Filial therapy with parents of chronically ill children.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a 10-wk filial therapy training model as a method of intervention for parents of chronically ill children. 23 parents, with children between the ages of 3 to 10 yrs, were included in the study. Results of the analysis of covariance revealed that parents in the experimental group significantly increased their attitude of acceptance toward their children and significantly reduced their level of stress as compared to parents in the control group. Children in the experimental group scored significantly lower than did children in the control group on total behavioral problems and anxiety and depression. This study supports filial therapy as an effective intervention for parents of chronically ill children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial therapy with single parents: Effects on parental acceptance, empathy, and stress.

Determined the effectiveness of 10-wk filial therapy with parent–child play sessions as a method of prevention and intervention for single parents and their children. The experimental group was comprised of 20 mothers and 2 fathers. There were 19 mothers and 2 fathers in the control group. Parents ranged in age from 19 to 47 yrs. There were 10 girls and 12 boys in the experimental group and 9 girls and 12 boys in the control group. The children in both groups ranged in ages from 3 to 7 yrs. Results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that single parents in the experimental group significantly increased both their attitude of acceptance and their empathic behavior toward their children, significantly reduced their level of stress related to parenting, and reported significantly fewer problems with their children's behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial therapy: An intervention for parents of children with chronic illness.

Describes the use of filial therapy as an intervention with families of chronically ill children. Filial therapy is an extension of play therapy which uses the behaviors of the client-centered play therapist in a family skills training program. Ss were 5 29–36 yr old mothers of 4.5–8.0 yr old children with chronic illnesses. Parents completed the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and Parental Acceptance Scale (B. R. Porter, 1952) before and after participating in filial therapy sessions. Children completed the Child Anxiety Scale. Results show that filial therapy can have a positive impact on parents of children with chronic illness. Parents were better able to accurately judge their child's level of anxiety and reported differentiation between themselves and their children. Qualitative reports of outcomes indicate that the parents believed that the course had a positive impact on their relationships with their children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

High school students as therapeutic agents with young children experiencing school adjustment difficulties: The effectiveness of a filial therapy training model.

Filial therapy has been used since the early 1960s to train parents as therapeutic agents for children experiencing a broad range of social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. Using a pretest-posttest control group design, this study examined the efficacy of a filial therapy model in training high school students to be effective helpers with young children experiencing school adjustment difficulties. 32 high school students enrolled in a Peer Assistance and Leadership course titled PALs were trained to become therapeutic change agents for identified prekindergarten and kindergarten students. The PALs students received training and supervision in child-centered play therapy skills that they practiced in weekly play sessions with their assigned child. Results from the statistical analyses reveal that the experimental group of high school students receiving filial therapy training demonstrated a significant increase in their empathic interactions with children and that the experimental group of children receiving the play therapy intervention experienced a significant reduction in problem behaviors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effectiveness of filial therapy for Korean parents.

Explored the effectiveness of filial therapy in enhancing the parent–child relationship of Korean parents (aged 30–42 yrs) of kindergartners (aged 4–8 yrs). The experimental design of the study was a pretest–posttest, control group design in which all of the parents (32 Ss) completed 3 instruments, the Porter Parental Acceptance Scale, the Parenting Stress Index, and the Filial Problem Checklist. The parents were also videotaped playing with their child before and after the training as a means of measuring empathic behavior in parent–child interactions. Results of quantitative and qualitative analyses indicate that Korean parents can learn basic skills of play therapy and improve the relationship with their children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial Therapy with Immigrant Korean Parents in the United States.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a 10-week filial therapy training model as a method of intervention for immigrant Korean parents in the United States. Results of the analyses of covariance revealed that the immigrant Korean parents in the experimental group significantly increased their level of empathic interactions with their children and their attitude of acceptance toward their children, and significantly reduced their level of stress related to parenting as compared to parents in the control groups. This study supports the use of filial therapy for promoting the parent-child relationship in immigrant Korean families in the United States. Filial therapy helps immigrant Korean parents to be therapeutic agents for their children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial therapy with parents of children experiencing learning difficulties.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a 10 week filial therapy training model as an intervention method for parents of children with learning difficulties. Results of the analysis of covariance revealed that the parents in the experimental group scored significantly higher after training than the parents in the control group on their attitude of acceptance of the child. The experimental group parents attained a significantly lower mean total score on level of stress related to parenting than the control group parents. There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups' posttest mean scores on the total behavior problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intensive child parent relationship therapy with Israeli parents in Israel.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of an intensive child parent relationship therapy (CPRT)—filial therapy training (G. L. Landreth & S. Bratton, 2006)—as a method of intervention for Israeli parents in Israel, families who are experiencing prolonged stress and trauma since Israel's creation. Results of the multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that the Israeli parents in the experimental group (14 parents) significantly increased their level of empathic interactions with their children and their attitude of acceptance toward their children and significantly reduced their level of stress related to parenting as compared with parents in the nontreatment comparison group (13 parents). This study supports the use of CPRT for promoting the child–parent relationship in Israeli parents living in Israel. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Intensive filial therapy with child witnesses of domestic violence: A comparison with individual and sibling group play therapy.

