Patricia Kelley

Healthy Stepfamily Functioning

Stepfamilies are the fastest growing family form in the country. Although clinicians note the need for different family patterns for stepfamilies, those differences have not been identified and empirically tested. The predominance of literature on the subject has been problem focused: Research has often been based on families in treatment or has assessed differences in stepfamilies as problematic. In this exploratory research, well–functioning stepfamilies were interviewed in their homes, themes common to and different from biologically based families were noted, and differences from families in treatment were assessed. A further purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of standardized family-functioning measures on this population.

Integrating Narrative Approaches into Clinical Curricula: Addressing Diversity through Understanding

Abstract Academic programs in clinical social work often focus on either psychodynamic or systemic approaches. Narrative approaches grounded in postmodern theory also merit attention, as they are well suited for the diverse populations served by social workers. In narrative approaches, practitioners help clients to deconstruct and reconstruct their own life stories, and thereby to empower themselves. This paper compares narrative approaches with psychodynamic and systemic approaches, and suggests ways to integrate their coverage into curricula built around the dominant traditional approaches.

Supporting natural helpers: a cross-cultural study.

The relationship between professional and natural helpers was the subject of similar studies in Iowa and in Ireland and the United Kingdom. As a result, several clusters of natural helpers were identified and a model for professional-natural helper cooperation was developed.

Family-centered care: Practice and preparation

Although family-centered care is an expectation empirical data describing its use in practice or the extent to which practitioners are prepared to practice it are minimal. The purpose of this project was to describe views of family-centered practice reported by practitioners serving children. Health care practitioners serving children in 1 state were invited to a conference to discuss family-centered care and to assess their perceptions about its use and their practice preparation. Participants (N = 76) discussed family-centered care, opportunities and obstacles for its practice, and improvements for preparation. Findings from questionnaires and focus groups showed that most participants adhered to family-centered concepts and a subsample (n = 28) showed an increased use with a mean of 7.36 Likert gain scores on posttest following the conference. Suggestions for educators are offered.

Girls Fighting Trouble: Re-Storying Young Lives

This study assessed the usefulness of narrative group therapy as part of a summer program for female adolescents who had broken the law, and it sought to gain greater understanding of this population. Mainly qualitative methods were used because there is little research on narrative approaches and an exploratory study was most appropriate. Other methods used, include interviews, pretesting and posttesting, and reviews of court records 6 months after beginning. Various means of assessment showed that narrative approaches were useful in helping these young women examine their lives, cope with problems, explore options, and assess possibilities. While several problem themes were isolated, solution and coping themes were also found, which were brought forth and highlighted in the sessions. These adolescents experienced the most improvement in the area of coping. Self-esteem and control were found to be important coping devices and were strong throughout.

Integrating Systemic and Postsystemic Approaches to Social Work Practice with Refugee Families

The author assesses the potential of integrating systemic and postsystemic theories for therapeutic social work practice with refugee families. These families face problems as they experience rapid transitions. Crucial interventions are examined.

Family-Centered Practice with Stepfamilies

The stepfamily is one of the fastest growing family forms, and family-centered practitioners can expect to have such families in their case loads. Differences between stepfamilies and biologically based families need to be understood by practitioners, because work with these families requires different approaches. The author notes these differences as well as the usefulness and problematic aspects of the systemic and behavioral approaches traditionally used by family-centered practitioners in work with stepfamilies. An integrated model for working with stepfamilies, developed by the author, is presented. This model integrates postmodern approaches into eco-systemic and behavioral work.

Treatment of Adolescents: A Comparison of Individual and Family Therapy

Patricia Kelley is Associate Professor, School of Social Work, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa; Verne R. Kelley is Executive Director, Mid-Eastern Iowa Community Mental Health Center, Iowa City, Iowa; and Bonnie Williams is Partner, Collison and Williams, Associates in Counseling and Consulting, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This article was adapted from a paper presented at the 45th Annual Conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 31 October 1987, Chicago.