Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2023
Journal Title
Family Process
Volume Number
62
Issue Number
4
First Page
1423
Last Page
1438
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12892
Version
Publisher PDF: the final published version of the article, with professional formatting and typesetting
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a CC BY License.
Abstract
The formation and development of the therapeutic alliance in couple therapy is a complex process and a key contributor to positive treatment outcomes. This study explored differences in trajectories of therapeutic alliance by sex and treatment condition among 24 couples randomized to receive Emotionally Focused Therapy or treatment as usual. The results identified a curvilinear growth pattern for alliance across both treatment groups. Female partners reported higher alliance than male partners after the first session across treatment groups, and female partners receiving Emotionally Focused Therapy reported higher initial alliance than female partners receiving treatment as usual. The rates of change for alliance did not differ by sex or treatment condition. The implications of the change pattern and differences in alliance formation by sex and treatment are discussed.
Original Publication Citation
Fang, M., Morgan, P., Yzaguirre, M. M., Tseng, C.-F., & Wittenborn, A. K. (2023). The therapeutic alliance in couple therapy: Patterns by treatment and sex in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy and treatment as usual. Family Process, 62, 1423–1438. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12892
Digital USD Citation
Fang, Meng; Morgan, Preston; Yzaguirre, Melissa M.; Tseng, Chi-Fang; and Wittenborn, Andrea K., "The Therapeutic Alliance in Couple Therapy: Patterns by Treatment and Sex in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Emotionally Focused Therapy and Treatment as Usual" (2023). School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Faculty Scholarship. 76.
https://digital.sandiego.edu/soles-faculty/76