Skip to content

Evidence and outcome studies

We have listed research studies which provide evidence for the effectiveness of systemic and family therapy, and systematic reviews, meta-analyses and meta-syntheses. There is a section on family and couple measures and contextual studies and measures. Some papers critically engage with the question of evidence. 

Evidence, outcome and effectiveness studies

About Families. (2012) Evidence Response. Systemic Therapy: What difference does systemic therapy make to the outcomes for children and families? 

Babinski, D. E., & Sibley, M. H. (2022). Family-based treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of family functioning outcomes in randomized controlled trials from 2010 to 2019. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 83– 106. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12572

Bergström, T., Seikkula, J., Alakare, B., Kurtti, M., Köngäs-Saviaro, P., Löhönen, E., Miettunen, J., Mäkiollitervo, H., Taskila, J. J., Virta, K., & Valtanen, K. (2022). The 10-year treatment outcome of open dialogue-based psychiatric services for adolescents: A nationwide longitudinal register-based study. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 1– 8. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13286

Butler, C., Sheils, E., Joscelyne, T., Lask, J., Pote, H., & Crossley, J. (2020). Measuring Competence in Systemic Practice: Development of the ‘Systemic Family Practice – Systemic Competency Scale’ (SPS). Journal of Family Therapy, 42(1), 79-99. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12251

Carr, A. (2024) Family therapy and systemic interventions for child-focussed problems: The evidence base. Journal of Family Therapy, 00, 1–45. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12476

Carr. A., Pinquart, M. & Haun, M.W. (2020) Research-informed practice of systemic therapy. in Ochs, M., Borcsa, M. & Schweitzer, J. (2020) Systemic Research in Individual, Couple and Family Therapy and Counseling. Springer.

Carr, A. (2019) Family therapy and systemic interventions for child-focused problems: the current evidence base. Journal of Family Therapy.

Carr, A. (2019) Couple therapy, family therapy and systemic interventions for adult-focused problems: the current evidence base. Journal of Family Therapy.

Carr, A. (2016) How and Why Do Family and Systemic Therapies Work?. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 37: 37-55. doi:10.1002/anzf.1135

Carr, A. (2014) The evidence base for couple therapy, family therapy and systemic interventions for adult-focused problems. Journal of Family Therapy, 36, pp. 158–194 doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.12033

Carr, A. (2014) The evidence base for family therapy and systemic interventions for child-focused problems. Journal of Family Therapy, 36, pp. 107–157 doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.12032

Doss, B. D., Roddy, M. K., Wiebe, S. A., & Johnson, S. M. (2021). A review of the research during 2010–2019 on evidence-based treatments for couple relationship distress. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 1– 24. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12552

Dwanyen, L., Holtrop, K., & Parra-Cardona, R. (2022). Reducing mental health disparities among racially and ethnically diverse populations: A review of couple and family intervention research methods (2010–2019). Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 346– 365. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12573

Evans, C., & Carlyle, J. (2021). Outcome measures and evaluation in counselling and psychotherapy (1st ed.). SAGE Publishing.

Evans, P.,Turner, S. and Trotter, C. (2012), The Effectiveness of Family and Relationship Therapy: A Review of the Literature. Melbourne: PACFA

Evidence for the effectiveness of Narrative Therapy. https://dulwichcentre.com.au/collection-evidence-for-the-effectiveness-of-narrative-therapy/

Frey, L. M., Hunt, Q. A., Russon, J. M., & Diamond, G. (2022). Review of family-based treatments from 2010 to 2019 for suicidal ideation and behavior. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 154– 177. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12568

Ghavibazou, E., Hosseinian, S. and Abdollahi, A. (2020), Effectiveness of Narrative Therapy on Communication Patterns for Women Experiencing Low Marital Satisfaction. Aust N Z J Fam Ther. doi:10.1002/anzf.1405

Goger, P., & Weersing, V. R. (2021). Family based treatment of anxiety disorders: A review of the literature (2010–2019). Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 1– 22. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12548

Heatherington, L., Friedlander, M. L., Diamond, G. M:, Escudero, V. & Pinsof, W. M. (2015) 25 years of systemic therapies research: Progress and promise. Psychotherapy Research, 25, pp. 348-364.

