| The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the attitudes, knowledge and behavior of Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) treatments and psychotropic drugs, as well as to investigate what influences MFTs' attitude, knowledge, and behavior toward CAM and psychotropic drugs. Noteworthy research has been conducted in the medical field regarding attitudes toward CAM and psychotropic drugs; however, limited research has been conducted regarding MFTs. The present study was conducted with 133 MFTs. Results of this study indicated that MFTs have a desire to learn about CAM treatments, and that factors such as CAM knowledge, completion of a CAM course, personal CAM use, and personal experience with psychotropic drugs influence the MFT's decision to make a CAM referral and/or use CAM with clients. Additionally, an MFT's knowledge of psychotropic drugs and their effects influence the decision to have a relationship with a medication referral source. Implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed. |
