Early results support the feasibility of this approach, with more than
100 cases being successfully managed in this way. A tenfold reduction in the
expected incidence of schizophrenic and major affective disorders has been
observed. Further efforts are being made to conduct a controlled evaluation
of this approach.
The increasing sophistication of intervention strategies has been accompanied
by similar advances in the assessment process. Rather than merely
counting the numbers of positive and negative responses observed during
problem-related discussions, methods of examining sequences of family interaction
have been developed. The methods developed by Hahlweg and his
colleagues (Hahlweg et al. 1984a, 1984b) allowed heated arguments to be
mapped and contrasted with constructive expressions of unpleasant feelings
that contribute to effective conflict resolution. It was established that the expression
of unpleasant feelings in a manner that assisted in the clear definition
of a specific problem, rather than through coercive nagging or hostile
comments, was a crucial first step in conflict resolution.