Journal of marital and family therapy最新文献

This study describes the development and tests the validity of the Problem Resolution Scale (PRS)—a single-item measure developed by researchers at Systemic Practice Research Network (SYPRENE) for assessing the degree to which the focal problem of therapy is perceived as resolved. Data were collected at termination from 747 clients seen across 18 therapists. Results suggested good construct validity, supported by a strong correlation between client and therapist perceptions as assessed by the PRS (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). Good criterion validity was also supported by strong correlations between client-reported psychological well-being and functioning at termination and both client-reported (r = −0.63; p < 0.001) and therapist-reported (r = −0.66; p < 0.001) problem resolution scores. Linear mixed model regression and stratified correlation analysis controlling for the therapist and presenting problem effects confirmed criterion validity. Results provide initial evidence for the validity and utility of the PRS.

Cumulative childhood maltreatment (CCM) is associated with relationship difficulties including lower perceived partner responsiveness (PPR)—the degree of feeling cared for, understood, and validated by a person's partner. Attachment theory is understood via its representations of self and others and could offer a better understanding of how CCM effects continue into adulthood and affect PPR. We examined whether CCM is related to PPR via attachment in French-speaking adolescents and young adults. A sample of 427 individuals in a romantic relationship and another sample of 159 couples completed self-report measures. In both samples, a person's CCM was associated with their own lower PPR via their higher attachment anxiety and avoidance. In the dyadic sample, a person's CCM was associated with their partner's lower PPR via their own higher attachment anxiety. Attachment insecurities help understand the associations between CCM and PPR and may represent an important intervention target.

Studies investigating the potential structures underlying the connection between mindfulness and romantic relationship quality are not sufficient and require additional empirical findings. The current study aimed to examine a hypothesized model underlying the association between mindfulness and relationship quality, while investigating the roles of individuals' level of awareness and application of care in a romantic relationship among 199 adult participants in a southeastern region of the United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis were executed to examine the hypothesized structural model, testing a multi-step pathway as to how mindfulness influences relationship quality. The SEM and path analyses showed a good fit for the present study's hypothesized model, indicating that individuals' mindfulness had a direct influence on their self-awareness level. Individuals' self-awareness and application of care mediated the link between mindfulness and relationship quality. Implications for family life educators, dyadic couples researchers, and marriage and family practitioners are discussed.

Attachment theory provides some important insights into couple relationships, including highlighting the importance of communicating one's needs clearly while also having a partner who is properly attuned and appropriately responsive to those needs. The purpose of this study was to provide an initial empirical examination of the signal-response dynamic. More specifically, we used data from 63 couples to examine the efficacy (in terms of psychophysiological arousal and feelings toward their partner) of a micro-intervention designed to help couples improve their signaling and responding when compared to a seminatural condition where the discussion more closely resembled how couples interact at home. We also explored the emotional experience of participants in various signaling and responding roles. Overall, we found preliminary evidence for addressing signaling and responding dynamics. We also found evidence that emotional experience varied according to signaling or responding roles. These findings have important potential clinical implications, which we discuss in depth.

The purpose of this article is to bring empirical evidence to the oft-quoted assumption that sexual quality has a stronger association with the overall relationship when sexuality is dysfunctional as compared to when it is optimal. Using three national samples to analyze a structural equation model, the results verified this assumption with some adaptations. There was an interaction between the association of sexual quality and the overall relationship depending on how sexually satisfied couples were in the sexuality area. However, it was when sexuality was only moderately satisfying rather than at high or low levels that it had the strongest associations with relationship satisfaction. Also, female sexual quality had a significant association with both partner's relationship satisfaction whereas male's sexual quality only had actor effects. Additionally, the sexual relationship had a stronger association with relationship satisfaction and dissatisfaction for couples who reported both low levels of sexual satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

Youth in the juvenile legal system (JLS) evidence high rates of behavioral health concerns but struggle to access services. Given that caregivers are often tasked with helping their child to initiate and persist with services, it seems important to understand how their own well-being impacts their experiences of barriers to treatment participation for their child. The present study examined the link between caregiver (N = 196; 89% female) psychiatric concerns and experiences of treatment barriers among a sample of youth involved in the JLS. A cluster analysis revealed a cluster of caregivers with clinically significant levels of psychiatric distress and a cluster with low levels of psychiatric distress. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that belonging to the high-distress cluster was predictive of experiencing certain types of barriers to treatment participation. These findings have implications for interventions for addressing barriers to treatment participation for caregivers of legally involved youth.

This is the first study to explore the effectiveness of emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) for depressive symptoms and relationship distress among couples in Taiwan. This one-arm pragmatic trial assessed the clinical outcomes of 17 couples using multilevel modeling to investigate changes in depressive symptoms and relationship distress throughout treatment. Over half of the participants were moderately depressed and moderately distressed at baseline. Multilevel models revealed decreased depressive symptoms over time, with a small increase toward the end of treatment. However, no significant changes were observed in relationship distress over time. The study was limited by the low “dose” of EFT (M = 7 sessions) received by participants and the small sample size (n = 17). A comprehensive discussion of the findings from a cultural perspective was provided. Future research is needed to further examine the effectiveness of EFT for couples in Taiwan and Asia.