Solution-focused versus problem-focused questions: differential effects of miracles, exceptions and scales

The differential impact of solution-focused brief therapy questions was tested. A total of 246 subjects described a personal problem they wanted to solve and were randomly assigned to one of four interventions that involved answering problem-focused versus solution-focused questions: a problem-focus...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Neipp López, María del Carmen, Beyebach, Mark, Sánchez Prada, Andrés, Delgado Álvarez, María del Carmen
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad Pública de Navarra
Repositorio:Academica-e. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad Pública de Navarra
OAI Identifier:oai:academica-e.unavarra.es:2454/41833
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2454/41833
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Outcome research
Solution-focused brief therapy
Solution-focused questions
Therapeutic questions
Descripción
Sumario:The differential impact of solution-focused brief therapy questions was tested. A total of 246 subjects described a personal problem they wanted to solve and were randomly assigned to one of four interventions that involved answering problem-focused versus solution-focused questions: a problem-focused condition, a miracle condition, a scaling condition or an exception condition. Before and after answering the questions, participants completed measures of positive and negative affect, self-efficacy, goal attainment, action steps and solution-focused thinking. The miracle and exception conditions were more effective than the problem-focused condition in reducing negative affect. The scaling condition generated more action steps than the miracle question or the exception question. These findings support solution-focused ideas on the different effects of solution-focused questions, but also suggest that solution-focused and problem-focused questions might be more similar than different in their immediate impact on clients. Practitioner points: Solution-focused and problem-focused questions are more similar than different in their immediate impact on clients. Among solution-focused questions, the miracle question and the exception question are more effective in reducing negative affect, and scaling questions in generating specific action steps. Integrative therapists could use solution-focused questions not only with clients who seem more optimistic but also with less solution-minded ones.