The course and outcome of dyadic adjustment and individual distress during and after residential couple therapy

Individual psychiatric symptoms and relational problems often co-occur. At the Center for Family and Relationships, Modum Bad, this study investigated the effectiveness of the treatment among 220 adults suffering from this distress. Findings showed that patients were less bothered by individual symptoms and were better off as a couple after treatment. This improvement was maintained at three year’s follow-up. It was also found that when patients had enhanced their skills in communication and conflict management, they felt more optimistic, understood, safe, with increased trust and more insight. One interpretation of this finding is that a therapeutic focus on learning specific skills strengthens alliance between patient and therapist. Further, it was found that a reduction of depressive symptoms during the treatment period was followed by improved couple relationship which again was followed by reduced depressive symptoms. Based on this finding it is recommended that focusing on the improvement of individual depressive symptoms may be beneficial in couple therapy