SOLUTION-FOCUSED COUPLES THERAPY GROUPS - AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY

The professional literature contains numerous theoretical and case stu dy articles regarding the development and use of solution-focused ther apy. However, as with many models of systems-oriented therapy in use w ith couples, very little has been subjected to empirical investigation . This project was designed to make a contribution to the empirical li terature regarding the effectiveness of solution-focused therapy in us e with couples' groups. This study utilized pre-test comparisons of tr eatment and comparison groups, and examined pre- to post-test changes in the scores of the treatment group couples. Twenty-three treatment g roup couples participated in a six-week solution-focused couples thera py (SFCT) group. A separate group of thirteen couples served as a comp arison group. The Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) was used to assess cha nges in the couples' relationships. Scores on the Marital Status Inven tory (MSI), as a pre-test measure indicating the couples' likelihood o f divorce, indicated no significant differences between groups. The re maining analyses revealed significant improvement in DAS scores. Self- reports from the couples involved indicate improvement in a variety of areas after completing the six-week solution-focused couples group th erapy process.