Couple and Family Psychology-Research and Practice最新文献

Research suggests that addressing sexual difficulties and concerns may enhance sexual satisfaction and, in turn, improve sexual and relationship outcomes among partnered individuals. This study examined whether perceived quality of sexual communication indirectly links insecure attachment (i.e., anxious and avoidant attachment) to sexual satisfaction among college students. Further, this study assesses sexual satisfaction by measuring both participants' own sexual satisfaction (i.e., self-sexual satisfaction) as well as their satisfaction derived from their partner's sexual experiences (i.e., partner-derived sexual satisfaction). This assessment of sexual satisfaction is relatively new within the literature. Participants (N = 352; 84.9% identified as female, 13.6% male, 1.4% gender diverse) were undergraduates from a southeastern university who identified as sexually active and were involved in a sexual relationship and/or romantic relationship. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling and were on average, 18.78 years old. Most participants identified as heterosexual (88.40%) and the remaining identified as bisexual (8.20%), queer (2.30%), gay (1.70%), lesbian (0.60%), and pansexual (0.60%). We collected cross-sectional survey data across three semester waves (Spring 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023) and tested hypotheses using path analysis. Results revealed that both anxious and avoidant attachment were indirectly related to self-sexual satisfaction and partner-derived sexual satisfaction through perceptions of worse sexual communication. Clinicians could consider assessing and targeting attachment-related concerns and sexual communication skills when working with couples and individuals experiencing sexual dissatisfaction. Moreover, future research might explore and develop therapeutic interventions that improve sexual communication strategies, particularly among those high in attachment insecurity.

Dyadic research among male couples is of increasing interest to researchers, as relationship factors have been implicated in a variety of physical and mental health outcomes. A small evidence base suggests samples of same-gender couples that participate in research may be biased towards those with better relationship quality. Unfortunately, this research is limited and has not examined perceptions that might determine a respondent's willingness to recruit their partner, such as the perception that a partner would be willing to participate. This study examined whether relationship quality (i.e., satisfaction, commitment, and intimacy) was associated with perceptions of a partner's willingness to participate in dyadic research among same-gender male couples. Partnered sexual minority men (n = 5,317) recruited from dating/social networking applications completed a brief online survey. Bivariate analyses suggested that satisfaction, commitment, and intimacy were all associated with perceptions of a partner's willingness to participate in research, which persisted in the multivariable, multinominal regression models. Those who were younger, and living with HIV, as well as those with younger partners, were more likely to perceive their partner as willing to participate. Samples in dyadic research involving male couples might over-represent those with better relationship quality. They may also over-represent relatively younger sexual minority men and those living with HIV. Recruitment strategies should explore ways to facilitate the recruitment of couples with lower relationship quality to facilitate the generalizability of evidence-based practice.

Substance use disparities are well-documented among sexual minority men (SMM) and substance use is associated with increased sexual HIV transmission risk. SMM in relationships may engage in dyadic coping whereby partners establish explicit joint goals restricting health-limiting behaviors. This formative study examined discussion of substance use concerns and substance use limit setting in 50 male couples. Eligible couples were recruited between March 2018 and March 2020. All participants (n = 100) were cisgender adult males. Each couple included at least one partner who was aged 18-29; reported drug use and sexual HIV transmission risk; and was HIV-negative. Partners in 35 couples (70%) agreed about whether they had discussed substance use related concerns or not; in 36 couples (72%) partners concurred they had discussed the possibility of setting substance use limits; and in 9 couples (18%), both partners asserted that they had established a specific limit. In addition to abstinence, couples formed rules limiting the type, quantity, timing and motivational context of use. The 16 couples (32%) who discussed but did not set a limit provided open-ended responses that emphasized global desire for change, saw past failures as a barrier to current goal setting, or comprised partners who had different perceptions of the content discussions. Measures of substance use problems provided preliminary evidence they might covary with limit setting. Findings generally align with theories of interdependence and health. These posit that couples who have substance use concerns and can successfully negotiate shared limits may be more successful at regulating use.