Hogue, A., Schumm, J. A., MacLean, A., & Bobek, M. (2021). Couple and family therapy for substance use disorders: Evidence-based update 2010–2019. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 1– 26. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12546

Kaminski, J. W., Robinson, L. R., Hutchins, H. J., Newsome, K. B., & Barry, C. M. (2022). Evidence base review of couple- and family-based psychosocial interventions to promote infant and early childhood mental health, 2010–2019. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 23– 55. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12570

Kennedy, E. (2015) Developing interventions in child and adolescent mental health services: Do we really know what works for whom? Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry 20(4), pp. 529–531

Lebow, J.L. (2023), Evidence and couple and family therapy. Family Process. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12925

Lebow, J. L. (2016) Editorial: Empirically supported treatments in couple and family therapy. In Special Edition. Empirically Supported Treatments in Couple and Family Therapy. Family Process, 55(3): 385–389.

Liddle, H. A. (2010) Multidimensional family therapy: a science-based treatment system. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 31, pp. 133–148.

McWey, L. M. (2022). Systemic interventions for traumatic event exposure: A 2010–2019 decade review. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 204– 230. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12547

Mitchell, E. A., & Gordon, K. C. (2023). A special section: Recruiting and retaining couples from underrepresented backgrounds in intervention research. Family Process, 00, e12908. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12908

Ochs, M., Caha, J., & Řiháček, T.  (2023). Risks and Side-Effects in Systemic Family Therapy. In K.M. Hertlein (Ed.), The Routledge International Handbook of Couple and Family Therapy (pp 374–394). London: Routledge.

Petitt, B., Cederblad, M & Wirtberg, I. (2015) Reviewing the evidence for the effectiveness of systemic, family and couple interventions (SFCT).

Plunkett, L.J., Reece, J., Symond, M.P. & Leung, T. (2023) Effectiveness of the Coral Tree Family Service family inpatient unit: a longitudinal study exploring change in family functioning. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 44, 162– 178. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1535

Sexton, T. L., & Datchi, C. C. (2014). The development and evolution of family therapy research: its impact on practice, current status, and future directions. Family Process, 53(3), pp. 415–433.

Sexton, T. L., et al (2013). The effectiveness of couple and family-based clinical interventions. In: Lambert, M. J. (Ed.) Bergin & Garfield’s Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change (6th edn.). NY: Wiley.

Sexton, T. L., Coop Gordon, K., Gurman, A., Lebow, J., Holtzworth-Munroe, A. & Johnson, S. (2011). Guidelines for classifying evidence-based treatments in couple and family therapy. Family Process, 50, pp. 377-392.

Sheidow, A. J., McCart, M. R., & Drazdowski, T. K. (2022). Family-based treatments for disruptive behavior problems in children and adolescents: An updated review of rigorous studies (2014–April 2020). Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 56– 82. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12567

Slesnick, N. and Prestopnik, J.L. (2009) Comparison of family therapy outcome with alcohol abusing, runaway adolescents. Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 35(3), pp. 255–277. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2009.00121.x

Spengler, E. S., DeVore, E. N., Spengler, P. M., Lee, N. A. ( 2019). What Does “Couple” Mean in Couple Therapy Outcome Research? A Systematic Review of the Implicit and Explicit, Inclusion and Exclusion of Gender and Sexual Minority Individuals and Identities. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 1– 16. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12415

Stith, S. M., Topham, G. L., Spencer, C., Jones, B., Coburn, K., Kelly, L., & Langston, Z. (2022). Using systemic interventions to reduce intimate partner violence or child maltreatment: A systematic review of publications between 2010 and 2019. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 231– 250. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12566

Stratton, P. (2016). The Evidence Base of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice. Association for Family Therapy, UK.

Stratton, P., Silver, E. & Nascimento, N. (2015) Couple and Family Therapy Outcome Research in the Previous Decade: What Does the Evidence Tell Us? Contemporary Family Therapy, 37, pp. 1-12, doi:10.1007/s10591-014-9314-6

van Hennik, R. and Hillewaere, B. (2017), Practice Based Evidence Based Practice. Navigating based on coordinated improvisation, collaborative learning and multi-methods research in Feedback Informed Systemic Therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 39: 288-309. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12159

Vitry, G., Pakrosnis, R., Brosseau, O.G. and Duriez, N. (2021), Effectiveness and Efficiency of Strategic and Systemic Therapy in Naturalistic Settings: Preliminary Results from a Systemic Practice Research Network (SYPRENE). Journal of Family Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12343

Von Sydow, K., et al (2013). The efficacy of systemic therapy for childhood and adolescent externalizing disorders: A systematic review of 47 RCTs. Family Process, 52, pp. 576-618.

