Joseph L. Wetchler

Solution‐Focused Group Therapy for Level 1 Substance Abusers

The present study compared solution-focused group therapy (SFGT) with a traditional problem-focused treatment for level 1 substance abusers. Outcome research on the effectiveness of solution-focused group therapy is minimal, especially in treating substance abusers. In the present study, clients were measured before and after treatment to determine therapeutic effectiveness. Clients in the solution-focused group significantly improved on both the Beck Depression Inventory and the Outcome Questionnaire. The clients in the comparison group did not improve significantly on either measure. Therapist skill level and adherence to theoretical models were measured in each group to reduce confounding variables.

Parental Conflict and Infidelity as Predictors of Adult Children's Attachment Style and Infidelity

The purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative analysis examining the impact of parental infidelity and conflict on the adult childs internal working models and romantic attachment style. Using a convenience sample of 150 undergraduates, we found no significant difference in the internal working models of adult children with and without knowledge of parental infidelity. Individuals who reported their parents as conflictual had a more negative view of self and of others. Additionally, adult children who had knowledge of their fathers infidelity were more likely to engage in infidelity than adult children without such knowledge.

Family structure: Its effects on adolescent attachment and identity formation.

This quantitative study examines the association between family structure, attachment, and identity formation. Results partially support the hypotheses and indicate that unresolved spouse conflict is associated with low levels of attachment in adolescents and attachment to father is linked to identity achieved and the diffused identity status. Lastly, parental coalition was inversely related to the moratorium and diffused identity statuses. These findings support a link between parent/adolescent relationships and the identity formation process. Directions for future research and clinical implications are also discussed.

Infidelity: An Overview

SUMMARY In this article, we provide an overview of infidelity theory, research, and treatment. We discuss the effect of infidelity on couples and delineate three types of infidelityemotional, physical, and infidelity including aspects of both. Further, we expand traditional thinking about infidelity by reviewing the role of the Internet in infidelity, and explore infidelity within the context of comarital relationships. Finally, we discuss the overarching theories and common models used in infidelity treatment.

The influence of therapist values, religiosity and gender in the initial assessment of sexual addiction by family therapists

Abstract A total of 400 randomly selected clinical members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) were randomly assigned to one of four vignette conditions in which sex of the client and two extremes of sexual relationships (married and monogamous or nonmarried with varied partners) were experimentally controlled in a description of sexual interaction between two consenting adults. It was hypothesized that therapist values about sex outside of marriage, gender stereotypes regarding sexual activities, and sex and religiosity of the respondent would influence assessment of sexual addiction in vignettes read for the experiment. Results of the 199 (49%) marriage and family therapists who responded revealed that single male and single female clients with varied partners vignettes were pathologized more than monogamous married male and female vignettes. Male subjects tended to pathologize client vignettes more than female subjects. Highly religious males saw clients as more sexually...

The Impact Of Marriage And Family Therapy Graduate Training Programs On Married Students And Their Families

Abstract This study investigated the stressors and enhancers associated with being in marriage and family therapy (MFT) graduate programs for students and their families. Results indicated that both trainees and their spouses found the graduate school experience to be significantly more enhancing than stressing. There was no significant difference in the stress reported by trainees with children and in that of trainees without children; however, spouses with children reported the most stress. When time in graduate school was held constant, programs requiring a thesis or dissertation were perceived as more stressful than those with no such requirement.

Marriage and family therapists' problems and utilization of personal therapy

Family therapists are not immune to personal or family problems nor exempt from needing therapy. The purpose of the present study was to survey American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Clinical Members regarding their personal problems and experiences with personal therapy. Results show that the majority of respondents had problems related to their marriages and or families, had received some form of personal therapy since entering the profession, had sought therapy whenever they had problems, and reported a high rate of success and benefits from their therapy. These results are discussed in comparison with previous research, other professions, and the lay public.

Levels of fusion, triangulation, and adjustment in families of college students with physical and cognitive disabilities

Abstract This study compared students with disabilities and students with no disabilities on the family systems measures of fusion and triangulation. It also examined the relationships among fusion, triangulation, and college adjustment. A significant difference infusion between students with disabilities and students with no disabilities was found. A significant relationship between fusion and college adjustment also was found, as well as a significant relationship between triangulation and college adjustment. Clinical implications are discussed.

Videotape supervision via long-distance telephone

Abstract Raw data supervision is an important component in family therapy training. However, it is often difficult to implement, especially for those therapists and supervisors who live a great distance from one another. This article presents a technique for providing videotape supervision via long-distance telephone. It presents the advantages and problems of this technique. Alternative ways of using this procedure also are discussed.

Characteristics of Those Who Participate in Infidelity: The Role of Adult Attachment and Differentiation in Extradyadic Experiences

The present study examines the relationship between adult attachment style, differentiation, and infidelity. Results indicated that attachment anxiety and avoidance showed significant relationships with infidelity at both the bivariate and multivariate levels of analysis. Differentiation also showed significant results at the bivariate level, whereas the differentiation subconstruct, fusion with others, contributed significantly to the overall model. The knowledge of a parental affair increased the chances of individuals participating in extradyadic relationships as well as other demographic characteristics. The impact of results on clinical implications and therapeutic interventions are discussed as well as future areas of research.