Introduction to the special issue on the efficacy and effectiveness of couple and family interventions: Evidence base update 2010-2019

This is the fourth Journal of Marital and Family Therapy (JMFT) special issue on the efficacy and effectiveness of couple and family therapy. Articles in this issue review studies published from 2010 to 2019 on couple and family interventions for prevalent mental and behavioral disorders and health conditions. The final article on mental health disparities tracks progress in the field and emphasizes the need for additional attention. In the current article, we provide a description of our methodological approach for the special issue and an overview of the state of the evidence for couple and family interventions across the conditions reviewed. We also offer recommendations to inspire researchers to further expand the empirical support for couple and family interventions to address pressing public health needs.

Automated summary

This special issue of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy focuses on the efficacy and effectiveness of couple and family therapy interventions for prevalent mental and behavioral disorders and health conditions from 2010 to 2019. In addition to providing a methodological approach and an overview of the evidence, recommendations are made to encourage researchers to further expand empirical support for couple and family interventions to address pressing public health needs.