Relationships and social support have direct effects on opioid misuse, which is highly prevalent and associated with morbidity and mortality. However, there is a dearth of research focusing on the characteristics and quality of intimate relationships in the context of opioid misuse, which is important for informing interventions with the dual target of improving intimate relationships and reducing opioid use. The current study surveyed individuals with opioid misuse who are in intimate relationships to characterize how they perceive (1) their relationship functioning and (2) how their intimate partners impact their opioid use. Individual participants (N=93) were recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (mTurk) and answered quantitative survey questions related to their opioid and other substance use, intimate relationship quality and functioning, and intimate partners' behaviors in relation to their opioid use. Opioid misuse severity significantly differed by sexuality and rates of polysubstance use were high in this sample. Many participants reported low relationship quality and intimate partner violence in their relationship. Some participants reported using opioids with their intimate partners (33.3%) and having an intimate partner who had overdosed on opioids (15.1%). Many participants also reported that arguments with intimate partners impacted their opioid cravings (52.7%) and that they have an interest in couples treatment for opioid use (80.7%). Findings highlight links between intimate relationships and opioid misuse and identify areas in which behavioral treatments may be adapted to address the needs of couples with OUD. Future research should replicate the current findings in larger and more diverse samples.

Relationship distress can impact various dynamics within romantic relationships. Disclosure of trauma commonly occurs in relationships and can mitigate posttraumatic stress symptoms. Social support from one's romantic partner (i.e., partner support) can facilitate a supportive environment conducive to disclosure. The current study investigated how type and adequacy of partner support influenced the association between relationship distress and trauma disclosure avoidance among 254 partnered individuals with a trauma history. Data was collected from participant questionnaires from March 2021 to December 2021. Stratified moderation analyses were conducted for participants with and without probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results indicated that among those without probable PTSD, no moderation effects emerged (ps = .470-.910). However, partner support showed significant moderation effects across all support types (ps = .001-007) for participants with probable PTSD. Specifically, at low levels of relationship distress, underprovision of partner support was associated with the highest levels of trauma disclosure avoidance; whereas at high levels of relationship distress, the pattern inversed such that overprovision of partner support was associated with greater trauma disclosure avoidance. Findings underscore the critical role of partner support in disclosure behaviors of individuals with probable PTSD. Clinical implications include emphasizing the importance of reducing relationship distress and fostering supportive romantic relationships to enhance the environment for potential trauma disclosure.

Romantic couples moving in together (i.e., cohabitation) is a normative stage of romantic relationships, and people report different reasons for moving in together. Few studies have examined whether reasons for cohabitation have implications for relationship functioning over time. This study investigated how three commonly endorsed reasons for cohabitation (i.e., to spend time together, to test the relationship, and out of convenience) were associated with relationship outcomes (relationship functioning and dissolution) over time. In a five-year longitudinal study (from 2007 to 2012), adults (N=485) who were in opposite-sex relationships and moved in with their partner were surveyed on their reasons for cohabitation (closest in time to moving in together), and their relationship status and functioning (in up to 11 waves of surveys). Results showed that greater endorsement of cohabiting to spend time together predicted better overall relationship functioning after cohabiting. Greater endorsement of testing the relationship predicted worse overall relationship functioning and a higher likelihood of relationship dissolution after cohabiting. Moving in together out of convenience did not predict post-cohabitation relationship outcomes. The three reasons did not predict over-time trajectories (i.e., slopes) of relationship functioning. Instead, people showed similar trajectories of relationship functioning after moving in together regardless of their reasons for cohabitation, albeit at different levels that were differentiated at the time of moving in together. Reasons for cohabitation appear to reflect pre-existing relationship quality, instead of impacting its post-cohabitation trajectories. Findings highlight the importance of couples discussing their reasons for cohabitation when making decisions about moving in together.

