title: Family constellation seminars improve psychological functioning in a general population sample: results of a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: The study examined the efficacy of nonrecurring family constellation seminars on psychological health. We conducted a monocentric, single-blind, stratified, and balanced randomized controlled trial (RCT). After choosing their roles for participating in a family constellation seminar as either active participant (AP) or observing participant (OP), 208 adults (M = 48 years, SD = 10; 79% women) from the general population were randomly allocated to the intervention group (IG; 3-day family constellation seminar; 64 AP, 40 OP) or a wait-list control group (WLG; 64 AP, 40 OP). It was predicted that family constellation seminars would improve psychological functioning (Outcome Questionnaire OQ-45.2) at 2-week and 4-month follow-ups. In addition, we assessed the impact of family constellation seminars on psychological distress and motivational incongruence. The IG showed significantly improved psychological functioning (d = 0.45 at 2-week follow-up, p = .003; d = 0.46 at 4-month follow-up, p = .003). Results were confirmed for psychological distress and motivational incongruence. No adverse events were reported. This RCT provides evidence for the efficacy of family constellation in a nonclinical population. The implications of the findings are discussed.
authors: Institute of Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Weinhold
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Hunger
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Bornhäuser
authors: Leoni
authors: L
authors: Link
authors: Justine
authors: J
authors: Rochon
authors: Beate
authors: B
authors: Wild
authors: Jochen
authors: J
authors: Schweitzer
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome