Treatment efficacy of multiple family therapy in helping Hong Kong Chinese parents recover from depression

Abstract

This paper reports on the results of a clinical study that assessed the treatment efficacy of an adapted model of multiple family therapy (MFT) in helping Hong Kong Chinese parents recovering from depression. A total of sixtyone depressed parents were assigned to either the control group (CG) or the experimental group (EG) on the basis of their motivation and commitment to the MFT programme. Data were collected using standardised measures in the pretreatment phase (T1), in the posttreatment phase (T2) and at a threemonth followup (T3). No significant difference was found between the EG and the CG in regard to the effect of MFT on the parental and family functioning of the depressed parents. However, after the MFT, the EG depressed parents’ level of psychological distress was significantly reduced, an effect which was sustained at 3month followup. Clinical and research implications of the study are discussed.