Jennifer Lambert-Shute

Aging Issues: Unanswered Questions in Marital and Family Therapy Literature.

Researchers have reviewed couple and family therapy journals to determine the extent to which issues concerning older populations are addressed. In an effort to extend previous work, we conducted content analyses of 957 articles published in three of the leading marital and family therapy journals between 1997 and 2006. From the articles, 27 (2.8%) mentioned aging or included older adults in their sample. Results indicate that the number of articles emphasizing older adults has not substantially increased. While this result has been substantiated by other researchers in previous years, a new finding in this study concerns the quality of articles on aging issues. The articles reviewed in this study indicated a greater focus on aging issues and addressing issues during this life cycle stage.

Career aspirations and perceived level of preparedness among marriage and family therapy doctoral students.

The authors conducted a survey of marriage and family therapy (MFT) doctoral students in programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). MFT doctoral students (N = 82) from across the United States responded to a web-based survey that focused on career aspirations, training opportunities, and the level of preparedness they experienced during their doctoral education. Results of this survey indicated that students felt they were well prepared for many aspects of their chosen career path. Some respondents desired more training to prepare them for careers in academia. More men than women indicated a career in academia as their primary career aspiration. While most of the respondents perceived that their internship experiences were beneficial, some expressed the desire for more opportunities to supervise masters-level students, to write grants, and to teach graduate-level MFT courses. The authors conclude with a discussion of how these findings may influence the development of core competencies specific to doctoral education in MFT.

The Journal-Reading Habits of Practicing MFTs

Although authors in the field of family therapy are calling for bridging the gap between clinicians and researchers, it is not clear how well this integration is occurring in our journals. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the strengths of journal articles for clinicians; identify what weaknesses might exist; and share the implication of this information for authors, editors, or reviewers. In Phase 1, 42 practicing family therapists responded to an open-ended survey to determine the ways in which journal articles are helpful in their practice. Surveys were analyzed through analytic induction and constant comparative methods. In Phase 2, we surveyed family therapy journal editors and asked them about strategies to increase readership among clinicians in journals. In both phases, we identified both themes and categories. Findings indicated that family therapists believe journal articles are helpful when they provide new insights, discuss research relevant to practice, and are easy to read. Some limitations of journals include limited access and the formal language often used. We present recommendations developed by clinicians, editors of family therapy journals, and a former editor of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy. These recommendations guide authors and editors of family therapy journals on writing and/or supporting clinician-friendly articles.

Reflecting on the Past: A Content Analysis of Family Therapy Research from 2000-2015

In this content analysis, researchers examine articles published from 2000 to 2015 in three family therapy journals, yielding a total of 948 empirical articles. The purpose is to provide an overview of the research being published, assess who is publishing, and investigate the current state of clinical effectiveness research in marriage and family therapy (MFT). Most first authors were affiliated with MFT programs and primarily included diversity and couples in their research. There was a significant increase of research on clinical process-though the number of clinical outcome studies held steady. There were no significant changes with regard to research funding. Implications support the use of innovative research methods to provide evidence of clinical effectiveness.