The rationale for utilizing filial therapy as a treatment intervention with child witnesses of domestic violence while residing with their mothers in a shelter facility is explored and the effectiveness of an intensive 12-session filial therapy parent training group, conducted within 2-3 weeks, is described (n=11; aged 4-10 yrs). Results of analysis of covariance revealed that child witnesses in the experimental group significantly reduced behavior problems prevalent in child witnesses and significantly increased their self-concept as compared to child witnesses in the non-treatment comparison group. In addition, t-test results showed that mothers who facilitated treatment of the experimental group scored significantly higher after training on both their attitudes of acceptance and their empathic behavior. Comparative analysis revealed that intensive filial therapy as facilitated by the children's mothers was as effective in reducing behavior problems as was intensive individual play therapy and intensive sibling group play therapy as facilitated by professionally trained therapists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial therapy with Native Americans on the Flathead Reservation.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 18(1) of International Journal of Play Therapy (see record 2009-00564-006). This article was originally published with the wrong first page. Printed issues contain the first page for the preceding article, "Effectiveness of Filial Therapy for Korean Parents," by Mikyung Jang. The online version has been revised to present the correct first page. The URL for the corrected online version is provided in the erratum.] Examined the effectiveness of the 10-wk filial therapy model as an intervention for 25 Native American parents (aged 23–46 yrs) and their 21 children (aged 3–10 yrs) residing on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. Results show that Native American parents significantly increased their level of empathy in their interactions with their children. Children significantly increased their level of desirable play behaviors with their parents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Filial therapy with Native Americans on the Flathead Reservation": Correction to Glover and Landreth (2000).

Reports an error in "Filial therapy with Native Americans on the Flathead Reservation" by Geri J. Glover and Garry L. Landreth (International Journal of Play Therapy, 2000, Vol 9[2], 57-80). This article was originally published with the wrong first page. Printed issues contain the first page for the preceding article, "Effectiveness of Filial Therapy for Korean Parents," by Mikyung Jang. The online version has been revised to present the correct first page. The URL for the corrected online version is provided in the erratum. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2001-00558-004.) Examined the effectiveness of the 10-wk filial therapy model as an intervention for 25 Native American parents (aged 23–46 yrs) and their 21 children (aged 3–10 yrs) residing on the Flathead Reservation in Montana. Results show that Native American parents significantly increased their level of empathy in their interactions with their children. Children significantly increased their level of desirable play behaviors with their parents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial therapy with incarcerated mothers: A five week model.

Filial therapy, a method of training parents to respond and interact therapeutically with their children, focuses on enhancing the parent–child relationship. This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a 5-wk model of filial therapy with incarcerated mothers as a method of increasing empathic behaviors with their children, increasing attitudes of acceptance toward their children, and reducing stress related to parenting. The results support filial therapy as an effective intervention for enhancing the parent–child relationship with incarcerated mothers and their children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial therapy with Chinese parents: Effects on parental empathic interactons, parental acceptance of child and parental stress.

Determined the effectiveness of a 10-wk filial therapy training model as an intervention method for Chinese parents living in the US. Results of the analyses of covariance reveal that the Chinese parents in the experimental group had a significant increase in their level of empathic interactions with their children; a significant increase in their attitude of acceptance toward their children; and a significant reduction in their level of stress related to parenting. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Group treatment for child sexual abuse.