Von Sydow, K., et al (2010). The efficacy of systemic therapy with adult patients: A meta­content analysis of 38 randomised controlled trials. Family Process, 49, pp. 457­-485.

Wittenborn, A. K., & Holtrop, K. (2021). Introduction to the special issue on the efficacy and effectiveness of couple and family interventions: Evidence base update 2010–2019. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 1– 18. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12576

Wittenborn, A. K., Woods, S. B., Priest, J. B., Morgan, P. C., Tseng, C.-F., Huerta, P., & Edwards, C. (2022). Couple and family interventions for depressive and bipolar disorders: Evidence base update (2010–2019). Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48, 129– 153. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12569

Wu, Q., Slesnick, N. ( 2020). Substance Abusing Mothers with a History of Childhood Abuse and Their Children’s Depressive Symptoms: The Efficacy of Family Therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 46, 81– 94. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12364

Family and couple outcome measures

SCORE-15 App. Therapists can register to use the app at the  SCORE-15 App website. It is free to use.

SCORE is a self-report measure of family functioning proven to be a reliable and valid index of therapeutic change. FTSRC have created a free app for therapists to enable families to complete SCORE more easily and to use SCORE data as part of the therapy process by presenting results visually for the family and therapist to look at together and track changes over time. It is free to use.

The SCORE-15 is a measure which is acceptable to clients and can be used across all applications of systemic family and couple therapy. It is able to track progress and outcomes. It consists of 19 questions  which take less than 10 minutes for family members to complete. For more information on SCORE visit the SCORE page on the AFT website.

Evans, C., & Carlyle, J. (2021). Outcome measures and evaluation in counselling and psychotherapy (1st ed.). SAGE Publishing.

Miller, R. B., Nebeker-Adams, C. A., Anderson, S. R., Bradford, A. B., & Johnson, L. N. (2022). The development of a reliable change index and cutoff score for the SCORE-15. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 1– 13. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12600

Stratton, P. et al  (2014) Detecting therapeutic improvement early in therapy: validation of the SCORE-15 index of family functioning and change. Journal of Family Therapy, 36(1), pp. 3–19.

SOFTA

System for observing family therapy alliances tools can be downloaded for free from this website.http://softa.soatif.com/

Friedlander, M. L., Escudero, V., Horvath, A. O., Heatherington, L., Cabero, A., & Martens, M. P. (2006). System for observing family therapy alliances: A tool for research and practice. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(2), 214–225. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.2.214

Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire

Walsh F. Applying a Family Resilience Framework in Training, Practice, and Research: Mastering the Art of the Possible. Fam Process. 2016 Dec;55(4):616-632. doi: 10.1111/famp.12260. PMID: 27921306.

Wang, A., & Lu, J. (2022). Validation of the Chinese version of the Walsh Family Resilience Questionnaire. Family Process, 00, 1– 26. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12751

Assessment System of Narrative Change

Sequeira, J. & Alarcão, M. (2013) Assessment System of Narrative Change. Journal of Systemic Therapies 32:4, 33-51

Other measures and their use.

Hamilton, E., & Carr, A. (2016). Systematic Review of Self-Report Family Assessment Measures. Family process, 55(1), 16–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12200

McIntosh, D. L., & Wang, G. (2024). Assessments for multi-heritage couple therapy: A review of existing tools. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12708

Onwumere, J. (2009) Family interventions in psychosis: a scale to measure therapist adherence. Journal of Family Therapy, 31(3), pp. 270-284. 

Sundet. R. (2014) Patient-focused research supported practices in an intensive family therapy unit. Journal of Family Therapy. 36. pp195=216.

