Journal of marital and family therapy最新文献

In this study, we used data from 100 heterosexual couples in a committed, romantic relationship to better understand the relationship between perceived mattering (PM) and attachment, and to explore how PM relates to various mental health and relationship outcomes. A linear mixed-effects model examining both actor and partner effects revealed that men reported lower PM in the relationship when their female partner was higher in attachment avoidance. In addition, higher levels of attachment avoidance or attachment anxiety were significantly associated with lower PM for both men and women. A dyadic path analysis model revealed that higher actor and partner PM was significantly associated with higher couple satisfaction and stronger constructive communication patterns for men and women. Stronger needs-based communication was significantly associated with stronger constructive communication for men and women, as well as lower anxiety for women.

Informed by integrative models of cultural resilience, the purpose of this study was to (a) explore how parents are promoting their children's emotional and physical health, with a focus on race and ethnic-racial socialization strategies, and (b) identify the barriers and challenges parents are experiencing in supporting their children's health. Ethnically racially matched qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 parents (82% women, 64% Black, 36% Latiné). Results of thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: (a) Strategies for Promoting Children's Physical and Emotional Health, (b) Challenges Promoting Children's Physical and Emotional Health, and (c) Impact of Racism on Parenting and Children's Health. Most parents believed that racism had an impact on their parenting decisions and their children's health; however, there were some differences in ethnic–racial socialization practices between Black and Latiné parents. Findings have implications for culturally relevant parenting approaches to support children's emotional and physical health.

Since the birth of family therapy, the Milan approach has been known as a foundational systemic model. Nevertheless, following the dissolution of the Milan group, Mara Selvini, alongside Matteo Selvini, Stefano Cirillo, and Anna Maria Sorrentino, began a new trajectory of clinical development, insufficiently examined within the American panorama. After her death, in 1999, the Selvini group continued to adapt and refine her systemic approach which is known today as the systemic-family-individual (SFI) approach. In this article, we delve into the constituents that constitute the SFI approach, elucidating how it furnishes therapists with a structured framework to guide clinical decision-making and the application of integrated theoretical concepts. Ultimately, the article exemplifies the SFI approach's practical application via a clinical case study, showcasing its efficacious navigation.

As diversity in the United States increases, marriage and family therapists are encountering more multi-heritage couples in therapy. Recent research shows that around 11% of adults are married to someone from a different racial or ethnic group, rising to 19% among new marriages. Multi-heritage couples encompass inherent differences in race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, and culture. This article addresses the unique challenges faced by multi-heritage couples in therapy and explores the strengths and weaknesses of existing assessment tools suitable for their needs. The study highlights a limited number of existing tools that are available for therapists working with multi-heritage couples. Consequently, the article suggests future directions to enhance the development of assessment tools tailored to the specific needs of multi-heritage couples.

The connection between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and anxiety disorders is well-documented. Additionally, therapy has been shown to be effective at reducing anxiety symptoms. Yet more needs to be known about how ACEs may shape the process of therapy and the trajectory of anxiety symptoms. This study was designed to compare the trajectory of improvement in anxiety symptoms over the course of 12 sessions of therapy in adults (N = 472), who reported more (greater than four) and fewer (fewer than four) ACEs using a multigroup latent growth curve analysis. Data were drawn from the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network database. Results suggested that the rate of improvement in those with more and fewer ACEs was not significantly different; however, those with more ACEs had a significantly higher average starting point of anxiety symptoms.

Desire discrepancies are a common source of relationship conflict and one reason adults may seek couples counseling. Within romantic relationships, adults individually experience sexual and affectionate desire, but also experience desire relative to their partner. If desire discrepancies exist, partners may attempt to resolve these discrepancies. Thus, we examined adults' strategies for managing sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies. Our sample consisted of 300 adults (45% women; M_age = 29.5; 86.3% LGBTQ+) who were in a romantic relationship and reported a desire discrepancy. Thematic analysis revealed five strategies for managing desire discrepancies: alternative behaviors, communication, doing nothing, engaging in behaviors anyway, and giving control to a specific partner. Adults reported similar strategies for resolving sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies. Perceived effectiveness and strategies varied by whether adults thought that their discrepancies were problematic. Our findings hold implications for clinicians approaching problematic desire discrepancies, and suggest strategies that may promote effective resolutions.

Family weight talk, in the forms of both family weight teasing and encouragement to diet, has been linked to numerous adverse outcomes, including increased disordered eating, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and body mass index. However, little is known about its role in mental health outcomes, especially for emerging adults. Utilizing structural equation modeling, we examined the role of family weight teasing (FWT) and parental encouragement to diet in anxiety and depression and explored body weight perception as a moderator within a sample of 292 emerging adults. Results indicated that FWT was significantly associated with increased anxiety and depression. No significant relationships were found between parental encouragement to diet and the outcome variables, and no group differences emerged across body weight perception. Findings of this pilot study can be used to inform future research to decrease family weight talk and improve psychosocial outcomes for emerging adults.

The proliferation of technology has accelerated exponentially over the past 50 years. Contemporarily, researchers have explored the influences technology use is having on individuals and relationships. Theoretical frameworks such as the couple, family, and technology (CFT) Framework have been applied to individuals and couples in committed relationships to better understand the implications of technology adoption and use within this relational subsystem. Research examining technology's impact on couple relationships recognizes the potential for technology use to be either helpful or unhelpful to the relationship but fails to fully examine the helpful aspects of technology use. This study addresses this gap with the creation of a theory grounded in data from N = 45 couples (n = 90 individuals) in committed relationships. Results indicate couples' technology use can augment emotional connection and unity within the relationship as couples manage the influence of technology in a way that is relationally helpful.

The study aimed to evaluate the Couples' Closeness–Distance Scale (CCDS), an observational assessment reflecting couples' relational dynamics; based on joint-drawing, it offers measurable dimensions. Forty cohabiting Israeli couples participated in the joint-drawing task and answered self-report questionnaires for attachment, differentiation of self, and relationship satisfaction. The paintings were assessed by trained observers on the CCDS scales (too distant, too close, autonomy, engagement) for both the women's and men's experiences. A two-level-dyadic model showed that differentiation and relationship satisfaction predicted the CCDS and revealed a “pursue–withdraw cycle”: Women sensed the men as too distant, while men sensed the women as too close. Participants' sense of discomfort from their partners' distance related to less autonomy and engagement during the painting, with a greater effect on the women. The pilot implies that the CCDS enables observing dyadic-systemic aspects of couple dynamics and may enrich clinical evaluation.

Monitoring the therapeutic alliance throughout treatment can improve client outcomes and lead to improved care. The individual, couple, and family versions of the intersession alliance measure (IAM) were developed to facilitate routine monitoring of the expanded therapeutic alliance. Psychometric properties of the three versions of the IAM were examined using a clinical sample. Participants were drawn from clinics in the United States participating in the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network. Using this sample, results indicate that items on each version of the IAM load on one factor, are invariant across sex, and that each version has good internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and concurrent validity. The IAM-C and IAM-F also have good predictive validity, while the IAM-I has more limited evidence for its predictive validity. These results suggest that the IAMs are valid and reliable measures that can facilitate the routine monitoring of the expanded therapeutic alliance in psychotherapy.