Describes a 12-wk group therapy program used with more than 50 preadolescent children (aged 7–12 yrs) who have experienced intrafamilial sexual abuse. A cotherapy model is used. 90-min group sessions consist of 4 parts: circle time, focused activities, diary time, and snack. Activities are designed to highlight (1) development of trust, cohesiveness, and safety; (2) identification and labeling of feelings; (3) discussion of family relationships and family changes; and (4) exploration of issues associated with the offender. Sessions also examine legal issues and concerns and focus on self-esteem enhancement, social skills development, sex education, prevention of future abuse, and termination issues. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial Therapy with Teachers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Preschool Children.

This study examined the effectiveness of filial therapy with teachers of deaf and hard of hearing preschool children and the effectiveness of filial therapy as a method of intervention for deaf and hard of hearing preschool students. Analysis of Covariance revealed that the teachers in the experimental group significantly improved their ability to communicate acceptance and empathy, as well as develop non-directive involvement with their students. Students whose teachers were in the experimental group exhibited significantly fewer overall behavior problems, including withdrawn and internalizing behaviors. Both quantitative and qualitative results indicated that preschool teachers of deaf and hard of hearing children may become effective therapeutic agents by learning and applying the basic skills of filial therapy training with their students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Implementing a time-limited therapy program: Differential effects of training and experience.

Assessed the relationship between level of clinical experience, training format (no training, self-instructional, or intensive training), and therapeutic outcome in time-limited therapy (TLT). Six experienced therapists (aged 40–55 yrs) and 6 therapists-in-training (aged 25–31 yrs) underwent 1 of the 3 training formats prior to conducting 8 TLT sessions with a prescreened homogeneous group of 57 clients at a university counseling center. Clients of experienced therapists had consistently superior outcomes when compared with clients of their less experienced counterparts, with the exception of intake officers' outcome ratings. The more intensely trained therapists realized better outcomes, irrespective of therapist experience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of filial therapy on parent and child behaviors.

Notes that filial therapy is a unique form of parent training that incorporates training in play therapy skills, parent-child play sessions, and supervision experiences. The objective is to help parents become therapeutic agents in their children's lives. This article explores the extent to which experimental studies have verified the accomplishment of this objective, identifies specific research instruments that have been used in filial therapy research, and summarizes findings. Additional areas for research are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Filial therapy with immigrant Chinese families.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of filial therapy as a method of prevention and intervention for immigrant Chinese families in Canada. Results of the analyses of covariance indicate that parents in the experimental group demonstrated a significant increase in empathic interaction with their children, a significant increase in acceptance of their children, a significant reduction of perceived stress related to parenting, and a significant reduction of perceived problems related to their children's behavior. Children of parents in the experimental group demonstrated a significant increase in self-concept. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Child sexual abuse: victim age, victim gender, and observer gender as factors contributing to attributions of responsibility

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of victim gender, and observer gender on the tendency to attribute responsibility for extrafamilial child sexual abuse to the victim and the nonoffending parents. METHOD: A 2 (Victim Age) x 2 (Victim Gender) x 2 (Observer Gender) between-subjects design was employed. Undergraduate students (N = 145) read a vignette describing a sexually abusive interaction between an adult male neighbor and a child. In this vignette, the child's gender and age (6 years old, 13 years old) varied. After reading the vignette, participants used a 5-point scale to indicate the degree to which they believed the victim and the parents (a) were responsible for, (b) were to blame for, (c) caused, and (d) could have prevented the abuse. RESULTS: Greater responsibility was assigned to older than younger victims. Both parents were ascribed similar levels of responsibility, and were ascribed greater responsibility when the child victim was younger than older. Male observers attributed greater responsibility and causality to the victim and the parents than did female observers. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that responsibility attributions directed toward the victim and the nonoffending parents may be a function of the victim's age. In addition, the findings support previous research suggesting that male observers may tend to hold victims more responsible for their abuse than female observers. Implications for treatment and research are discussed.     

Short-term group play therapy with Chinese earthquake victims: Effects on anxiety, depression and adjustment.

Investigated the effectiveness of short-term child-centered group play therapy in elementary school settings with Chinese children in Taiwan who experienced an earthquake in 1999. 65 children (aged 8-12 yrs) were screened. Children in the experimental group scored significantly lower on anxiety level and suicide risk after play therapy than did children in the control group. The effects of the treatment support previous studies of play therapy with American children. These findings reveal the possibility of disaster intervention services adopting Western helping techniques with school children of non-Western cultures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)