This chapter begins with a consideration of the evolving context of treatment outcome research in couple and family therapy. It presents an integrative conceptual model of relational, psychological, and physical health outcomes that are common targets in current work in couple and family-based interventions. The chapter then discusses current methodological, measurement, and statistical issues in couple and family-based intervention research and provides recommendation for considering amongst alternatives. It reviews design, methodological, and statistical advancements, which creates a range of new options for future research evaluating the efficacy of couple- and family-based treatments. The chapter closes with recommendations for future methodological development in couple and family therapy research. For ease of communication, it focuses primarily on couple therapy throughout the chapter, as very similar issues are relevant for both couple and family therapy research.
Full Citation:
Baucom, B.R.W., & Crenshaw, A.O. (2019). Evaluating the efficacy of couple and family therapy. In B.H. Fiese, M.A. Whisman, M. Celano, K. Deater-Deckard, & E.N. Jouriles (Eds.), APA Handbook of Contemporary Family Psychology: Family Therapy and Training (pp. 69-86). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.