Change processes in family therapy with Hispanic adolescents.

Changes in within-session family interaction patterns were examined over the course ofBrief Strategic Family Therapy with Hispanic adolescents referred for treatment ofbehavior problems. Family structure and conflict resolution style were examined at fourpoints in therapy. Participants were 4 Hispanic adolescents and their families thatreceived a full dose of family therapy. Families were selected from a large sample of familiesthat participated in a randomized study. Two cases that showed significant improvementand two cases that showed deterioration on measures of conduct disordercompleted at pre- and post-treatment were randomly selected from the larger pool ofcases. In-session results demonstrated a linear trend of improvement in family interactionin successful outcome cases, although in unsuccessful outcomes family interactionsdid not improve or worsened throughout therapy. Findings support the importance ofexamining in-session therapy processes to shed light on how family therapy is efficaciouswith behavior problem Hispanic youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]