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Brigham Young University
Two studies are being addressed in the phase of the project. First, is there a reduction in marital and family stress following marriage and family therapy? Does such a reduction decrease the medical utilization of family members? Dr. Crane's previous work has shown that there is a reduction in health care usage after therapy, but it was unable to determine what family processes were most affected by therapy and which may have lead to decreased illness after treatment.
Second, if patients and families in need of therapy services are referred for treatment by their physicians (or other health care provider), what factors are influential in determining if the patients will or will not attend therapy? This question is important in understanding what factors are most important in helping families receive the counseling they appear to need.