Family Science

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

Formerly known as the Department of Family Studies.

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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.
The Influence of Inhibited Expression of Anger, Perceived Control by Partner, and Withdrawal Cognitions on the Association between Conflict and Relationship Dissolution
(2010) Jimerson, Kirsten Elizabeth; Epstein, Dr. Norman; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
Although there has been a large amount of attention on partners' behavior during conflict and its connection with relationship dissolution, little is known about the individuals' internal experiences during conflict that are associated with relationship instability. The current study investigated whether three internal experiences, the suppression of anger, perceived control by partner, and thoughts about withdrawal, play roles in the relation between conflict and dissolution of couple relationships. The study used assessment data from 69 couples who sought therapy at an outpatient therapy clinic, serving an ethnically and socio-economically diverse population. Analyses tested the main effects of the internal experience variables and their interactions with level of relationship conflict as predictors of steps taken toward relationship dissolution. Findings indicated that the internal experience variables did not play the anticipated moderating role, but they were found to be partial mediators in the relation between conflict and relationship dissolution.
Parenting Style as a Moderator between Maternal Trauma Symptoms and Child Psychological Distress
(2010) Cook, Emily; Leslie, Leigh A; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
Current research suggests parents who experience symptoms of trauma transfer distress to their children. The purpose of this study was to understand the possible moderating effect of mothers' parenting style on this relationship. The level of maternal trauma, use of parenting styles, and child psychological distress was examined for a clinical sample (n=113) of mother and child dyads. Results indicated that mothers who experience high levels of trauma symptoms are more likely to parent using authoritarian or permissive behaviors. Mothers experiencing high levels of trauma symptoms who parent with a high use of authoritarian behaviors have children who experience more depression than those whose mothers use fewer authoritarian behaviors. However, mothers experiencing high levels of trauma symptoms who parent with a high use of permissive behaviors have children who experience less depression than those whose mothers use fewer permissive behaviors. The empirical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Negotiation of Health Risks and Risk Management for Young Adult BRCA1/2-Positive Women: Implications for Partnering and Family Formation
(2010) Hoskins, Lindsey Megan; Roy, Kevin M; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
In the mid-1990s, genetic testing was introduced for two breast and ovarian cancer predisposition genes: BRCA1 and BRCA2. For mutation carriers, lifetime risks of breast and ovarian cancer approach 90%, and 54%, respectively, versus general population risks of 12% and 2%. Women testing positive for mutations during young adulthood face numerous challenges related to navigating basic life course tasks, including establishing permanent couple relationships, family formation, and risk-management decision-making. These complex choices require young carriers to balance personal and family desires and provider recommendations for health maintenance and disease avoidance against their own desires/plans for personal, relationship, and family fulfillment. How they accomplish these tasks is significantly influenced by their experiences with cancer in close relatives, personal cancer risk assessment, and partner presence and support. Although the experience of older carriers and cancer survivors has been thoughtfully explored, little attention has been paid to the experiences of younger women. Using qualitative methods and grounded theory, I analyzed in-depth interviews with forty women aged 18-35 who knew themselves to be BRCA1/2-positive. Participants were recruited from: 1) an ongoing NCI Clinical Genetics Branch Breast Imaging Study; 2) the membership of FORCE, an online support network for mutation-positive individuals; and 3) snowball sampling, whereby participants referred others whom they knew to be mutation-positive. Using a semi-structured, open-ended interview format, participants were asked about family relationships and background; couple relationships; experiences and perceptions regarding family formation; and experiences and perceptions related to utilization of risk management strategies over time (i.e., surveillance, chemoprevention, risk-reducing surgery). Questions were developed using sensitizing concepts from the biopsychosocial perspective on health and illness and life course perspective, as well as attachment and feminist theories. Interviews were conducted by telephone, digitally recorded and transcribed, and analyzed using QSR N-Vivo software, version 8. The data-driven model indicates that risk perception and management decisions are closely tied to family and couple relationship experiences. Young mutation carriers aggressively and courageously utilize agency to alter their life trajectories while minimizing sacrifice to their family and relationship ideals, thereby freeing themselves from mutation-related emotional and physical constraints, and regaining control over their genetic destiny.
The Prevalence and Role of Avoidance Coping Methods for Latinos in the United States
(2009) Stevenson, Tiffani Debra; Leslie, Leigh A; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
Current research concerning Latinos in the United States has indicated that they are at a higher risk for mental illness (e.g., PTSD) than other racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to understand the possible function a culturally normative coping style plays in the occurrence of depression for Latinos when compared to other racial/ethnic groups. The prevalence of avoidance coping methods and the relationship of depression and avoidance coping was examined for a sample (N=429) of Latino (n=129) White (n=150) and Black (n=150) clients. Results indicated that the frequency with which Latinos engaged in avoidance coping was no different than other groups. However, Black participants were significantly more likely to use avoidance coping that White participants. Furthermore, the use of defensive avoidance coping was linked to high depression; however there was no race/ethnicity by avoidance coping interaction. The empirical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Stressor Events, Resources, and Depressive Symptoms in Rural, Low-Income Mothers
(2008-08-11) Waldman, Joanna; Braun, Bonnie; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
