The current evidence of solution-focused brief therapy: A meta-analysis of psychosocial outcomes and moderating factors

• Published in: Clinical psychology review Vol. 114; p. 102512
• Main Authors: Vermeulen-Oskam, E., Franklin, C., van’t Hof, L.P.M., Stams, G.J.J.M., van Vugt, E.S., Assink, M., Veltman, E.J., Froerer, A.S., Staaks, J.P.C., Zhang, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2024
• Subjects: Effectiveness; meta-analysis; Outcomes; Psychosocial problems; SFBT; Solution-focused brief therapy; meta-analysis; Solution-focused brief therapy; SFBT; Effectiveness; Outcomes; Psychosocial problems
• ISSN: 0272-7358; 1873-7811; 1873-7811
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2024.102512

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) focuses on the strengths and resources of clients, and is assumed to achieve positive results on various psychosocial outcomes. This meta-analysis is an extension of previous meta-analyses on SFBT, and examines if the effectiveness of SFBT is influenced by participant, intervention, study and publication characteristics. Experimental and quasi-experimental studies were included. A three-level meta-analysis was performed on 72 studies and 489 effect sizes, accounting for within and between study differences. The overall effect of SFBT on psychosocial problems was large (g = 1.17). Moderator analyses revealed larger effects of SFBT in non-clinical samples (g = 1.50) than in clinical samples (g = 0.78). Studies with treatment-as-usual (TAU) as control condition reported smaller effects (g = 0.58) than studies with a no-treatment control condition (g = 1.59). Relatively large effects were found for couples (g = 3.02) compared to other client groups (0.41 < g < 1.70), and marital functioning (g = 3.02) compared to other outcomes (0.23 < g < 1.31). Group therapy (g = 1.64) yielded a larger effect than individual therapy (g = 0.48). The findings indicate that SFBT is applicable for a variety of clients and psychosocial problems. •This meta-analysis studied Solution Focused Brief Therapy's effectiveness (SFBT).•Participants receiving SFBT showed a 59 % reduction in psychosocial outcomes.•Compared to treatment as usual SFBT reduces psychosocial outcomes by 32 %.•The largest SFBT impact was found on marital functioning and well-being.•This review confirms that SFBT is beneficial for a variety of psychosocial problems.