Open Access
The effect of solution-focused versus problem-focused questions: a replication
(Wiley, 2015) Neipp López, María del Carmen; Beyebach, Mark; Núñez, Rosa María; Martínez González, María del Carmen; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
In therapeutic conversations, questions can be considered as interventions in their own right. This study is a cross-cultural replication of Grant´s (2012) study on the effects of different types of questions on various clinically relevant variables. 204 students of a Spanish university described a real-life problem that they wanted to solve and were then randomly assigned to either a solution-focused or a problem-focused questions condition. Before and after answering the questions, they completed a set of measures that assessed positive and negative affect, self-efficacy, and goal attainment. Solution-focused questions produced a significantly greater increase in self-efficacy, goal approach and action steps than problem-focused questions, and a significantly greater decrease in negative affect, providing further empirical support to solution-focused practices.
Open Access
The global outcomes of solution-focused brief therapy: a revision
(Taylor & Francis, 2022) Neipp López, María del Carmen; Beyebach, Mark; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Solution-focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) has generated outcome research worldwide and in a variety of intervention contexts. A systematic literature search yielded 251 published outcome studies on SFBT. SFBT was found superior to control groups or at post-test in almost nine out of every ten studies. Taking only 91 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) into account, SFBT was still found superior in seven out of every ten. Results varied slightly according to intervention type and format, manualization, and components of SFBT. They also varied more according to type of comparator and use of diagnostic criteria. These results widen the evidence base for SFBT.
Open Access
IMPACT of nurses' solution-focused communication on the fluid adherence of adult patients on haemodialysis
(Wiley, 2018) Beyebach, Mark; Neipp López, María del Carmen; García Moreno, Maite; González Sánchez, Inés; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Aim: to test the hypothesis that fluid adherence in patients on haemodialysis can be improved through nurses′ solution‐focused communication with patients on issues of adherence. Background: adherence to fluid‐intake restrictions is low in patients on haemodialysis, creating serious health risks. Psychosocial interventions to increase adherence have typically focused on patients and ignored patient/staff interactions. Design: this is a single‐group, pre‐post pilot study registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT03432988). Method: a 1‐month baseline of interdialytic weight gain was taken in April 2016 for a group of 36 adult patients in a hospital haemodialysis unit. Then, the nurses of the unit received a 4 hr training in solution‐focused communication on issues of fluid adherence and applied it with the patients of the sample. Interdialytic weight gains were measured during another month. One month after the training, in October 2016, interdialytic weight gains were measured for another month. Results: after introducing solution‐focused communication on fluid adherence, patients′ average interdialytic weight gains decreased significantly, below the level considered indicative of problematic adherence. These results were maintained at follow‐up. Conclusions: our results suggest that a novel approach to adherence, nurses′ solution‐focused communication with patients on haemodialysis, may improve patients′ adherence to fluid restriction. More rigorous, controlled studies are required to confirm long‐term benefits and to understand the causal mechanisms that may underlie the effectiveness of this intervention.
Open Access
Spanish adaptation of the Solution-Focused Inventory (SFI)
(Sociedad Chilena de Psicología Clínica, 2017) Neipp López, María del Carmen; Tirado, Sonia; Beyebach, Mark; Martínez González, María del Carmen; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario Centrado en Solucio-nes (ccs) en una muestra española, replicando el estudio original de Grant et al. (2012). El CCS está diseñado para evaluar los pensamientos centrados en las soluciones, compuesta de tres subescalas: distanciamiento del problema, orientación a la meta y activación de recursos. Fue traducido y adaptado al castellano, posteriormente se realizaron dos estudios para examinar sus propiedades psicométricas. El primer estudio confirmó la estructura del instrumento y obtuvo una buena consistencia interna. El segundo estudio confirmó su validez convergente; el CCS correlacionó positivamente con el bienestar, resiliencia, satisfacción con la vida y toma de perspectiva, y negativamente con una medida de psicopatología. El segundo estudio confirmó la estabilidad, a lo largo del tiempo. Estos dos estudios confirman que el CCS es una medida que evalúa pensamientos centrados en las soluciones y puede ser utilizado para población española. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the solution-Focused inventory (sFi) in a spanish population, replicating the original validation study of grant et al. (2012). the SFi, designed to evaluate solution-focused thinking, is a 12-item scale with three subscales: problem disengagement, goal orientation and resource activation. The instrument was adapted and translated into spanish, then two studies were carried out to examine its psychometric properties. The first study confirmed the instrument ́s structure, and its good internal consistency. The second study confirmed its convergent validity; SFI was positively correlated with measures of well-being, resilience, satisfaction with life and perspective taking, and negatively correlated with psychopathology. This second study confirmed the stability of the SFI scores across time. in sum, these two studies provide additional support for the reliability and validity of the sFi as a measure of solution-focused thinking, and open its use to spanish-speaking populations.
