Using Systems Theory to Improve Intervention Outcomes

Abstract

This article explores the potential of using systems methods for better conceptualizing the unexpected and complex sets of hurdles and opportunities that practicing psychologists frequently encounter. Examples are provided involving two distinct types of important clinical issues: 1) understanding how individuals maintain recovery from substance use disorders following treatment and 2) better understanding patients with chronic, unexplained post-viral illnesses. Traditional research methods used to explore these types of intricate social and medical issues have often lacked sophisticated dynamic systems-based perspectives, which could provide new insights into understanding how patient treatment gains can be maintained and how unexplained post-viral illnesses can be better understood. Our examples will demonstrate that systems-oriented approaches have the potential to provide psychologists unique opportunities to capture a fuller and richer depiction of a variety of clinical and community topics and thus provide new lenses that ultimately could provide better care for our patients.

Figure A .

Few ties amongst members of house number 75 for seeking advice (Gold color designates low recovery score residents; Green color designates high recovery residents).

Figure B .

Strong interconnections amongst members of house number 49 for seeking advice (Gold color designates low recovery score resident; Green color designates high recovery resident, No color indicates resident with neither high or low recovery factor score).

Figure C :

Cytokine Data for Controls. Cytokines colored red are pro-inflammatory, those colored blue are anti-inflammatory. Cytokines not colored have multi-purpose functions.

Figure D :

Cytokine Data at Baseline for Severe ME/CFS participants. Cytokines colored red are pro-inflammatory, those colored blue are anti-inflammatory. Cytokines not colored have multi-purpose functions.