Running head: THE EFFECTS OF NARRATIVE THERAPY
The Effects of Narrative Therapy on the
The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of narrative therapy as a treatment protocol to reduce the frequency and severity of marital conflicts in blended families. The focus of this study was on conflicts that exist between parents.
The alternative hypothesis that narrative therapy can lead to reductions in marital conflict in blended families was supported in relation to both the frequency of marital violence and the severity of marital violence.
The primary conclusion drawn from the study findings was that narrative therapy is an appropriate and an effective treatment protocol to use with blended families to reduce both the frequency and the severity of marital conflict. The second conclusion drawn from the study findings is that narrative therapy may be able to produce greater reductions in severe physical violence among marital partners in blended families than the reductions it produces in the frequency of marital conflict. While reductions in both measures of marital conflict in blended families obviously must the a primary objective, the greater reduction in severe physical violence is of exceptional importance for all family members, as well as for society as a whole.
The Effects of Narrative Therapy on the Marital Conflict of Couples in Blended Families
Although marriages in all families can be difficult at times, couples in blended families confront unique changes that can generate tremendous conflicts about loyalty and boundaries (Golish, 2000). One of the key factors is the barrier that separates the original family members from the stepfamily members. This division between the two families is caused by the lack of shared family experiences, role uncertainties and differences in family practices (Caughlin, Golish, Olson, Sargent, Cook, and Petronio, 2000). More specifically, couples are li...