The transition to parenthood is a major life event in which romantic partners undergo significant changes in their relationship. For this reason, understanding the ways that couples change and adapt when welcoming a child into their home has been of longstanding interest to couple and family psychologists. The major body of research on the transition to parenthood has successfully built a strong understanding of relationship development during this important period, but these insights have been overwhelmingly focused on the experience of affluent married couples, with little focus on changes in the relationships of unmarried couples, or those from economically and racially minoritized backgrounds. To increase our knowledge about the transition to parenthood among couples who have historically been excluded from couple and family psychology research, the current research describes a study designed to yield a sample of one particular group of couples who have been underrepresented in the transition to parenthood literature, namely low-income, unmarried, Spanish-speaking couples living in the United States. We present a narrative description of our processes as well as descriptive statistics for (1) recruitment strategies, (2) scheduling and administering data collection sessions, and (3) characteristics of couples who ultimately participated in the study. Results of this study will help inform other researchers who wish to expand our understanding of the transition to parenthood period by moving beyond samples of married, affluent, White, English-speaking couples.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been proposed to have a negative effect on couple relationships, particularly for sexual and gender minorities assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB), who report more COVID-related stress than cisgender/heterosexual people and already face stigma-related stressors. This mixed-method study aimed to describe perceived changes in SGM-AFAB relationship functioning during the pandemic, identify correlates of these changes, and use qualitative data to contextualize the findings. From June 2020-July 2021, 227 SGM-AFAB in current romantic relationships completed measures of perceived changes in relationship functioning during the pandemic, negative life impacts of COVID, individual and relationship demographics, and relationship processes (relationship quality, destructive conflict, and partner support). Participants also provided open-ended responses regarding their positive relationship experiences during the pandemic. Findings indicated that most participants perceived improvements in relationship satisfaction, confidence, communication, and dyadic coping; very few perceived negative changes. Perceived changes in relationship functioning were not associated with negative COVID impacts, duration of the pandemic, or with individual or relationship demographic factors. However, higher quality relationship processes were associated with more positive perceived changes in relationship functioning. Qualitative data indicated that participants valued the companionship, support, and stability of their relationships during the pandemic, and many felt that social distancing had provided time for them to engage in joint activities, communication, physical intimacy, and relationship improvement efforts.

Purpose: Adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM) are three to four times more likely to experience depression or anxiety than their heterosexual peers. ASMM in romantic relationships may be at higher risk of developing anxiety and depression symptoms, yet studies examining relationship quality as a predictor of mental health ASMM is limited.

Methods: Partnered ASMM (n = 50) were recruited using online advertisements posted on social media and geo-dating mobile application. Linear regressions models were calculated to test associations between relationship quality, minority stress, and mental health (i.e.., depression, anxiety). Models adjusted for age, race, and relationship length.

Results: Relationship quality and minority stressors predicted worse mental health outcomes. Specifically, relationship quality was positively associated with depression (β = .50, p < .001) and anxiety (β = .26, p = .038). Similarly, Social marginalization was associated with depression (β = .55, p = < .001) and anxiety (β = .67, p <.001), while family rejection was only associated with depression (β = .27 p <.03).

Discussion: This study demonstrates the relevance of relationship quality and minority stress to the mental health of partnered ASMM. Unlike the pattern seen in adults, relationship quality predicted worse depression. Future research is needed to understand the mechanism in which relationship characteristics influence mental health to inform future prevention and intervention efforts.

Since the early 1990s, coparenting - a conceptual framework connecting clinical insights from structural family therapy to theory and research on development of infants and toddlers within relationship systems - has brought new perspective to family and developmental science while hinting at ramifications for clinical practice. Coparenting theory and research evolved side-by-side with careful, intensive study of mother-father-child triangular relationships in families with very young children, work that expanded in recent years to include studies of other coparent-child triangular systems, such as those involving mothers, grandmothers, and infants. Until now, however, there has been no coordinated expert guidance for bringing concepts expounded in research studies of coparenting and triangular relationships to practitioners who work in infant-family mental health and family therapy contexts. In 2022, a Collaborative of family-oriented infant mental health experts from seven countries, all bringing proficiency in assessing and working with coparenting and triangular family dynamics in research or clinical settings, organized to review and identify common agreed-upon behavioral manifestations of coparenting during triangular interactions. Recognizing four central dimensions capturing how coparents and children organize when interacting together as a triangular system (engagement, teamwork, conflict, and child focus), the International Coparenting Collaborative (ICC) explains in this report how a standardized observational assessment, the Lausanne Trilogue Play (or LTP) can be used to identify coparenting strengths and challenges and elevate practitioners' attunement to coparenting dynamics within their therapeutic contexts.