School of Public Health

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The collections in this community comprise faculty research works, as well as graduate theses and dissertations.

Note: Prior to July 1, 2007, the School of Public Health was named the College of Health & Human Performance.

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Conflict

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Comparing Members of Interracial and Same-Race Clinical Couples: Conflict and Steps Toward Leaving the Relationship
    (2014) Young, Jennnifer Louise; Epstein, Norman B; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Past research on marital divorce rates indicates that interracial couples are more likely to divorce than same-race couples. There has been speculation that this higher rate of relationship dissolution stems from larger differences in partners' backgrounds, values, and culture. These differences may contribute to higher levels of conflict in interracial relationships. The present study compared conflict levels reported by members of interracial and same-race couples in a clinical sample, using secondary data from couples receiving treatment at the Center for Healthy Families, a clinic at the University of Maryland, College Park. Members of interracial couples reported higher overall conflict, and higher conflict in specific areas, as well as more steps taken toward leaving their relationships than those in same-race couples. Higher conflict mediated group differences in steps taken to leave the relationship. Constructive couple communication did not moderate the association between couple type and level of conflict.
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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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    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.
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    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.