systemic family therapy

Objective: The current study investigated the impact of family-oriented psycho-educational interventions based on integrating systemic approaches on the dimensions of family functioning. Methods: The research design is a pre-test and post-test experiment using two experimental and control groups. The statistical population included all the families referred to family and marriage counseling centers in Tabriz City under the supervision of the General Department of Sports and Youth of East Azerbaijan Province.  In response to advertisements published in these centers, the families volunteered to participate in a psycho-educational course to enhance their family functioning. The volunteers were examined using the family assessment device (FAD), and 20 couples whose scores were average to low were selected as sample members and randomly replaced in the experimental (10 couples) and control (10 couples) groups. The experimental intervention was implemented in 10 sessions, each lasting 120 minutes on the experimental group, and the control group did not receive any intervention. At the end of the intervention, the members of both groups were re-evaluated with the family assessment device. The data was analyzed using univariate covariance analysis. Results: The results indicated a significant difference in family performance between the groups, showing that the intervention has successfully improved the performance of the families. Conclusion: The use of systemic family therapy, especially in an integrated form, is effective in improving various family-related components.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of systemic family therapy in reducing alexithymia, increasing psychological capital, and enhancing mental vitality in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children. Methods: The research method was a quasi-experimental design utilizing a pretest-posttest and follow-up with a control group. The statistical population included mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children in the city of Mashhad, referring to the Avaye Salamat Center (total number: 70 individuals). Data were collected using a cluster random sampling method, ultimately selecting 30 individuals and assigning them into two groups of 15 each, experimental and control. For data collection and assessment of desired features and conditions, demographic forms and marital intimacy, forgiveness, and marital burnout questionnaires were used. Participants in the experimental group underwent systemic family therapy according to Bowen's (2009) protocol in 8 sessions of 90 minutes each, twice a week. Data analysis was conducted using repeated measures analysis of variance and SPSS-16 statistical software. Findings: The results indicated that systemic family therapy significantly reduced alexithymia (F=6.25, P=0.004), increased psychological capital (F=9.65, P=0.001), and enhanced mental vitality (F=7.29, P=0.001) in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children (P<0.05). Conclusion: Systemic family therapy can be utilized to improve alexithymia, psychological capital, and mental vitality in mothers infected with COVID-19 who have autistic children.