Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: The turn of the century saw a shift from input-based to outcome-based education in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) training. An attempt was also made to establish core competencies that practitioners of MFT should attain to provide effective client care. These developments had a significant impact on version 11.0 and 12.0 of the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE) Accreditation Standards. Since then, MFT educators have used these standards and guidelines to transition their programs from input-based to competency-based education. The MFT program at a West Coast University was the first COAMFTE accredited program to propose an alternative competency model requiring the completion of 300 direct client contact hours instead of 500 h for all students in the program, when it went through the process of reaccreditation in 2019. The program was granted renewal of accreditation in May 2020. Since then, version 12.5 of the COAMFTE Accreditation Standards have been released and this University’s competency model is aligned with these new standards. This article provides an overview of the competency model used by the MFT program at this University which can serve as an example for other MFT programs. Trends and future directions in competency-based MFT education are also discussed. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: The current study addressed the role that perfectionism plays among professionals in this field of marriage and family therapy (MFT). Specifically, this study provides information about PS (personal standards) perfectionism and EC (evaluative concerns) and their relationship with both compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. The sample included 247 marriage and family therapists who answered demographic questions along with completing the professional quality of life scale (ProQOL; as reported by Stamm, B. H. (2009). Professional Quality of Life: Compassion Satisfaction and Fatigue Version 5 (ProQOL). Retrieved from http://www.proqol.org/ProQol_Test.html; Stamm in The concise ProQOL manual, ProQOL.org, 2010;) and the multidimensional perfectionism scale (MPS; Hewitt and Flett, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 60:456–470, 1991). Results indicated three significant findings: (1) higher levels of both self-oriented and socially oriented perfectionism are correlated with higher levels of both burnout and secondary traumatic stress; (2) as years of work as an MFT increase, level of burnout decreases; and (3) women demonstrated statistically significantly higher scores in PS perfectionism than men. Limitations, implications, and future directions are discussed. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: No known studies have examined the relationship between health-promoting behaviors, relationship satisfaction, and resilience among a community sample. Participants included 237 individuals in a romantic relationship. Health-promoting behaviors were measured using the health-promoting lifestyle profile II (HPLP-II; Walker et al., 1987); resilience was measured using the brief resilience scale (Smith et al., 2008); and relationship satisfaction with the Kansas marital satisfaction scale (Schumm et al., 1986). Results indicated that relationship satisfaction is significantly, positively related to all six domains of the HPLP-II, with strongest correlations found between relationship satisfaction and stress management (r = 0.508), interpersonal relations (r = 0.415), and spiritual growth (r = 0.296). Resilience is significantly, positively related to all HPLP-II domains except for health responsibility, again with strongest correlations found between spiritual growth (r = 0.450), stress management (r = 0.359), and interpersonal relations (r = 0.333). Implications for marriage and family therapists and healthcare providers are discussed. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Whilst conducting couples therapy is a professional practice, couples’ therapists (CTs) play an active role in the therapeutic process not only professionally but also personally. Despite the increase in research into the person of the therapist, few studies have examined the person of the therapist issues specific to CTs. In this study, we aimed to explore the experiences of CTs regarding the interaction of their personal and professional beliefs and experiences when working with couples. A qualitative design was used, based on constructivist grounded theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 CTs in romantic relationships and working with couples. Three main categories were co-constructed through qualitative analysis: accessing what was brought in through the self, engaging with what the couples bring, and embracing the personal and professional selves. Awareness of the person of the therapist and learning how to use themselves to relate, assess, and intervene with clients enable CTs to create a secure therapeutic presence. The findings have useful implications for clinicians, couples therapy training program frameworks, and couples therapy supervision. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: This study examines the mediating roles of relationship satisfaction, relationship adjustment, and emotional dependency among differentiation of self, forgiveness, jealousy, and conflict resolution responses (exit, voice, neglect, and loyalty) among married individuals. The study sample was non-dyadic and consisted of 240 married individuals (120 men, 120 women) from the general population. The study was conducted with a Turkish sample. The data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Differentiation of Self Inventory, the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale, the Emotional Dependency Scale, the Marital Adjustment Test, the Marital Offence-Specific Forgiveness Scale, The Responses to Dissatisfaction in Close Relationships-Accommodation Instrument, and the Relationship Assessment Scale. Differentiation of self was significantly positively correlated with satisfaction, relationship adjustment, forgiveness, and voice response and significantly negatively correlated with jealousy and exit and neglect responses. In addition, only relationship satisfaction had a significant partial mediating role among differentiation of self, forgiveness, and exit and neglect responses. However, relationship satisfaction, relationship adjustment, and emotional dependency had no mediating role among differentiation of self, jealousy, and voice and loyalty responses. Differentiation of self is a powerful variable that directly affects romantic relationship dynamics. