WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE SYSTEMIC APPROAC H OF A REFLECTING TEAM

In an evaluation study we investigated the effectiveness of the reflec ting team approach compared to eclectic child psychaitric treatment in an outpatient setting and the indications for each type of treatment. The relationship between treatment outcome and diagnostic data obtain ed with the Multi-axial Classification Scheme was examined in 22 famil ies treated with the reflecting team approach and in a second group of families matched on all important sociodemographic and diagnostic var iables but receiving eclectic treatment. No difference was found betwe en the two groups regarding symptom improvement or changes in family f unctioning. Regarding satisfaction with treatment, the reflecting team approach was superior to the eclectic modality. In the reflecting tea m group parental mental disorder and inadequate intra-familial communi cation (according to the new fifth axis of the Multi-axial Classificat ion Scheme) had a negative effect on outcome.