Family Science

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2239

Formerly known as the Department of Family Studies.

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Communication

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    The Influence of the Interaction Between Trust and Cognitions on Aggressive and Withdraw Communication Behavior Between Members of Clinical Couples
    (2012) Ross, Donald Bruce; Werlinich, Dr. Carol A.; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The purpose of this study was to examine the moderation effect of avoidance and aggressive cognitions on the relationship between levels of trust and levels of negative communication behavior, within a clinical sample of 60 heterosexual couples who had experienced mild-to-moderate conflict or abuse in the relationship. Results were found separately for males and females. For males, a non-significant positive trend was found suggesting avoidance cognitions have an effect on the relationship between trust and avoidance communication behavior. Females showed a significant association between avoidance cognitions and withdraw communication behaviors. The level of trust and the level of aggressive cognitions were significantly predictive of aggressive communication behavior in males. And the level of trust and the level of avoidance cognitions were significantly predictive of withdraw communication behavior in females. Implications for clinical interventions are discussed.
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    PARTNER'S CONFLICT BEHAVIOR AND RECIPIENT'S ATTACHMENT STYLE AS PREDICTORS OF PERCEIVED CRITICISM IN CLINICAL COUPLES
    (2011) Savory, Kara Lee; Epstein, Norman B; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The association between critical communication behavior exhibited by one member of a couple during a conversation and the amount of criticism that is perceived by the person's partner was explored. The study investigated whether that association is moderated by the degrees to which the recipient of messages identifies with each of four attachment styles (secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing). The sample was 95 couples who had sought therapy at a university-based couple and family therapy clinic. Each couple engaged in a 10-minute discussion of a conflictual issue in their relationship, which was video-recorded and subsequently coded for constructive and destructive communication behavior, including criticism. For both men and women, the amount of actual criticism predicted the amount perceived. Attachment styles did not directly predict the amount of criticism perceived, but there was evidence that for both genders attachment styles moderated the relationship between the degree of conflict behavior exhibited by the partner and the amount of criticism that the recipient perceived.
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    The Role of Provider-Role Ideology and Consistency in Couple Communication
    (2010) Brenneman, Jessica Lynn; Leslie, Leigh A; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    This study investigated how problem solving and conflict in couples' communication is affected by their beliefs about provider role ideology, and the consistency between their beliefs and their actions. It was predicted that couples who have the same provider-role ideology and couples who are consistent in their behavior and beliefs will use more problem solving and less hostile conflict behaviors than couples who are unmatched in their beliefs or inconsistent in beliefs and behavior. Contrary to predictions, no relationship between ideology, consistency, and communication was found. However, the results did show a significant relationship between women earning a large portion of the household income and greater amounts of hostile conflict in the couple communication. The implications for future research and clinical applications are discussed.
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    Communication Behaviors, Perception of Criticism, Changes in Emotional State, and Relationship Satisfaction in African American and Caucasian Heterosexual Couples
    (2006-08-10) Galloway, Serena Christine; Werlinich, Carol; Epstein, Norman B; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among partners'communication behaviors, perception of criticism, emotional state, and relationship satisfaction among African American and Caucasian couples. Partners' perception of criticism was examined as a mediator of the relationship between communication behaviors and emotional state, as well as relationship satisfaction. The influence of partners' perception of criticism was expected to vary by culture/race. Secondary analyses were conducted for 29 Caucasian and 20 African American heterosexual couples presenting for therapy at a university-based clinic as part of the ongoing Couples Abuse Prevention Program. Couples completed self-report measures of perceived criticism and dyadic adjustment, as well as completing a 10-minute communication sample and reporting their moods before and after the discussion. Results supported perception of criticism as a mediator, and the association between negative communication behavior and partners' perception of criticism was stronger for Caucasian husbands than for African American husbands.