Abstract

Research has consistently shown a positive association between the therapeutic alliance and family therapy outcome. Theory and preliminary research suggest that parent and adolescent agreement on the presenting problem would be a significant predictor of the therapeutic alliance in family therapy. This study used de-identified data from the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network. The presenting problem was assessed at the first session, and agreement in presenting problems was determined by matching the responses between the parents and adolescents. The within-system alliance item of the Intersession Alliance Measures-Family (IAM-F), assessed at the fourth session, was used to measure the therapeutic alliance. Adolescent sex and perception of who was responsible for the struggles that brought the family to therapy were included as control variables in the multivariate analysis. Results of the regression analysis indicated that agreement on the presenting problem was significantly predictive of the adolescents' report of the therapeutic alliance. Agreement on the presenting problem was not predictive of the parents' report of the therapeutic alliance. These findings reinforce the importance of addressing perceptions of the presenting problem and quickly establishing agreement between family members in order to enhance the development of the therapeutic alliance for adolescents. Limitations and directions for further research are discussed.

Degree

College and Department

Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life

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