Premium
Systemic family psychotherapy in C hina: A qualitative analysis of therapy process
Author(s) -
Liu Liang,
Miller John K.,
Zhao Xudong,
Ma Xiquan,
Wang Jikun,
Li Wentian
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
psychology and psychotherapy: theory, research and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 1476-0835
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8341.2012.02075.x
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , thematic analysis , systemic therapy , psychotherapist , family therapy , medicine , psychology , qualitative research , clinical psychology , psychiatry , sociology , social science , cancer , breast cancer
Objectives Although the procedure of systemic family therapy has been extensively researched in Western culture, few studies on this subject have been conducted in C hina. The aim of this study was to specify the therapy‐delivered interventions in C hinese systemic family therapy and to explore how Western‐imported systemic therapy model is delivered in C hinese culture. Design A qualitative and exploratory research approach was taken in which thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed psychotherapy videotapes with C hinese families. Methods Twenty‐six hours of video‐recorded systemic family therapy sessions from 14 C hinese family cases were sampled. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcriptions of therapy sessions and identify therapist‐generated interventions in therapy. Frequencies of different interventions were counted, and correspondence analysis ( CA ) was used to reveal the corresponding relationships between different interventions. Results Analysis led to two main themes related to therapists‐delivered interventions: Therapist's intention and therapy technique . Results revealed 15 types of therapist's intentions and 16 categories of therapy techniques . CA indicated that therapists’ intentions changed across different therapy stages and specific techniques were used to achieve corresponding intentions. Conclusions Interventions delivered in C hinese systemic therapy are mainly adherent with M ilan and post‐ M ilan systemic models. Due to the shortage in systemic therapy service in C hina and C hinese culture advocating reverence to authority, components of psycho‐education, guidance, and metaphor are adopted in C hinese systemic practice. Some directions for future research are suggested.