Couple Relationship Scale

Anderson, S. R., Johnson, L. N., Miller, R. B., & Barham, C. C. (2021). The Couple Relationship Scale: A brief measure to facilitate routine outcome monitoring in couple therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 1– 20. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12541

Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, meta-syntheses and content analysis.

Systematic review is a review of a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and explicit methods to identify, select and critically appraise relevant research, and to collect and analyse data from the studies that are included in the review.  Statistical methods (meta-analysis) may or may not be used to analyse and summarise the results of the included studies.

Couturier J, Kimber M,  & Szatmari P. (2013) Efficacy of family-based treatment for adolescents with eating disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 46(1), pp. 3-11. doi: 10.1002/eat.22042.

Eassom, E., Giacco, D., Dirik, A., & Priebe, S. (2014) Implementing family involvement in the treatment of patients with psychosis: a systematic review of facilitating and hindering factors. BMJ Open. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006108

Esteban, J., Suárez-Relinque, C., & Jiménez, T. I. (2022). Effects of family therapy for substance abuse: A systematic review of recent research. Family Process, 00, 1– 25. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12841

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2014) Multidimensional family therapy for adolescent drug users: a systematic review, EMCDDA Papers. Publications Office of the European Union: Luxembourg.

Fisher CA, Hetrick SE, Rushford N. (2010) Family therapy for anorexia nervosa. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD004780. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004780.pub2

Frey, L. M., Hunt, Q. A., Russon, J. M., & Diamond, G. (2021). Review of family-based treatments from 2010 to 2019 for suicidal ideation and behavior. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 1– 24. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12568

González Moller, J., Heaphy, G. and Urrutia Ortiz, J. (2021), The Feasibility of Systemic Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Children and Adolescents Mental Health Difficulties in Latin American Countries: A Mixed Studies Systematic Review. Journal of Family Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12327

Gunby, N. & Butler, C. (2023) What are the relationship experiences of in which one member identifies as transgender? A systematic review and meta-ethnography. Journal of Family Therapy, 45, 167– 196. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12409

Hamilton, A. (2024). Black therapists’ experiences with their Black clients: A systematic review. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 50, 150–174. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12678

Harris, R. and Crossley, J. (2021), A systematic review and meta-synthesis exploring client experience of reflecting teams in clinical practice. Journal of Family Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12346

Henken, T., Huibers, M. J. Churchill, R., Restifo, K. K. & Roelofs, J. J. (2009). Family therapy for depression. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD006728. DOI: 10:1002/14651858.CD006728

Karakurt, G., Baier, A. L., Bowling, A. R., Singuri, S., Oguztuzun, C., & Bolen, S. (2024). Systematic review and data synthesis on the treatment of sexual violence victimization by an intimate partner. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 50, 71–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12670

Lamson, A. L., Hodgson, J. L., Pratt, K. J., Mendenhall, T. J., Wong, A. G., Sesemann, E. M., Brown, B. J., Taylor, E. S., Williams-Reade, J. M., Blocker, D. J., Harsh Caspari, J., Zubatsky, M. and Martin, M. P. (2022). Couple and family interventions for high mortality health conditions: A strategic review (2010–2019). J Marital Fam Ther, 48, 307- 345. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12564

McLean, S.A., Booth, A.T., Schnabel, A. et al. Exploring the Efficacy of Telehealth for Family Therapy Through Systematic, Meta-analytic, and Qualitative Evidence. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 24, 244–266 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-020-00340-2

McWey, L. M. (2021). Systemic interventions for traumatic event exposure: A 2010–2019 decade review. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 1– 27. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12547

Meis, L. A., et al. (2013). Couple and family involvement in adult mental health treatment: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 33, pp. 275-286.

Pivolusková, H., Řiháček, T., Čevelíček, M., & Ukropová, L. (2021). Are client and therapist-identified significant events related to outcome?: A systematic review. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 34(1), 1-20.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2019.1642851

Retzlaff, R., von Sydow, K., Beher, M. W. & Schweitzer, J. (2013). The efficacy of systemic therapy for internalizing and other disorders of childhood and adolescence: A systematic review of 38 randomized trials. Family Process, 52, pp. 619-652.

