Effects of Family and Marital Psychotherapies: A Meta-Analysis

William R. Shadish, University of Memphis
Linda M. Montgomery, University of Texas System
Paul Wilson, Altus Air Force Base
Mary R. Wilson, Altus Air Force Base

Abstract

This meta-analysis of 163 randomized trials (including 59 dissertations) examines a number of questions not studied in previous syntheses. These include differences in outcome associated with different theoretical orientations, differences between marital and family therapies versus individual therapies, the clinical significance of therapy outcome, differences between marital versus family therapies in both outcomes problems treated, and the effects of various substantive and methodological moderators of therapy outcome. The review concludes with some observations about the methodological status of this literature.