Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy vs. Traditional Behavioral Couple Therapy: A theoretical review of the differential effectiveness
Identificadores
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12020/614ISSN: 1130-5274
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5093/cl2013a2
Fecha
2013-01-29Tipo de documento
articleÁrea/s de conocimiento
PsicologíaMateria/s Unesco
6107 Psicología GeneralResumen
The purpose of this review is to compare the differential effectiveness of two couple therapies, the
Traditional Behavioral Couple Therapy (TBCT) and the Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT).
Although the latter can be seen as an evolution of the first, both are based on different theoretical concepts.
Starting from the analysis of 12 studies comparing TBCT and IBCT, conclusions about effectiveness and
future perspectives of both approaches are discussed. Our results show that TBCT and IBCT have distinct
courses of change and differ fundamentally in what the therapist does in-session, impacting couple
behavior both in and out of session. Currently, in line with the most important randomized trials in this
field, a slight advantage for IBCT over TBCT in treating distressed couples at two points in time —when
treatment is completed and in the first years post-therapy— can be confirmed, although at a five-year
follow-up results equalize. Furthermore, some studies cannot confirm significant changes, but clinically
relevant ones, which point toward a higher impact of IBCT. Lastly, the article includes limitations of the
review as well and offers some orientations, which should be considered for future research.