Jg. Walker et al., EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED MARITAL INTERVENTION FOR COUPLES WITH CHRONICALLYILL CHILDREN, Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 64(5), 1996, pp. 1029-1036
Couples with chronically ill children are at risk for experiencing mar
ital distress. The present study was a randomized control trial that a
ssessed the efficacy of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) in decreasin
g marital distress in this population of couples. Thirty-two couples w
ith chronically ill children seen at a tertiary care pediatric hospita
l were randomly assigned to EFT or to a waitlist control group. EFT co
uples demonstrated significant decreases in marital distress at posttr
eatment and at a 5-month follow-up in comparison to controls. Clinical
improvements in marital functioning following EFT were also demonstra
ted.