Open Access
Bibliometric differences between WEIRD and non-WEIRD countries in the outcome research on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy
(Frontiers Media, 2021) Beyebach, Mark; Neipp López, María del Carmen; Solanes-Puchol, Ángel; Martín-del-Río, Beatriz; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) developed in parallel to Positive Psychology, as a type of intervention that also emphasizes the strengths and resources of clients. The aim of this study was to examine the development of outcome research on SFBT and to determine whether it is predominantly carried out in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic (WEIRD) countries. A literature review was conducted using a bibliometric methodology, identifying: (a) authors and countries, (b) time trends, (c) language of publications; (d) and journals; (e) samples on which they were tested; (f) characteristics of interventions; and (g) main study designs. A total of 365 original outcome research articles published in scientific journals on solution-focused interventions were extracted. The results show that outcome research on SFBT has grown steadily over the last three decades. Although it started in WEIRD countries, the number of outcome research publications generated in non-WEIRD countries is now higher. There is little international collaboration and, although English is the main language of publication in WEIRD countries, English, Chinese and Parsi predominate in non-WEIRD countries. Productivity is low and most authors have only published one paper. The journals that have published the most papers have a very diverse visibility. The tested interventions are conducted both in clinical and non-clinical samples; mostly in individual and group format; face-to-face; and not only in the form of psychotherapy, but also as coaching and school interventions. Almost half of the publications are randomized controlled trials. The results confirm the wide applicability of SFBT as a single or main component of psychosocial interventions. They support the claim that solution-focused interventions are not a WEIRD practice, but a global practice.
Open Access
The impact of training in solution-focused brief therapy on professional beliefs, practices and burnout of child protection workers in Tenerife island
(Taylor & Francis, 2014) Medina Machín, Antonio; Beyebach, Mark; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This paper presents the first results of a large-scale research project on the child protection services in Tenerife, Spain. In Study 1, the professional beliefs and practices of 152 child protection workers, as measured by a Professional Beliefs and Practices Questionnaire (Medina & Beyebach, 2010), were correlated with their scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach, Jackson, & Leiter, 1996). Higher scores in a variety of deficit-based beliefs and practices were associated with higher burnout scores, while strengths-based beliefs and practices correlated negatively with burnout. In Study 2, the workers were assigned either to a control group, or to an experimental group that received 30 hours of training in solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) plus 30 hours of supervision. Workers in the experimental group changed their professional practices and beliefs in a more strengths-based direction from pre-test to 6-month follow-up, with large effect sizes for the SFBT training (from d=1.42 to d=2.07). The SFBT training also had a small but significant effect on burnout at follow-up (d= .48). A regression model was able to account for 83. 8% of the variance in burnout scores at 6-month follow-up. Neither time working in child protection nor severity of cases predicted burnout at follow-up. Burnout at follow-up was predicted by burnout at pre-test and by changes in the professional beliefs and practices of workers. Workers who changed in the direction of more strengths-based beliefs showed lower burnout scores at follow-up, whereas those who changed to more deficit-based beliefs increased their burnout. Workers who changed their professional practices in the direction of focusing more on the difficulties of service users showed increased burnout. Changing practice in the direction of becoming more collaborative, “leading families from one step behind”, and of working in a more trans-disciplinary way with team members and other colleagues predicted lower burnout.
Open Access
Effectiveness of brief systemic therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy in routine clinical practice
(Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos del Principado de Asturias, 2016) Barcons, Carles; Cunillera, Oriol; Miquel, Vanesa; Ardévol, Irene; Beyebach, Mark; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
Antecedentes: la combinación de estrategias y técnicas de diferentes modelos psicoterapéuticos es un procedimiento común en la práctica habitual en salud mental. Se ha propuesto que la integración de terapias sistémicas breves ofrece alternativas psicoterapéuticas útiles, especialmente en nuestros sobrecargados servicios públicos de salud mental. Sin embargo, esta afi rmación apenas ha sido investigada y la comparación con tratamientos empíricamente validados ha sido escasa. Método: de 419 pacientes adultos remitidos a un Servicio Ambulatorio de Salud Mental, 212 fueron asignados a Terapia Cognitivo- Conductual (TCC) y 207 a una Terapia Sistémica Breve integrativa (TSB). Las evaluaciones del estado de los pacientes tuvieron lugar entre uno y tres años más tarde. Resultados: ambos modelos terapéuticos resultaron equivalentes en términos de sus porcentajes de altas terapéuticas, abandonos, recaídas y uso de otros servicios de salud mental durante el tiempo de seguimiento. Aunque ambos tratamientos fueron coste-efi cientes, la TSB no fue más breve que la TCC. La equivalencia entre grupos fue también confi rmada analizando los datos según los diagnósticos psiquiátricos. Conclusiones: este estudio aporta datos preliminares que sugieren que la TSB podría ser un tratamiento efectivo y efi ciente en servicios públicos de salud mental, comparables con otros tratamientos bien establecidos como la TCC.
