As part of The Family Institute's mission, we are committed to using clinical science to improve the effectiveness of our interventions. Clinical Science Insights distills our research expertise in a way that is relevant to both clinical practice and everyday life.
In this forum, our postdoctoral fellows, clinical staff and affiliates share their expert knowledge on a variety of topics relevant to families today – from child development, to innovative treatments for depression and anxiety, to best parenting practices, to the latest research on what works in couples therapy – just to name a few. These succinct summaries of the latest empirical research and theory on issues relevant to families are written for professional and lay audiences alike.
Stressful Life Events and Major Depression
Major depressive disorder is a relatively common but severe illness associated with significant impairment in functioning. It was identified as the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide in 1990, and it is predicted to be the leading cause of disability by 2020 (Murray & Lopez, 1996). Major depression is an episodic disorder – that is, individuals suffering from depression typically have one or more periods of depression (called episodes) that may fluctuate in…
What does research have to say about families and psychotherapy?
Modern research on family psychology and psychotherapy has much to offer psychotherapists, and, by extension, all those who are consumers of mental health treatment. Currently, research on mental health in families is being conducted in such diverse areas as family interaction, child and adolescent development, risk factors for psychopathology, the prevention of family violence, and improving mental health treatments.
What to Expect When Expecting: The Transition to Parenthood
The transition to parenthood can be an exciting time for couples, full of anticipation and hope for the future. In preparing to become parents, couples often focus on childbirth and childrearing. Hospitals, bookstores, and the Internet offer extensive resources on childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care. However, less attention is given to the couple’s relationship, and the considerable changes it will experience when a child enters the family.
Alcohol and the adolescent brain
Adolescence is a significant developmental period in which numerous changes occur, including the biological changes of puberty; greater autonomy from parents and family; increased time spent with peers; and the tendency to engage in greater exploration and risk-taking behaviors, like experimentation with alcohol. At the same time these changes are occurring, however, adolescents’ brains are developing in important ways. From birth through childhood, brain tissue and neurons…
Encouraging Courage
Contemporary daily living takes a great deal of courage – without it, it is very easy to get lost, stuck, or overcome with fear. In today’s age of modern science, when it is not easy to rely solely on faith, courage may be a key ingredient of human resiliency.
Demystifying Family Therapy
Families represent one of the most important contexts for human relationships. When families function well, family relationships can be immensely satisfying. However, when families do not function well, family relationships can be distressingly painful. When problems emerge, families are increasingly turning to family therapists for help. In fact, family therapy is one of the most common forms of mental health treatment.
International Adoption: Broadening How We Build Families
In 2008, 17,438 children were adopted internationally by American parents, according to data from the U.S. Department of State. Parents who choose to bring a child into their family through international adoption experience far-reaching impacts, because they must both negotiate the usual tasks of parenting while also meeting the specific cultural and social challenges presented by adoption.
Mindfulness
There are many different definitions of mindfulness, but a commonality exists among all the definitions. Mindfulness, a form of meditation, contains three key ingredients: 1) focused attention on an object, 2) observing moment by moment, and 3) observing nonjudgementally.