高齢者のカップルセラピーの課題に関する一考察

―家族ライフサイクルの視点から―

抄録

　　The aim of this study was to discuss issues encountered in couples therapy for the elderly through an example of family therapy. Therapy focused on communication between the husband and wife from the perspective of the family life cycle. A main therapist and a sub-therapist who were both female conducted eight psychological sessions with the client couple. Therapy ended when the couple's perceptions changed. Each member of the couple wanted the other to change his or her behavior, but neither changed. Both members of the couple realized that they could not control the other, so changes in communication styles between the two could not be fostered. This example suggested 3 main points regarding issues in couples therapy for the elderly. First, the therapist must deal with a couple's resistance to change, the therapist must accept that changing communication styles will be difficult, and the therapist must have the couple delve into their acquired values and positive attributes. Second, the couple remained physically close as a result of periodic problems during the family life cycle. When conflict occurred, however, they remained psychologically distant due to their ties outside the family. The therapist must focus on this distance. Third, the issue of gender must be dealt with during couples therapy for the elderly. Elderly clients need support to actively express their feelings about gender and to flexibly change their minds and attitudes.