A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Exploring Client-Reported Outcomes of Couple Therapy

The quantitative reviews of the outcome research on couple therapy show that this type of therapy can produce positive outcomes for couples and improve relationship satisfaction. There is now also a number of qualitative studies in which clients report in their own words on the outcomes of couple therapy. This study aimed to meta-analyze the client-reported outcomes of couple therapy generated in the studies using qualitative methods. A sample of 15 primary studies examining clients' reported outcomes of couple therapy was identified through an extensive literature search. Relevant qualitative data on the client-reported outcomes were extracted into a single data set. The data was then analyzed using a descriptive-interpretive qualitative meta-analytic approach. Similar outcomes were grouped into metacategories. The metacategories were then organized into several clusters of the client-reported outcomes of couple therapy. The meta-analysis yielded 25 metacategories which were clustered into seven main clusters, (a) seeing things differently; (b) changed behavior within the relationship; (c) improved experience in the relationship; (d) improved communication quality; (e) improvement in relationship functioning; (f) improved individual functioning, and (g) difficult outcomes of therapy. Clients reported numerous constructive (e.g., new understanding of the couple's interactional functioning, improvement in the conflict management, new positive ways of relating and connecting, letting go of expectations imposed on the partner or changes within the self that may be one's contribution to the relationship), and some difficult, outcomes of engaging in couple therapy (the clarity on the decision to separate). Clinical Impact Statement Question: This study aimed to meta-analyse the client-reported outcomes of couple therapy generated in the studies using qualitative methods. Findings: Clients reported numerous positive outcomes of engaging in couple therapy (e.g., in the area of perception of the partner, in the experienced satisfaction, in communication, in more mutually supportive behavior, but also in the lower individual distress). Meaning: Clients report a significant variety of positive changes that they attribute to couple therapy, which include not only relational changes but also changes in the individual functioning. Next Steps: Given the influence client expectations have on outcomes, it may help to check-in with, clarify and align expectations of indivi