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Keywords
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ABA design, behavioral problems, family functioning, multiple baseline design, single‐case design, single‐parent families, structural family therapy
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Abstract
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Family is foundational to Iranian culture and society and traditional families have been upheld by religious and political institutions since ancient times. However, the incidence of single‐parent families in Iran is increasing and literature on treating dysfunction in these families in therapy is lacking. This study examines the effectiveness of structural family therapy (SFT) in addressing problems in family functioning and children's behavior in single‐parent Iranian families using a single‐case, multiple baseline, ABA design. Participants included five single mothers and their children who received SFT for 8 weeks following a baseline phase. Participants were assessed during the baseline, therapy, and follow‐up phases using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Family Assessment Device. The data were analyzed visually and quantitatively. Results
indicated that the treatment was effective in decreasing behavior problems and improving family functioning and that treatment effects were statistically significant and stable through the follow‐up period. Research and clinical implications and limitations are discussed.
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