Sousa, H., Ribeiro, O., Afreixo, V., Costa, E., Paúl, C., Ribeiro, F., & Figueiredo, D. (2021). “Should WE Stand Together?”: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of family-based interventions for adults with chronic physical diseases. Family Process, 00, 1– 19. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12707

Sprenkle, D. H. (2012). Intervention research in couple and family therapy: A methodological and substantive review and an introduction to the special issue. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38, pp. 3-29.

Stith, S. M., Topham, G. L., Spencer, C., Jones, B., Coburn, K., Kelly, L., & Langston, Z. (2021). Using systemic interventions to reduce intimate partner violence or child maltreatment: A systematic review of publications between 2010 and 2019. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 00, 1– 20. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12566

Thompson, J. (2021), The Effectiveness of Couple Therapy on Psychological and Relational Variables and Pregnancy Rates in Couples with Infertility: A Systematic Review. Aust N Z J Fam Ther. https://doi.org/10.1002/anzf.1446

Tseng, C.‐F., PettyJohn, M.E., Huerta, P., Miller, D.L., Agundez, J.C., Fang, M. and Wittenborn, A.K. (2021), Representation of Diverse Populations in Couple and Family Therapy Intervention Studies: A Systematic Review of Race/Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, Age, and Income in the United States from 2014 to 2019. Fam. Proc.. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12628

van Es, C. M., El Khoury, B., van Dis, E. A. M., te Brake, H., van Ee, E., Boelen, P. A., & Mooren, T. (2023). The effect of multiple family therapy on mental health problems and family functioning: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Family Process, 00, 1– 16. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12876

Von Sydow, K., Retzlaff, R., Beher, S., Haun, M. W. & Schweitzer, J. (2013). The efficacy of systemic therapy for childhood and adolescent externalizing disorders: A systematic review of 47 RCT. Family Process, 52, pp. 576-618.

Waraan, L., Siqveland, J., Hanssen-Bauer, K., Czjakowski, N. O., Axelsdóttir, B., Mehlum, L., & Aalberg, M. (2022). Family therapy for adolescents with depression and suicidal ideation: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical child psychology and psychiatry, 13591045221125005. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/13591045221125005

Winter, F., Steffan, A., Warth, M., Ditzen, B. and Aguilar-Raab, C. (2021), Mindfulness-Based Couple Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review. Fam. Proc.. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12683

Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that combines the results of individual studies to arrive at one overall measure of the effect of a treatment.

Baldwin, S. A., Christian, S. & Berkeljon, A. (2012). The effects of family therapies for adolescent delinquency and substance abuse: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38, pp. 281-304.

Barbato, A. and D’Avanzo, B. (2020), The Findings of a Cochrane Meta‐Analysis of Couple Therapy in Adult Depression: Implications for Research and Clinical Practice. Family Process 59: 361-375. doi:10.1111/famp.12540

Niels Braus, Christoph Flückiger, Johanna Wichmann, Christian Frankman, Antonia Lang & Christina Hunger-Schoppe (2024): Is symptom outcome the wholestory?—A multilevel meta-analysis of systemic therapy for adults including family system functioning, Psychotherapy Research, DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2024.2394192

Couturier J, Kimber M,  & Szatmari P. (2013) Efficacy of family-based treatment for adolescents with eating disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 46(1), pp. 3-11. doi: 10.1002/eat.22042.

Hartnett, D., Carr, A., Hamilton, E. and O’Reilly, G. (2017), The Effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy for Adolescent Behavioral and Substance Misuse Problems: A Meta-Analysis. Family Process., 56: 607–619. doi:10.1111/famp.12256

Norcross, J.C. & Lambert M.J. (2018) Psychotherapy relationships that work. III. Psychotherapy. Vol 55.No 4: pp 303-315

Pilling, S., Bebbington, P., Kuipers, E., Garety, P., Geddes, J., Orbach, G. and Morgan, C. (2002) Psychological treatments in schizophrenia: I. Meta-analysis of family intervention and cognitive behaviour therapy. Psychological Medicine, 32(5), pp. 763-782.  

