth of research on alliance within a couples context is the complexity of measuring multiple alliances that interact systemically. The present study sought to examine if a facilitator’s perceived alliance is predictive of the couple’s alliance, and how differences in alliance scores between individuals may impact relationship satisfaction at 1-month follow-up. These questions were examined using data from a brief, two-session intervention for couples, known as the “Relationship Checkup.” Using structural equation modeling, we found that facilitator report of alliance positively predicted both men and women’s report of alliance with the facilitator. Results also indicated that couples who were split on the strength of the alliance had worse outcomes at 1-month follow-up, and split alliance between wives and the facilitator indicated worse outcome for men at 1-month follow-up. Overall, these data suggest that the alliance is an important element for successful brief interventions for couples.

Publication Title

Contemporary Family Therapy

Publication Date

2021

Volume

43

Issue

4

First Page

359

Last Page

369

ISSN

0892-2764

DOI

10.1007/s10591-021-09609-2

Keywords

brief intervention, gender differences, relationship satisfaction, therapeutic alliance

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