Therapeutic processes in multi-family groups for major depression: Results of an interpretative phenomenological study

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders Vol. 134; no. 1; pp. 226 - 234
• Main Authors: Hellemans, S, De Mol, J, Buysse, A, Eisler, I, Demyttenaere, K, Lemmens, G.M.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01-11-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Communication; Depression; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Depressive Disorder - therapy; Depressive Disorder, Major; Family Therapy; Female; Group therapy; Guidance; Humans; Interpretative phenomenology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mood disorders; Multi-family therapy; Openness; Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychotherapeutic Processes; Self Disclosure; Selfdisclosure; Surveys and Questionnaires; Therapeutic factors; Depression; Therapeutic factors; Multi-family therapy; Interpretative phenomenology; Social environment; Mood disorder; Therapeutic process; Social group; Phenomenology; Treatment; Family psychotherapy; Family environment; Family group
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2011.05.050

Abstract Background Recent research indicates that different couple and family interventions are effective in the treatment of depressed patients. However, how these psychosocial interventions work, has been less well investigated. In order to better understand the underlying treatment processes, helpful treatment experiences of depressive patients and their partners were examined in a multi-family therapy group. Method 24 patients hospitalized for depression and 20 partners participated in this study. Therapeutic factors were assessed using an open-ended questionnaire. Responses were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA). Results Eight recurring therapeutic factors were reported by both the patients and their partners: (1) Presence of others, (2) cohesion and understanding, (3) self-disclosure, (4) openness, (5) discussion, (6) insights, (7) observational experiences and (8) guidance from the therapist. Limitations Results were not fed back to the participants following analysis and only therapeutic factors that operate on a conscious level could be identified. Conclusions Several important therapeutic factors were identified in multi-family therapy groups for depression. These factors help to gain understanding into the processes, which should be emphasized in treatment and ought to be explored in future outcome and process research.