Pinquart, M. Oslejsek, B & Teubert, D (2016) Efficacy of systemic therapy on adults with mental disorders: A meta-analysis. Psychotherapy Research, 26: 2, 241-257. doi: 10.1080/10503307.2014.93583

Riedinger, V.,  Pinquart, M. & Teubert, D. (2017) Effects of Systemic Therapy on Mental Health of Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis, Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 46:6, 880-894, DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2015.1063427

Stouwe, Van der T., Asscher, J.J., Stams, G.J.J.M., Dekovic, M. & van der Laan, P.H. (2014) The effectiveness of multisystemic therapy (MST): A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 34: 468-481

van der Pol, T.M., Hoeve, M., Noom, M.J., Stams, G.J.J., Doreleijers, T.A., van Domburgh, L. and Vermeiren, R.R. (2017), Research Review: The effectiveness of multidimensional family therapy in treating adolescents with multiple behavior problems – a meta-analysis. J Child Psychol Psychiatr, 58: 532-545. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12685

Andreas Vossler, Martin Pinquart, Liz Forbat & Peter Stratton (22 May 2024): Efficacy of systemic therapy on adults with depressive disorders: A meta-analysis, Psychotherapy Research, DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2024.2352741

Wampler, Reifman, & Serovich, (2005) Meta-Analysis in Family Therapy Research. In D.H. Sprenkle and F.P. Piercy (eds) Research Methods in Family Therapy. Guildford: Guilford Press.

Qualitative meta-synthesis is an intentional and coherent approach to analyzing data across qualitative studies.

Harris, R. and Crossley, J. (2021), A systematic review and meta-synthesis exploring client experience of reflecting teams in clinical practice. Journal of Family Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.12346

Ong, B., Tseliou, E., Strong, T., & Buus, N. (2023). Power and dialogue: A review of discursive research. Family Process, 00, 1– 17. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12881

Tseliou, E., Burck, C., Forbat, L., Strong, T. and O’Reilly, M. (2020), The Discursive Performance of Change Process in Systemic and Constructionist Therapies: A Systematic Meta‐Synthesis Review of In‐Session Therapy Discourse. Family Process doi:10.1111/famp.12560

Tseliou, E., Burck, C., Forbat, L., Strong, T. and O’Reilly, M. (2020), How is Systemic and Constructionist Therapy Change Process Narrated in Retrospective Accounts of Therapy? A Systematic Meta‐synthesis Review. Family Process. doi:10.1111/famp.12562

Ungar, M. 2018. Systemic resilience: principles and processes for a science of change in contexts of adversity. Ecology and Society 23(4):34.  https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10385-230434

Content analysis of family therapy research publications is a method which can provide an overview of what has been researched.

Lambert-Shute, J.J., Nguyen, H.N. & Peterson, P.W. (2018) Reflecting on the past: A content analysis of family therapy research from 2000-2015. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. 45(2) 256-274.

Von Sydow, K., Beher, S., Schweitzer, J. & Retzlaff, R. (2010). The efficacy of systemic therapy with adult patients: A meta-content analysis of 38 randomised controlled trials. Family Process, 49, pp. 457-485.

Cost effectiveness research

Christenson, J. D., Crane, D. R., Bell, K. M., Beer, A. R. and Hillin, H. H. (2014). Family intervention and health care costs for Kansas medicaid patients with schizophrenia. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 40, pp. 272–286. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12021

Crane, R.D. & Payne, S.H. (2011) Individual Versus Family Psychotherapy in Managed Care: Comparing the Costs of Treatment by the Mental Health Professions. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy 37(3):273-89

Crane, R.D. et al (2013). Costs of Treating Depression with Individual versus Family Therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.

Crane, R.D. & Christenson, J. (2014) A summary report of cost-effectiveness: Recognising the value of family therapy in health care. In J. Hodgson, A. Lamson, T Medenhall, & D.R. Crane (Eds) Medical Family Therapy: Advanced Applications. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-03482-9

Distelberg, B., Castronova, M., Tapanes, D., Allen, J. and Puder, D. (2020), Evaluation of the Healthcare Cost Offsets of Mend: A Family Systems Mental Health Integration Approach. Fam. Proc.. doi:10.1111/famp.12564

Moore, A.M & Crane, D.R. (2014) Relational Diagnosis and Psychotherapy Treatment Cost Effectiveness. Contemporary Family Therapy 36(2), pp. 281-299.

Morgan, T. B., Crane, D. R., Moore, A. M. and Eggett, D. L. (2013), The cost of treating substance use disorders: individual versus family therapy. Journal of Family Therapy, 35, pp. 2–23. 