Open Access
Terapia sistémica breve en personas expuestas a un evento altamente estresante reciente: Un ensayo controlado aleatorizado
(Sociedad Chilena de Psicología Clínica, 2022) Concha Ponce, Pablo; García, Felipe E.; Beyebach, Mark; Aravena, Valentina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Antecedentes: Los eventos altamente estresantes pueden tener efectos nocivos en el bienestar y salud mental en las personas. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficacia de un protocolo de intervención preventiva basado en la Terapia Sistémica Breve orientado a personas que vivenciaron de manera reciente un evento altamente estresante. Método: Participaron 75 personas, 39 conformaron el grupo experimental y 36 el grupo control. Para el análisis de los datos se siguió un diseño cuantitativo con dos grupos (experimental y control) y con dos puntos temporales (pre y post-intervención). Al grupo experimental se añadió un seguimiento a los seis meses. El protocolo estuvo estructurado en cuatro sesiones y apuntaba a incidir sobre los síntomas postraumáticos, el crecimiento postraumático, la respuesta rumiativa y las estrategias de afrontamiento. Resultados: Se observó un aumento del crecimiento postraumático, de la rumiación deliberada, del afrontamiento centrado en el problema y de la reinterpretación positiva en el grupo experimental. En cambio, solo hubo una tendencia no significativa en la reducción de la sintomatología postraumática y en la búsqueda de apoyo social. Conclusiones: Estos resultados contribuyen al desarrollo de la Terapia Sistémica Breve y apoyan su utilidad en la intervención preventiva con personas expuestas a un evento altamente estresante.
Open Access
Solution-focused versus problem-focused questions: differential effects of miracles, exceptions and scales
(Wiley, 2021) Neipp López, María del Carmen; Beyebach, Mark; Sánchez Prada, Andrés; Delgado Álvarez, María del Carmen; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
The differential impact of solution-focused brief therapy questions was tested. A total of 246 subjects described a personal problem they wanted to solve and were randomly assigned to one of four interventions that involved answering problem-focused versus solution-focused questions: a problem-focused condition, a miracle condition, a scaling condition or an exception condition. Before and after answering the questions, participants completed measures of positive and negative affect, self-efficacy, goal attainment, action steps and solution-focused thinking. The miracle and exception conditions were more effective than the problem-focused condition in reducing negative affect. The scaling condition generated more action steps than the miracle question or the exception question. These findings support solution-focused ideas on the different effects of solution-focused questions, but also suggest that solution-focused and problem-focused questions might be more similar than different in their immediate impact on clients. Practitioner points: Solution-focused and problem-focused questions are more similar than different in their immediate impact on clients. Among solution-focused questions, the miracle question and the exception question are more effective in reducing negative affect, and scaling questions in generating specific action steps. Integrative therapists could use solution-focused questions not only with clients who seem more optimistic but also with less solution-minded ones.
Open Access
Evaluación de un protocolo de intervención en terapia sistémica breve para personas expuestas a un evento estresante reciente
(Editorial Bonaventuriana, 2021) García, Felipe E.; Beyebach, Mark; Cova, Félix; Concha Ponce, Pablo; Mardones, Rodrigo; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Los eventos altamente estresantes son sucesos que potencialmente generan consecuencias negativas en las personas afectadas, como síntomas postraumáticos y depresivos. El presente estudio evalúa un protocolo de intervención preventiva, orientado a personas que han vivido un evento altamente estresante reciente, basado en la Terapia Sistémica Breve. Cuatro terapeutas aplicaron el protocolo a cuatro usuarias. Se entrevistó a estas ocho personas acerca de su experiencia en la aplicación y recepción del protocolo. Mediante escalas de fiabilidad y validez contrastada se evaluaron los cambios pre-post en sintomatología postraumática, sintomatología depresiva, crecimiento postraumático y satisfacción con la vida; también se midió la relación terapéutica. Los resultados muestran apreciaciones positivas en terapeutas y usuarias, el desarrollo de una relación terapéutica adecuada y avances en tres de los cuatro indicadores cuantitativos de cambio. Se concluye que el protocolo está en condiciones de utilizarse en estudios controlados.