Family Process最新文献

Despite the prominence of individuals presenting for therapy with suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs), there is little research available that examines how one or both members of a couple experience STBs when presenting for couple therapy. Thus, there is a prominent gap in the literature in understanding the types of STBs for both adult partners in a committed romantic relationship presenting for couple therapy, reducing clinicians' preparedness to address suicidality in this unique therapy modality. We applied the Three-Step Theory as a guiding framework to investigate the types of couples with suicidal risk that present to couple therapy. We used clinical data from the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network (n = 337 couples) to identify Dyadic Latent Profiles. We determined a three-profile model: Profile 1: Minimal Risk; Profile 2: Active and Passive Risk; and Profile 3: Both Passive Risk. However, nearly all predictors and covariates (e.g., biological sex, race, relationship duration, mental health treatment, pressure to attend therapy, and intimate partner violence) were not associated with profile membership. These results indicate that while most couples who attend couple therapy are unlikely to display elevated suicide risk, 7% of the sample (Profile 2) displayed active risk based on the Three-Step Theory of suicide. These findings aid clinicians in understanding that a small number of couples present an active risk. Results further encourage clinicians to assess STBs with continuous and not binary assessment questions.

Although intergenerational solidarity and circumplex models are widely used in family science, the articulation between these two theoretical models is less explored, particularly over time and in response to exogenous shocks such as a pandemic. Therefore, we aimed to identify dyadic latent classes of intergenerational solidarity between parents and adult children following the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, and whether the derived classes and their transition patterns were associated with healthy family functioning. Using 2022 (during the pandemic), 2023 (immediate post-pandemic), and 2024 (fully post-pandemic) survey data, we conducted latent class and latent transition analysis with 258 Korean parent–adult child pairs. Multivariate regression was conducted to examine the relationship between transition patterns of solidarity classes and family functioning. Latent class analysis identified the same three latent classes in 2022, 2023, and 2024: tight-knit, distant-but-digitally connected, and ambivalent. Latent transition analysis revealed that the majority of parent and adult child pairs maintained the same solidarity class across the three time points. In multivariate regression analysis, we found that parents and adult children who stayed in the tight-knit solidarity class across the three time points reported healthier post-pandemic family functioning than those who stayed in the ambivalent solidarity class. Our findings suggest that maintaining strong solidarity between parents and adult children is beneficial for healthy family functioning in the aftermath of a global pandemic. Applying both intergenerational solidarity and the circumplex model together can support the identification of problematic family dynamics.

Mindfulness-based couple interventions have been generally recognized as effective in enhancing relationship outcomes. However, it remains unclear specifically for whom and under what conditions such programs benefit couple relationships, leaving important clinical implications overlooked. To answer these questions, the current systematic research synthesis aimed to explore preliminary trends by (a) identifying potential patterns in how relationship benefits may differ based on sample characteristics, (b) comparing conditions of program delivery, and (c) reviewing methodological issues to provide insight for future research and interventions. A search of peer-reviewed quantitative studies published from January 2000 to April 2025 resulted in 444 studies. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 studies involving 2,508 couples plus 328 individuals were included. Overall, most mindfulness-based couple intervention programs included predominantly White, well-educated, different-sex couples and were conducted in multi-couple, in-person group settings. Although some patterns emerged, the limited number and heterogeneity of studies warrant cautious interpretation. Preliminary trends suggested that people of color and low-SES couples could benefit comparably, or in some cases, possibly even more from participating in mindfulness-based couple interventions, especially when programs are tailored to their contexts. Compared to patients with chronic health conditions, their enrolled partners tended to benefit less. Male partners of pregnant women seemed to benefit more. Regarding intervention conditions, the findings on the benefit of homework practices were mixed. Methodological themes (e.g., use of control groups, self-report measures, interdependence among couple members) were also summarized and followed with suggestions for future work (e.g., dismantling studies, observational, physiological, and multi-informant methods).

The open communication about adolescents' emotions between parents and adolescents is pivotal, as it helps adolescents to understand and manage emotional experiences. Utilizing longitudinal data, we aimed to explore whether maternal supportive or nonsupportive responses to adolescents' negative emotions could predict the communication patterns of adolescents' emotional distress (CPAED) between parents and adolescents. Two hundred Chinese adolescents (65.5% boys, M_age = 14.17 years) completed an online survey in March 2022 (Time 1), and 157 of them (66.2% boys, M_age = 15.17 years) completed the survey again in April 2022 (Time 2) after a 5-week COVID-19-induced home confinement with parents. Results with the Cross-Lagged Panel Network (CLPN) Model showed that adolescent-perceived supportive responses predicted later more active and reactive emotion sharing and predicted less problematic CPAED, such as lack of solicitation by mothers and lack of responses by adolescents. Conversely, nonsupportive responses predicted more problematic CPAED over time. The centrality analyses indicated that across the 5-week interval, the maternal supportive responses may have a stronger predictive role on CPAED than nonsupportive responses. This study underscores the necessity for parents to engage in supportive emotional socialization practices to promote healthy emotional communication in adolescent–mother dyads.

Postpartum experiences and challenges faced by fathers in Singapore are often overlooked. A more comprehensive understanding is essential to identify areas for supporting fathers' mental health and developing father-inclusive healthcare strategies, ultimately enhancing family-centered care. The perinatal period is challenging for fathers, with shifts in roles, routine changes, and societal pressures which can lead to anxiety or depression, especially during postpartum. The aim of this paper was to explore the experiences, challenges, emotional, and mental health needs of multi-racial fathers in Singapore during postpartum. We used a descriptive qualitative design. Thirteen fathers were recruited through purposive sampling from a single tertiary hospital in Singapore. They were invited to participate in a one-to-one semi-structured interview via Zoom at 1 month postpartum. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: (a) great expectations and self-blame; (b) dual role of provider-caregiver; (c) when family support helps and hurts; (d) visibility of fathers' mental health. We learned that fathers often suppressed emotional struggles due to societal expectations of masculinity. While they valued caregiving support from family, conflicting parenting beliefs caused tension. Fathers also faced financial pressures, frequently assuming provider roles despite dual-income households, alongside active caregiving responsibilities. The findings highlight the need for discreet, gender-sensitive mental health support, such as routine check-ins and male-oriented services that are tailored to fathers' needs. Future research should develop diagnostic tools specific to paternal postpartum depression for better identification and support.

This study examines the longitudinal associations between relationship satisfaction and emotion regulation (ER) difficulties across 8 sessions of couple therapy. It further tests adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a predictor of these constructs and therapeutic alliance as a moderator of the effects of ACEs. A cross-lagged panel model was used to test actor and partner effects in a sample of 972 different-sex couples at intake, session four, and session eight of relationship therapy. Results suggest there is neither a long-term bidirectional relationship between relationship satisfaction and ER difficulties nor that ACEs are directly related to relationship satisfaction for actors. Instead, ACEs predict ER difficulties at session four, through which there is also an indirect effect on ER difficulties at session eight. Additionally, men's ER difficulties at intake predict women's relationship satisfaction at session four. The therapeutic alliance did neither predict nor moderate the effect of ACEs. Clinical implications include assessing for and intervening on the effects of ACEs, attending to men's early ER and its impact on their partners, and treating ER difficulties and relationship satisfaction concurrently in couple therapy.