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs)

Dakof, G.A., Henderson, C.E., Rowe, C.L., Boustani, M., Greenbaum, P.E., Wang, W., Hawes, S., Linares, C., Liddle, H.A. (2015) A randomized clinical trial of family therapy in juvenile drug court. Journal of Family Psychology, 29(2): 232-241. doi: 10.1037/fam0000053.

Diamond, G.S., Wintersteen, M.B., Diamond, G.M., Shelef, K. and Levy, S. (2010) Attachment-based family therapy for adolescents with suicidal ideation: a randomized controlled trial.  Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 49(2), pp. 122-131.

Fonagy, P., Butler, S.M., Cottrell, D., Scott, S.B. et al (2020) Multisystemic therapy versus management as usual in the treatment of adolescent antisocial behaviour (START): 5-year follow-up of a pragmatic, randomised, controlled, superiority trial. The Lancet Psychiatry 7(5):420-430

Greenbaum, P.E., Wang, W., Henderson, C.E., Kan, L., Hall, K., Dakof, G.A. & Liddle, H.A. (2015) Gender and ethnicity as moderators: Integrative data analysis of Multidimensional Family Therapy randomized clinical trials. Journal of Family Psychology, 29(6): 919-930. doi:10.1037/fam0000127

Hogue, A., and Liddle, H. A. (2009) Family-based treatment for adolescent substance abuse: controlled trials and new horizons in services research. Journal of Family Therapy, 31, pp. 126-154. 

Leff, J., Vearnals, S., Brewin, C. R., Wolff, G., Alexander, B., Asen, E., Dayson, D., Jones, E., Chisholm, D. and Everitt, B. (2000) The London Depression Intervention Trial: randomised controlled trial of antidepressants v. couple therapy in the treatment and maintenance of people with depression living with a partner; clinical outcome and costs. British Journal of Psychiatry, 177: 95-100.

Liddle, H. A., Dakof, G. A., Turner, R. M., Henderson, C. E. and Greenbaum, P. E. (2008) Treating adolescent drug abuse: a randomized trial comparing multidimensional family therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. Addiction, 103, pp. 1660-1670.

Lock, J. (2015) An Update on Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology Vol. 44 , Iss. 5, pp. 707-721. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2014.971458

Mannell, J., Davis, K., Akter, K., Jennings, H., Morrison, J., Kuddus, A., & Fottrell, E. (2020). Visual Participatory Analysis: A Qualitative Method for Engaging Participants in Interpreting the Results of Randomized Controlled Trials of Health Interventions. Journal of Mixed Methods Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/1558689820914806

Prado, G., Pantin, H., Huang, S., Cordova, D., Tapia, M., Velazquez, M.R. et al. (2012) Effects of a family intervention in reducing HIV risk behaviors among high-risk Hispanic adolescents: A randomized controlled trial. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 166: 127-133. doi: 10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.189

Tilden, T., Wampold, B.E., Ulvenes, P., Zahl‐Olsen, R., Hoffart, A., Barstad, B., Olsen, I.A., Gude, T., Pinsof, W.M., Zinbarg, R.E., Nilssen, H.H. and Håland, Å.T. (2020), Feedback in Couple and Family Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Family Process., 59: 36-51. doi:10.1111/famp.12485

Manualisation

Addis, M.E. et al (2006) Does Manualization Improve Therapy Outcomes? in Norcross, John C., Beutler, Larry E.  & Levant, Ronald F. (Eds) Evidence-based practices in mental health: Debate and dialogue on the fundamental questions, pp. 131-160. Washington DC, US: American Psychological Association, xv, 435. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/11265-003

Barbato, A., D’Avanzo, B., Vadilonga, F., Cortinovis, M., Lombardi, S., Pili, F., Rangone, G. and Visconti, A. (2020), Systemic family therapy integrated with attachment interventions for adoptive families. Development of a treatment manual. Journal of Family Therapy, 42: 536-559. doi:10.1111/1467-6427.12278

Forbat, L., Black, L. and Dulgar, K. (2015), What clinicians think of manualized psychotherapy interventions: findings from a systematic review. Journal of Family Therapy, 37: 409–428. doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.12036

Fruggeri L. (2012), Different levels of psychotherapeutic competence. Journal of Family Therapy., 34: 91–105. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6427.2011.00564.x

Jones, E. and Asen, E. (2000). The therapy manual. In Systemic Couple Therapy and Depression. London: Karnac. 

