Efficacy of Family Constellation Seminars (FCS)
Project overview
How effective are family constellations as an individual intervention in a group setting for chronic psychosocial conflicts? In our randomised controlled waiting group study with subsequent intervention in a naturalistic setting, we investigate changes in psychological, interpersonal, system-related and general levels of functioning. Moderators are the therapeutic relationship and specific patient characteristics. Measurement time points include baseline data collection, two weeks, four, eight and twelve months as well as five and ten years after participation in a family constellation seminar.
Further information
- Duration: 2010 - 2023
- Study location: Institute for Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Heidelberg University Hospital, in cooperation with the Wiesloch Institute for Systemic Solutions (WISL)
- Funding: German Society for Systemic Therapy, Counselling and Family Therapy (DGSF), Systemic Society (SG), Heidehofstiftung, Cusanus-Werk
- Responsible: Chair of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy III
Selected publications
- Konkolÿ Thege, B., Petroll, C., Hunger-Schoppe, C., Rivas, C., & Scholtens, S. (2021). An updated systematic review of the effectiveness of family constellations. Psychotherapist, 66:487-495. doi: 10.1007/s00278-021-00521-6
- Hunger, C. (2020). Family constellations as an individual intervention in a group setting for chronic psychosocial conflicts: short-, medium- and long-term effectiveness. Journal of Psychiatry, Psychology and Psychotherapy, 68(4), 263-273.
- Hunger, C., Weinhold, J., Bornhäuser, A., Link, L., & Schweitzer, J. (2015). Mid- and long-term effects of Family Constellation Seminars in a general population sample: 8- and 12-month follow-up. Family Process, 54 (2),344-358.
- Hunger, C., Bornhäuser, A., Link, L., Schweitzer, J., & Weinhold, J. (2014). Improving experience in personal social systems through Family Constellation Seminars: results of a randomised controlled trial. Family Process, 53(2), 288-306.
- Hunger, C., Weinhold, J., Bornhäuser, A., & Schweitzer, J. (2014). Experiencing in social systems: Brief introduction of a new questionnaire and presentation of its results in the Heidelberg RCT study on the effectiveness of systems constellations. Family Dynamics, 39 (4), 316-325.
- Weinhold, J.:, Hunger, C.:, Link, L., Rochon, J., Wild, B., Bornhäuser, A., & Schweitzer, J. (2013). Family constellation seminars increase psychological functioning in a general population sample: results of a randomised controlled trial Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(4): 601-609. :shared first authorship.
- Weinhold, J., Hunger, C., Bornhäuser, A., & Schweitzer, J. (2013). Effectiveness of systemic constellations: Exploratory results of the Heidelberg RCT study. Family Dynamics, 38 (1), 42-51.
Book (chapter)
- Weinhold, J., Bornhäuser, A., Hunger, C., & Schweitzer, J. (eds.) (2014), Dreierlei Wirksamkeit: Forschung über Systemaufstellungen. Heidelberg: Carl-Auer.
Awards and honours
- 2023: Award as one of the 10 best projects in the research specialisation of the Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University
- 2017: "Best Poster" at the German Congress for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy (DKPM)
Project management
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Christina Hunger-Schoppe
Chair holder
Faculty of Health (Department of Psychology and Psychotherapy) | Chair of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy III
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 44
58455 WittenRoom number: 1.124b
