Therapist intervention factors that influence therapeutic alliance events in family therapy with multi-problem families : a qualitative study

Background and Aims. The study investigates the therapist factors that influence the therapeutic alliance in family therapy with multi-problem families, from the perspectives of the child and family and structured commentary of the therapist. Due to the lack of research done with this client group and the adapted use of qualitative approaches applied, the methodology is also subject to scrutiny. Design and Participants. A qualitative small-case design is used, to enable the collation of rich and detailed data of the meanings and experiences of the participants to emerge. Four family therapy cases at a child clinic are followed, using therapeutic alliance events as the units of investigation. Measures. Interpersonal Process Recall, an interview method developed by Elliott (1984), gains the views of the participants, with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis as the method of transcript analysis. The dual role of researcher and therapist is studied reflexively on various levels. An adapted Family Therapy Alliance Scale is also administered. Results. A number of prominent themes emerged, namely, child therapy stance and technique, the children's communication style and a shift from an individual to systemic meaning of the difficulties. Others were being heard and listened to versus the experience of not being heard, working alongside the family, benefits and motivation in therapy and the experience of safety. Implications. The study gives a useful account of the participants' views of which therapist intervention factors influenced the alliance and links with current research and theory. Prominent implications were the full participation of children, shifts in the meanings families ascribe to their difficulties and ways for therapists to collaborate with them. Evidence of the viability and limitations of the method used is provided. Directions of further research are suggested

Testing Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals : a multiple case study

This thesis sets out to critically examine Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals . The literature review highlights the diverse etiological approaches that have been taken in understanding eating disorders. Guidano's model is presented as an alternative to traditional approaches . It is a developmental, unitary model of psychopathology, conceptualised within a systems/process-oriented approach to organised complexity. Within a qualitative framework, case study methodology is utilised to test the viability and limitations of Guidano's model. Four in-depth case histories are presented which offer appropriate material for the testing of the model. The data is analysed using the reading guide method and presented in terms of the four features of Guidano's model: (1) dysfunctional patterns of attachment; (2) sense of self; (3) major themes on systemic coherence; (4) common coping strategies. The findings of the research support Guidano's model of psychopathology in eating-disordered individuals. The findings are: (1) attachment styles are ambiguous, "intrusive, and enmeshed; participants experience a disappointment in the preferential attachment relationship; (2) that participants' sense of self is blurred and wavering; (3) the major theme on systemic coherence is the oscillation between seeking and avoiding intimacy; (4) common coping strategies are: the seeking of supportive intimacy with minimal self-exposure; withdrawal into the self; perfectionism; the development of an eating disorder; continuous thoughts about food, eating, and weight which prevents participants from becoming aware of the real issues confronting them. An evaluation of Guidano's model in terms of its specific contribution to knowledge and research on the role of father in child and adolescent psychopathology, as well as how father effects evidence in eating disorders, demonstrates the model's value as an explanatory tool and raises implications for future treatment, theory, and research practices of eating-disordered individuals

Shakespeare's early comedies: studies in The comedy of errors, The taming of the shrew and The two gentlemen of Verona

This dissertation offers fairly full readings of three early Shakespearean comedies. Because these works are still partly misunderstood, it has seemed reasonable to lay the critical emphasis on explication, though a certain amount of judging has been inevitable. The aim has been to induce recognition of aspects of these plays to which much modern criticism has seemed opaque