Krautter T., and Lock, J. (2004) Is manualized family-based treatment for adolescent anorexia nervosa acceptable to patients? Patient satisfaction at the end of treatment. Journal of Family Therapy, 26: 66-82. 

Mariotti, M., Saba, G. and Stratton, P. (2021) Handbook of Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy Manuals. Integrating Research, Practice and Training. EFTAS. Springer.

Pote, H, Allison, S, Cottrell, D, Perlesz, A & Stratton, P (2002) Manualising Systemic Family Therapy: The Leeds Manual, Australian & New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 23(3), pp. 153-158., doi: 0814-723X

Pote H., Stratton, P., Cottrell, D., Shapiro, D. and Boston, P. (2003) Systemic family therapy can be manualized: research process and findings. Journal of Family Therapy, 25, pp. 236-262.

Reibstein, J., Sherbersky, H. (2021). Manualising the Exeter Model: Couple Therapy for Depression – A Behavioural-Systemic Approach. In: Mariotti, M., Saba, G., Stratton, P. (eds) Handbook of Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy Manuals. European Family Therapy Association Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73640-8_7

Stratton, P. (2013) Manuals: A secure base for playful therapy? Human Systems: The Journal of Therapy, Consultation and Training, 24: 176-187.

van Hennik, R. (2021). Co-creating ‘Fluid Manuals’ for Feedback-Informed Systemic Therapy and Collaborative Research. In: Mariotti, M., Saba, G., Stratton, P. (eds) Handbook of Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy Manuals. European Family Therapy Association Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73640-8_4

Wright-Hughes, A. et al (2015) Self-Harm Intervention: Family Therapy (SHIFT), a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of family therapy versus treatment as usual for young people seen after a second or subsequent episode of self-harm. Trials 2015, 16: 501.

Contextual evidence and contextual measures

Barber, B.K. et al (2017) Contextualised suffering in the occupied Palestinian territory: a mixed methods study. The Lancet, 390. S29.

Charlson, F. et al (2019) New WHO prevalence estimates of mental disorders in conflict settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet,  June 11, 2019.

Runnymede Report. Committe for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2021.
https://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/CERD/Runnymede%20CERD%20report%20v3.pdf

Ziadni, M. et al (2011) Sources of human insecurity in post-war situations. The case of Gaza. Journal of Human Security, 7(3) pp 23-36.

Questions about evidence

Bennett, Sophie D.; Shafran, Roz. Adaptation, personalization and capacity in mental health treatments: a balancing act?. Current Opinion in Psychiatry 36(1):p 28-33, January 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0000000000000834

Craig, P., Dieppe, P., Macintyre, S., Michie, S., Nazareth, I. & Petticrew, M. (2008)  Developing and evaluating complex interventions: the new Medical Research Council guidance.  British Medical Journal, 337, pp. 979-983.

Csordas, T.J. (2004) Evidence of and for what? Anthropological Theory, 4(4), pp. 473–480.

Larner, G. (2004) Family therapy and the politics of evidence. Journal of Family Therapy, 26, pp. 17-39

Lebow, J.L. (2023), Evidence and couple and family therapy. Family Process. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12925

Mitchell, E. A., & Gordon, K. C. (2023). A special section: Recruiting and retaining couples from underrepresented backgrounds in intervention research. Family Process, 00, e12908. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12908

Sackett, D. L., Rosenberg, W. M., Gray, J. A., Haynes, R. B., & Richardson, W. S. (1996). Evidence-based medicine: What it is and what it isn’t. British Medical Journal, 312, pp. 71-2. 

Sexton, T. Jeremy C. Kinser, J.C. and Hanes, C.W. (2008) Beyond a single standard: levels of evidence approach for evaluating marriage and family therapy research and practice. Journal of Family Therapy, 30(4), pp. 386-398. 

Sundet, R. (2012). Postmodern-oriented practices and patient-focused research: possibilities and hazards. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 33, pp 299-308. doi:10.1017/aft.2012.38