Book Description
A seven-year project developing and testing cuento therapy, a form of child psychotherapy in which Puerto Rican mothers recount to their children folktales taken from Puerto Rican culture, is described and evaluated in this monograph. Chapter 1 explains how the research presented in later chapters fits into substantially broader patterns of research focusing on the treatment of the psychological problems of Hispanic populations living in the United States. Chapter 2 presents an interdisciplinary discussion of traditional folk-healing practices in Puerto Rico, the function of folktales throughout history, the use of storytelling in psychotherapy, the theoretical framework of cuentro therapy, and the mother's role in the therapy. Chapter 3 presents the methodological procedures used in conducting cuento therapy and in evaluating treatment outcomes. Chapter 4 provides results of an analysis of treatment effects on trait anxiety, cognition role-playing observations, and personality profiles. Finally, Chapter 5 presents a general overview of the clinical utility of cuento therapy. The major finding was that cuento therapy was effective in reducing trait anxiety. It also improved cognitive skills relating to social judgment and had some effect on aggressive behavior as observed in role-playing situations. Its effect upon children's personality development was unclear, but its sensitivity to the clients', not the therapists', cultural background should be useful to community mental health centers serving Puerto Rican clients. (KH)
