Family Science

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

Formerly known as the Department of Family Studies.

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Psychology, Clinical

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 14
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Depression in One or Both Partners and the Efficacy of Couple Therapy
    (2010) Juzaitis, Leanne Marie; Epstein, Norman B; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Although considerable research has been conducted on common factors affecting individual therapy, little research has investigated common factors in couple therapy. The present study examines depression in one or both partners as one of the potential common client factors affecting couple therapy. The study uses data from 55 couples who sought therapy for relationship issues at a large university-based family therapy clinic that serves an ethnically diverse population. The results suggest that, at least within the range of depression represented in this couple and family therapy clinic sample, there is no difference in therapy outcome between couples experiencing mild depression and those with minimal to no depression. However, there was some evidence that therapy was less effective when the male partner suffered from depression. This study is important in redirecting the attention of couple therapists to males' depression as opposed to the traditional focus on females' depression.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP COMMITMENT, POSITIVE AND ANXIOUS EMOTIONAL AROUSAL, AND COMMUNICATION IN CLINIC COUPLES
    (2009) Mena, Leidy Magdalena; Esptein, Norman B.; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    This study examined relationships among partners' relationship commitment, positive and anxious forms of emotional arousal prior to engaging in a discussion of a conflictual relationship issue, and subsequent communication behavior, in a sample of clinical couples who had experienced psychologically and mild to moderate physically abusive interactions. A secondary analysis was conducted with data from 68 couples who had sought therapy for relationship problems. Results indicated that men and women with higher commitment experienced less anxious arousal and more positive emotional arousal prior to engaging in problem-solving. Greater commitment in men was associated with more constructive communication behaviors, and women with higher levels of anxiety engaged in more negative communication. Men's positive emotional arousal was associated with more positive communication behavior and less negative communication behavior. Men's positive emotional arousal mediated between commitment and constructive communication behaviors; however, anxious emotional arousal did not. Implications for couple therapy are discussed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    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.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    CLINICAL COUPLES' AGGRESSIVE AND WITHDRAWAL COGNITIONS AND BEHAVIOR: THEIR INDEPENDENT AND COMBINED ASSOCIATIONS WITH THE RECIPIENTS' TRUST AND RELATIONSHIP COMMITMENT
    (2009) Parnell, Kenneth J.; Epstein, Norman; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    This study examined the relations of partners' aggressive cognitions and behaviors and withdrawal cognitions and behaviors with the recipient's trust in the partner and commitment to their relationship. It involved a secondary analysis of data from a sample of 82 couples who sought therapy at a university-based couple and family therapy clinic serving the local community. The sample had been identified through pre-therapy assessments as experiencing some degree of psychological aggression and/or mild to moderate physical aggression in their relationships. Relations between aggressive thoughts and behaviors, as well as withdrawal thoughts and behaviors, and levels of the other partner's trust and commitment to the relationship were tested. Results indicated significant associations of greater aggressive and withdrawal behaviors and cognitions with lower partner commitment and trust, and that cognitions are associated with partner trust and commitment even when controlling for the individual's associated behavior.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Evaluating an Evidence-Based Intervention for Families and Survivors after Traumatic Brain Injury: The Brain Injury Family Intervention
    (2008-10-28) Stejskal, Taryn M; Epstein, Norman; Kreutzer, Jeffrey; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The long-term detrimental impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on individuals and their family members is well known. However, there have been few standardized family interventions or findings from treatment efficacy studies to guide clinical practice. The Brain Injury Family Intervention (BIFI) is an evidence-based, five-session, manualized clinical intervention, provided for both family members and the injured person. Guided by cognitive behavioral theory, the program provides education, skill building, and psychological support for both persons with brain injury and their family members. The objective of the present study was to test the efficacy of the BIFI as it was designed to improve the emotional well-being and life quality of persons with brain injury and their family members. Evaluation occurred in an outpatient neuropsychology department attached to a major academic medical center, with a sample of 53 family member caregivers of 53 TBI survivors. It was hypothesized that the BIFI would increase the proportion of caregivers' met needs, decrease their psychological distress, increase their perception that survivors' neurological functioning had improved, and reduce perceived obstacles to obtaining services. It also was hypothesized that the BIFI would result in