The effectiveness of focusing and Christian Contemplative Meditation on trust development in intimate relationships.

Abstract

This study examined the efficacy of two interventions practised by pastoral counsellors. Christian Contemplative Meditation (CCM) and Focusing were administered to people presenting with indications of low trust. Low trust was defined by low scores on the FIRO-B Wanted Control subscale (Schutz, 1967). Twenty-four volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups: CCM, Focusing, or a no treatment control group. Attempts to control for age, gender and therapist effects were made by counterbalancing. Measurements were taken at baseline, two weeks after the five sessions and three months post counselling. It was anticipated that the Relationship Trust Scale (Boon & Holmes, 1990) would be sensitive enough to perceive any changes. Other measures indicating change in trust comprised the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems: Hard to be Intimate subscale, and a self-reported Degree of Improvement measure (Meier, 1993). The literature suggested that the degree of client satisfaction, changes in mood, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and faith maturity would also indicate changes in trust. Several religious factors that could affect outcome were considered. These comprised three religious orientations, religious problem solving style, and mystical experiences. There was no effect among the groups on any of the trust scales and no significant changes were detected in self-esteem or self-efficacy among the groups. The significant effects that were found were quite robust. Both treatment groups reported a significantly higher Degree of improvement as compared to the control group. The CCM group reported higher client satisfaction than the Focusing group. Improved moods in the measures of Anger-hostility and Fatigue-inertia for the CCM group were also detected. Christian contemplative meditation improved the scores of faith maturity, whereas Focusing did not. The results indicated that Christian contemplative meditation had a more robust effect and was longer lasting than Focusing. A history of mystical experiences was positively correlated with significant outcome findings. These results indicated a need for more research. A replication study with increased power, treatment fidelity, and better instrumentation is recommended. Future areas of research could examine the parameters of procedural administration (i.e., duration, length and frequency of sessions), the relationship between different interventions and of the stages of change, and the impact of religious orientation, experiences and coping styles on outcome measures.