Structural family versus psychodynamic child therapy for problematic Hispanic boys

J Consult Clin Psychol. 1989 Oct;57(5):571-8. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.57.5.571.

Abstract

Structural family therapy, psychodynamic child therapy, and a recreational control condition were compared for 69 six-to-twelve-year-old Hispanic boys who presented with behavioral and emotional problems. The results suggest that the control condition was significantly less effective in retaining cases than the two treatment conditions, which were apparently equivalent in reducing behavioral and emotional problems as well as in improving psychodynamic ratings of child functioning. Structural family therapy was more effective than psychodynamic child therapy in protecting the integrity of the family at 1-year follow-up. Finally, the results did not support basic assumptions of structural family systems therapy regarding the mechanisms mediating symptom reduction.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Family Therapy / methods*
  • Florida
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / therapy*
  • Models, Psychological
  • Patient Compliance
  • Psychotherapy / methods*