improved neurological functioning for survivors. A secondary analysis of existing data using repeated measures mixed models was used to analyze four self-report measures for family members: (1) the Family Needs Questionnaire (FNQ); (2) the Service Obstacles Scale (SOS); (3) the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18); and (4) the Neurological Functioning Inventory (NFI). Survivors' neurological functioning was examined based on their own self-report data, also measured by the NFI. Data were collected at pre-treatment, immediate post-treatment and at a three-month follow-up after treatment. Statistical analyses revealed that, after participating in the BIFI program, caregivers reported significantly more met family needs, perceived fewer obstacles to receiving services, and rated the survivor as having reduced depression and somatic symptoms. No significant effects were observed for caregiver psychological distress or survivors' reports of their neurological functioning. Methodological limitations, implications for clinical intervention with families after TBI, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Ethnic Identity and Relationship Satisfaction among African American Heterosexual Couples
    (2008-08-11) Smith, Jocelyn Renee; La Taillade, Jaslean J; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    In an attempt to better understand factors contributing to relationship satisfaction among African American heterosexual couples, this study explored the impact of communication behavior and partner acceptance on relationship satisfaction among African American heterosexual couples. Additionally, the moderating role of ethnic identity on African American relationship processes and couple satisfaction was also explored. Results indicated that communication behaviors and partner acceptance were significantly related to relationship satisfaction among African American couples. Additionally, crossover effects were found such that the communication behaviors and partner acceptance of one partner significantly impacted the relationship satisfaction of their spouse. However, these results varied by gender. Finally, analyses exploring the moderation effect of ethnic identity found that female ethnic identity moderated the relationship between female acceptance of partner positive behavior and male relationship satisfaction. Research and clinical implications of these findings for African American heterosexual relationships are discussed.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Impact of Couple Therapy for Abusive Behavior on Partners' Negative Attributions about Each Other, Relationship Satisfaction, Communication Behavior, and Psychological Abuse
    (2008-05-05) Hrapczynski, Katie Marie; Epstein, Norman; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Treatments for abusive behavior commonly include cognitive restructuring to modify negative attributions. Little is known about the extent to which interventions modify attributions, and whether cognitive changes are associated with behavioral and relationship satisfaction change. This study investigated the degrees to which cognitive-behavioral couple therapy (CBCT) and a usual treatment (UT) result in therapeutic changes in couples experiencing psychological and/or mild to moderate levels of physical abuse. A sample of community couples seeking assistance for relationship problems at a university-based clinic were randomly assigned to CBCT or UT. Twenty-four couples in CBCT and 26 couples in UT completed 10 weekly 90-minute sessions. This study involved analyses of pre- and post-therapy measures of psychological abuse, relationship satisfaction, communication, and negative attributions. Findings indicated that both conditions decreased psychological abuse and negative attributions, and increased relationship satisfaction. CBCT decreased negative communication. Couples therapy is an effective treatment modality for this specialized population.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Gender Differences In Parenting, Adolescent Functioning, and The Relation Between Parenting and Adolescent Functioning In Urban Mainland Chinese Families
    (2008-04-28) Quach, Andrew; Epstein, Norman; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    ABSTRACT Adolescents living in Mainland China generally experience high levels of demands from their parents to perform well in school, and this may negatively impact Chinese adolescents' psychological functioning (Siu & Watkins, 1997). Secondary data from 997 urban Mainland Chinese high school students from four Beijing schools were used to examine relations of parental warmth and parental control with adolescent academic achievement, depression, and anxiety. The present study also examined whether adolescent functioning and associations between parental behaviors and adolescent functioning differed by gender of the parent and child. Independent t-tests, correlations, and multiple regression analyses found no significant gender differences in adolescent academic achievement, depression, and anxiety. Overall, father's and mother's warmth were positively associated with academic achievement and negatively associated with depression and anxiety, whereas parental control was negatively associated with academic achievement and positively associated with depression and anxiety. Paternal and maternal warmth moderated the association between paternal and maternal control and boys' and girls' depression and anxiety. There were minimal gender differences in the associations between parental behaviors and adolescent functioning. Only maternal and paternal pressure had a stronger association with boys' depression than with girls' depression. Results suggest the importance of using warmth in the parent-child dyad, especially regarding academic expectations for boys, and not basing behaviors on preconceived notions of gender roles.