title: Mid- and long-term effects of family constellation seminars in a general population sample: 8- and 12-month follow-up.
abstract: In a previous randomized controlled trial (RCT), short-term efficacy of family constellation seminars (FCSs) in a general population sample was demonstrated. In this article, we examined mid- and long-term stability of these effects. Participants were 104 adults (M = 47 years; SD = 9; 84% female) who were part of the intervention group in the original RCT (3-day FCS; 64 active participants and 40 observing participants). FCSs were carried out according to manuals. It was predicted that FCSs would improve psychological functioning (Outcome Questionnaire OQ-45.2) at 8- and 12-month follow-up. Additionally, we assessed the effects of FCSs on psychological distress, motivational incongruence, individuals' experience in their personal social systems, and overall goal attainment. Participants yielded significant improvement in psychological functioning (d = 0.41 at 8-month follow-up, p = .000; d = 0.40 at 12-month follow-up, p = .000). Results were confirmed for psychological distress, motivational incongruence, the participants' experience in their personal social systems, and overall goal attainment. No adverse events were reported. This study provides first evidence for the mid- and long-term efficacy of FCSs in a nonclinical population. The implications of the findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hunger
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weinhold
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bornhäuser
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Leoni
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Link
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Psychology, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Experience in Personal Social Systems; Family Constellations; Goal Attainment; Outcome Research; Psychological Health; constelaciones familiares; experiencia en sistemas sociales; investigación de resultados; logro de objetivos; salud psicológica; 家庭星群; 心理健康; 目标实现; 社会系统经历; 结果研究