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Selecting self‐report outcome measures for use in family and systemic therapy
Author(s) -
Moran Patricia
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1467-6427
pISSN - 0163-4445
DOI - 10.1111/1467-6427.12082
Subject(s) - nomothetic and idiographic , nomothetic , outcome (game theory) , systemic therapy , psychology , family therapy , process management , applied psychology , social psychology , medicine , psychotherapist , business , mathematics , mathematical economics , cancer , breast cancer
This article describes some of the challenges involved in the selection of self‐report outcome measures for use in family and systemic therapeutic services, and potential ways of overcoming them. It highlights factors that may undermine the demonstration of the effectiveness of services related to the characteristics of services, client groups and the measures themselves. Choosing appropriate self‐report outcome measures is particularly difficult for practitioners responding flexibly to the needs of heterogeneous client groups and those working with multiple family members. Measures need to be acceptable to both clients and practitioners, addressing constructs relevant to individual and systemic level change, and incorporating features that enhance sensitivity to client change. Possible solutions are discussed, with the aim of enabling services to make more informed choices when selecting outcome measures for use in the monitoring and evaluation of family and systemic therapy. Practitioner points Develop a logic model to identify possible mechanisms of change and key impacts. For heterogeneous client groups, consider assessing overarching constructs or using idiographic in addition to nomothetic approaches. To enhance the chances of capturing change within a family system, use more than one instrument and ask different family members to complete them. Select measures with appropriate language, structure and length for piloting with clients and practitioners.