The McMaster Approach to Families: theory, assessment, treatment and research

The McMaster Approach to Families is a comprehensive model of family assess ment and treatment. This paper provides an overview of the McMaster Approac h and consists of five major sections. First, the underlying theoretical mo del (McMaster Model of Family Functioning) is described. Second, the three assessment instruments of the approach (Family Assessment Device, McMaster Clinical Rating Scale, McMaster Structured Interview of Family Functioning) and their psychometric properties are summarized. Third, the family treatm ent model (Problem Centered Systems Therapy of the Family) is presented. Fo urth, the research conducted using the McMaster Approach is reviewed. Final ly, the clinical uses and advantages of the McMaster Approach are discussed .