The Diagnostic Value of the Bene-Anthony Family Relations Test

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether interning psychologists, who used the Bene-Anthony as an evaluation technique in the psychotherapeutic treatment of their clients, were of the opinion that the test results deepened their insight into the nature of their clients' family dynamics. Subjects were 32 children, ages 4 to 16 years, who were referred for evaluation for the presence of emotional or specific developmental disorders. The interns were of the opinion the Bene-Anthony significantly contributed to their understanding of the family dynamics. Family relationships appeared to be more complex after the application of the test than they seemed before, and the test also clarified the negative nature of the family relationships. The Bene-Anthony may be effectively used for evaluation of family systems in which dysfunctionality occurs.