This study, based on stress theory, sought to understand whether resources moderate the effects of stressors on depressive symptoms over time among a sample of rural, low-income mothers. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized to explain the phenomena under investigation. Results revealed that higher numbers of stressors were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. At time one, resources were found to moderate the effects of stressors on depressive symptoms, with higher levels of resources and higher levels of stress producing the greatest level of depressive symptoms. At time two, resources did not moderate the effects of stressors on depressive symptoms. This study found that resources do not always serve a protective function. One explanation appears to be the "hidden cost" of resources revealed in the mothers' interviews. Recommendations for future research and practical applications are discussed.
Understanding Bulimia: A Qualitative Exploration of the Roles of Race, Culture, and Family
(2008-07-21) Southard, Ashley Larsen; Leslie, Leigh A.; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
The eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, is a serious physical and mental illness destroying the lives of millions of men, women, and their families. It is characterized by recurrent binge eating and compensatory behaviors (e.g., self-induced vomiting), and afflicts 1-5% of the general U.S. population. Unlike other eating disorders that appear to affect specific racial groups, bulimia more equally affects people of all races. Yet, very little attention has been given to learning about the ways in which women from diverse racial/cultural backgrounds experience bulimia. Thus, the present qualitative study explored the question: How do young African American, Latina, and Caucasian women describe their experiences with bulimia within their racial, cultural, and familial contexts? Open-ended, in-person interviews were conducted with 33 young adult women (ages 18-30) who self-identified as African American, Latina, or Caucasian and who experienced bulimia while living with a parent. Questions were based on sensitizing concepts taken from feminist and family systems theories, and encouraged women to explore their perceptions of how their racial, cultural, and familial contexts influenced their experiences with bulimia. A modified grounded theory approach was used to interpret the data, and findings were organized at sociocultural, familial, and individual levels. Common experiences for many of the women, regardless of race, included sociocultural pressure to be thin; unhealthy family environments that included poor communication, strained relationships, and emphasis on members' appearances; and individual management of comorbid psychological disorders and emotions. Unique processes related to African American women's and Latinas' experiences with bulimia included living in a bicultural context with cultural and familial stigmas surrounding mental health. Additionally, African American women reported overall healthier family environments, in which they had supportive relationships and more open communication. Based on these findings, the theoretical framework was enhanced with race- and culture-specific models. Implications for research related to diverse families' experiences with eating disorders, policies designed to help people of all backgrounds affected by eating disorders, as well as the development of culturally sensitive therapy interventions for families affected by bulimia are discussed.
Attachment and Demand/Withdraw Behavior in Couple Interactions: The Moderating Role of Conflict Level
(2008-05-05) Opel, Katelyn Cogan; Epstein, Norman; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
This study examined the relations between clinical couples' secure, preoccupied, dismissive, and fearful avoidant attachment styles and their constructive, demanding, and withdrawing dyadic conflict resolution communication behavior. It also tested whether overall level of relationship conflict moderated the relation between attachment style and communication. The study was a secondary analysis of preexisting data, using a sample of 72 couples who completed assessments at the Center for Healthy Families at the University of Maryland, College Park. The subset of assessment material used for this study included the Relationship Questionnaire, Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Communication Patterns Questionnaire. Results indicated that attachment style was related to types of conflict communication behavior. Also, couples reporting low levels of conflict used more mutual constructive communication than those reporting high levels of conflict. Implications of the study's findings for therapeutic work with couples and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The Associations of Depression Symptoms, Withdrawal Behaviors, and Withdrawal Cognitions with Intimate Behavior and Pleasure from Partner's Intimate Behaviors Among Clinical Couples
(2008-05-05) Finkbeiner, Nicole; Epstein, Norman; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
This study examined the association between withdrawing behaviors, withdrawal cognitions, and depression symptoms and both the degree of the individual's own intimate behavior and his/her pleasure from receiving intimate behavior from a partner. Results indicated that thoughts or cognitions involving the desire to distance oneself from an interaction were significantly related to lower levels of intimate behavior and lower levels of pleasure experienced from a partner's intimate behavior. Further, there was a trend toward support for the notion that individuals with higher levels of depression symptoms engage in lower levels of intimate behavior. For females, the presence of depression symptoms was associated with less pleasure experienced from a partner's intimate behavior. In contrast, avoidant behavior during conflict was not found to be associated with the initiation of intimate relationship behavior and was only associated with the amount of pleasure that females experienced from intimate behavior.
The Relations Among Maternal Depression, Parenting Behaviors, and Adolescents' Perceptions of Family Functioning: The Moderating Effect of Mothers' Couple Relationship Status
(2008-05-05) Drescher, Amanda; Epstein, Norman; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
This study examined relations among maternal depression, parenting behaviors, and adolescents' perceptions of family functioning. It also investigated whether parenting behavior mediated the relation between maternal depression and adolescents' perceptions of family functioning, as well as whether mother's couple relationship status moderated the relation between depression and parenting behavior. Maternal depression was not associated with adolescents' perceptions of family functioning. Maternal depression was associated with authoritarian and permissive parenting but not with authoritative parenting. Authoritarian and permissive parenting was associated with adolescents' perceptions of less positive family functioning, whereas authoritative parenting was associated with perceptions of more positive family functioning. Parenting behavior did not mediate between maternal depression and adolescents' perceptions of family functioning. Overall, mother's couple relationship status did not moderate the relation between maternal depression and parenting behavior; but there was a trend for the relation between depression and permissive parenting to be stronger when mothers were unpartnered.

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