Transforming Family Dynamics: A Qualitative Multicase Study of Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy for Excessive Technology Use in Diverse Family Systems

This multicase study explores how socioculturally attuned family therapy addresses excessive technology use within diverse families, guided by Knudson-Martin et al. (2019). Three racially and culturally distinct family systems comprised of Euro-American, Indian-American, African-American, and Latinx members, with 13 individuals aged 5 to 52, participated in six 90-minute systemic therapy sessions. Interventions were derived from Bowen Family Systems and feminist family therapy. Data from videorecorded sessions, therapist notes, and journaling were thematically analyzed. Treatment outcomes were evaluated through orders of change (e.g., first-, second-, and third-order) central to systemic therapy. Key themes included empowerment, collaboration, emotional expression, and cultural sensitivity. Second-order changes, reflecting structural shifts in family subsystems, roles, and communication, were most frequent. First-order changes involved surface behavioral adjustments like reduced technology use. Third-order changes, though rare, indicated profound redefinition of cultural values in one family. Despite limitations, including small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up, findings support the effectiveness of socioculturally attuned systemic therapy. Future research should incorporate longitudinal designs with larger samples.