Common factors across theories of marriage and family therapy: A modified Delphi study

The Delphi methodology was used to explore common factors across theories of marriage and family therapy (MFT). The goal was to generate a list of items that experts in the MFT field endorsed as common factors. Three open ended questions were posed in Delphi I to the group of invited panelists. Delphi II asked panelists to rank items generated from Delphi I on a seven-point Likert scale. A final profile of items was created from the responses to Delphi II by including or eliminating items on the basis of median scores and interquartile ranges. Six of the panelists participated in qualitative interviews to clarify discrepancies that existed in responses. Panelists believed client motivation and self-agency were important, but overall client contributions as common factors in MFT theories were minimized. The panelists viewed the therapeutic relationship as an important component MFT theories, but they believed that MFT theories did not emphasize a collaborative therapeutic relationship. Relational conceptualization of problems as well as cognitive and behavioral strategies were seen to be important components of MFT theories. No items related to affective experiencing made the final profile. The panelists viewed placebo, hope, and expectancy factors as important components of MFT theories. Direction for future research as well as implications for the training and practice of MFTs are discussed