A1 Journal article (refereed)
“You helped me out of that darkness” : Children as dialogical partners in the collaborative post‐family therapy research interview (2022)

Helimäki, M., Laitila, A., & Kumpulainen, K. (2022). “You helped me out of that darkness” : Children as dialogical partners in the collaborative post‐family therapy research interview. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 48(2), 588-603. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12505

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Helimäki, Mira; Laitila, Aarno; Kumpulainen, Kirsti

Journal or series: Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

ISSN: 0194-472X

eISSN: 1752-0606

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 19/03/2021

Volume: 48

Issue number: 2

Pages range: 588-603

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12505

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/74762

Abstract

Applying Dialogical Methods for Investigations of Happening of Change (DIHC), this study investigated how children who had been diagnosed with an oppositional defiant or conduct disorder participated in a collaborative post‐therapy research interview and talked about their experiences of family therapy. The results showed that the children participated as dialogical partners talking in genuine, emotional, and reflective ways. Encountered as full‐membership partners, the children also co‐constructed meanings for their sensitive experiences. However, their verbal initiatives and responses appeared in very brief moments and could easily have been missed. The collaborative post‐therapy interview offered a safe forum for co‐reflection by participants on what they had found useful or difficult in the family therapy process. In this interview setting, the family first listens to reflection by the therapists on the therapy process and their thoughts on some of the family's related sensitive issues. The results indicate that when therapists present themselves as not‐knowing, receptive and accountable, therapists may facilitate reflection for all family members, including children.

Keywords: family therapy; children (family members); children (age groups); interviews; dialogicality; conversation analysis

Free keywords: children; collaborative; family therapy; post‐therapy research interview

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1