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Couple and family therapists (CFTs) routinely encounter couples with differing levels of commitment, otherwise known as mixed agenda couples, in their practice. CFTs using a traditional model of couple therapy may miss opportunities to help these types of couples make a coherent and deliberate decision for the future of their relationship. In response to the large number of mixed agenda couples coming to therapy, this article outlines a way to integrate Discernment Counseling (Doherty & Harris in Helping couples on the brink of divorce: Discernment counseling for troubled relationships. American Psychological Association, 2017) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) (Greenberg & Johnson in Emotionally focused therapy for couples. Guilford Press, 1988). EFT and Discernment Counseling view couple relationships as attachment relationships, thus providing common ground for integration. However, the primary goal of EFT of creating a securely attached couple relationship does not account for mixed agenda couples, thus necessitating this integration to provide a method for EFT practitioners to address this common dilemma. In this manuscript, the author creates a roadmap for EFT therapists to use Discernment Counseling to enhance assessment, treatment planning, and initial sessions. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Moving in together is an important transition in a relationship. For many, it is often a shift to the next phase of the relationship indicating higher levels of commitment. Whether the partners are married, plans to get married, or marriage is not part of their future, there are important conversations to be had prior to this transition. As such, this article presents recommended pre-cohabitation conversations with question prompts for partners to explore prior to moving in together. To best understand the dynamics of cohabiting that informed the questions, a review of the literature on cohabitation is presented. Additionally, race and culture, religion, and sexual and gender identity will be highlighted as essential conversation considerations especially as the majority of the literature is centered around white, hetero, and monogamous relationships. Created by a group of couple and family therapy graduate trainees based on the literature and their own personal and professional experiences, the pre-cohabitation conversations are organized into three categories– relationship negotiations, household rules, and communication. These conversations are recommended to be used both by therapists with their clients as well as for direct use by partners following the questions presented within. The topics represent a comprehensive range of relationship issues including consideration of unique issues as presented in the literature with the goal of aiding partners in successful management of their transition to a shared living space. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Religion and spirituality are an important part of the human experience for many of our clients. Clients often turn to their religion or spirituality as one of their first resources when faced with significant stressors; however, therapists often feel ill-equipped when spiritual or religious content is discussed in therapy. The efforts of clinicians to ethically and competently address spirituality and religion with clients hinges on the work of supervisors and faculty members of Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy programs. This paper seeks to explain how the supervision process can help therapists overcome the barriers they face when attempting to integrate spirituality and religion into session. A case vignette is presented where a supervisor and supervisee use an Internal Family Systems lens to consult about a case where religious concerns are present. Utilizing IFS, we believe that therapists can better acknowledge their spiritual or religious biases and begin to consider how religion and spirituality can be respected as a diverse part of clients. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Despite previous literature illustrating strong links between social relations, mental health, and physical health, much remains unknown regarding the associations among adult romantic attachment, depressive symptoms, and reports of physical health within adults diagnosed with a chronic disease. The present study used a mediated latent growth curve analysis to examine to what extent trajectories of reported physical health across two years were a function of attachment and depressive symptoms among a sample of 197 individuals who were mostly White, middle class, college educated, in a committed heterosexual relationship, and reported a diagnosed chronic disease. Results indicated that as depressive symptoms increased, initial levels of physical health were worse. Higher attachment anxiety was linked with better initial rates of physical health. Further, higher depressive symptoms and attachment anxiety predicted a significant upward shift in the trajectory of improved physical health. Results offer merit to social and mental health professionals as well as researchers to understand and incorporate a biopsychosocial approach. Further clinical and research implications are considered. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: In the early 1980s, three studies had found that vocational similarity between romantic partners was significantly associated with couple adjustment. However, given that these studies had important methodological and statistical limitations that compromised their validity, the contribution of vocational similarity to couple functioning needs to be further explored. This study aimed to examine the potential mechanisms explaining vocational similarity within couples and the extent to which vocational similarity contributes to couple functioning, using two similarity indices: The C index and the profile similarity correlation (PSC). A sample of 104 cohabiting couples was recruited and completed online questionnaires. Results showed that vocational similarity between partners was low to moderate and was mainly explained by mating preferences. Moreover, higher vocational similarity was significantly associated with greater couple adjustment and relational stability, especially when partners were similar on the Artistic or Enterprising type. The PSC was a stronger predictor of couple adjustment and relational stability than the C index. Sharing similar vocational interests and competencies seems to help in creating and maintaining well-adjusted romantic relationships. PubDate: 2023-06-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: The primary aims of the current study were to explore differences among adolescent parentification profiles and to determine the extent to which those profiles are linked to physical health and life satisfaction among adolescents. While parentification roles in adolescents have been found to be detrimental to mental health outcomes, minimal research has focused on its relation to other outcomes (e.g., physical health outcomes). Also, there is a dearth of empirically-supported knowledge on how family culture might shape those outcomes. A large sample of Polish-speaking adolescents (N = 41,162 adolescents aged 12–21 years old) participated in a survey research study focused on family structure and adolescent functioning. We used cluster analysis to identify patterns of parent caregiving and to explore associations between those patterns and health and life satisfaction. Cluster analysis techniques identified five parent caregiving profiles: (a) satisfied emotional parent caregiving, (b) dissatisfied youth with moderate levels of parent caregiving, (c) satisfied youth with low levels of parent caregiving, (d) dissatisfied youth with low levels of parent caregiving, and (e) conflicted parent caregiving. Mean levels of physical health and life satisfaction were found to be highest for adolescents in the following cluster profiles: “satisfied emotional parent caregiving” and “conflicted parent caregiving.” The lowest means were found in the following cluster profiles: “dissatisfied youth with moderate levels of parent caregiving” and “satisfied youth with low levels of parent caregiving.” The results of all analyses are discussed as well as implications for future research and family therapy. PubDate: 2023-05-27
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: There is an increasing amount of content in popular media attempting to connect narcissistic personality disorder with domestic violence and intimate partner violence, sometimes referred to as narcissistic abuse. Counselors may engage with both survivors and those who perpetrate domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV), as well as clients with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) or narcissistic traits. There is, however, a lack of literature investigating counselor perceptions of NPD, narcissistic traits, DV, and IPV. Seven licensed professional counselors were interviewed who had worked with clients who had experienced DV or IPV as perpetrators or survivors of abuse. The researchers investigated licensed counselors’ perceptions of NPD, narcissistic traits, DV, and IPV using hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative inquiry. Five themes emerged from this study: narcissistic characteristics, differentiating NPD versus narcissistic traits, mental health and IPV/DV, experience (or lack of) with NPD clients, and education. Although counselors reported working with a high number of IPV/DV cases, counselors demonstrated a nuanced understanding of narcissism and DV. Participants agreed narcissistic traits themselves were seen more often than NPD diagnoses, but it is likely loved ones who have experienced IPV/DV are looking to attribute the perpetrator’s abuse to mental health. The limited amount of treatment provided to clients diagnosed with NPD paired with lack of diagnostic criteria regarding “narcissistic abuse” to describe perpetrators of IPV/DV indicates the need for increased education and further research of IPV/DV as it coincides with the term “narcissistic abuse” or NPD. PubDate: 2023-05-17
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: As the bilingual Spanish-speaking population in the United States (U.S.) steadily rises (U.S. Census Bureau in Language spoken at home, https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile'q=United%20States&g=0100000US, 2020), the need for systemic therapists who are competent in working with Spanish-speaking clients also increases. While it is unrealistic to require all mental health practitioners to be bilingual English and Spanish speakers, systemic therapists can improve their understanding of the impact that clients’ native language can have on the therapeutic process. In this paper, we synthesize concepts from narrative therapy and linguistic relativity to provide non-Spanish-speaking clinicians with a unique perspective of case conceptualizations and therapeutic interventions for clients who natively speak Spanish. A clinical vignette is presented to illustrate the practical application of linguistic relativity informed systemic therapy. Potential theoretical and clinical implications of this treatment suggestion are explored. PubDate: 2023-05-09
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Racial trauma has long been an issue in American society. Recent incidents of racial violence, including the attack and murder of George Floyd and the rise of anti-Asian hate have garnered significant media attention. People often use social media to express their emotions and perspectives on national events, and it has become a popular forum for posting and commenting on content related to timely social issues. In effort to understand individual perspectives, and experiences of racial trauma discussed on social media, we analyzed content labeled with the hashtag “racial trauma” on TikTok during significant racial incidents from March 2020 to May 2022. Results of content analysis showed six themes, (1) encountering racism, (2) traumatic experiences, (3) consequences of experiencing racial trauma, (4) expressing difficult feelings, (5) questioning and challenging oppression, denial, and privilege, and (6) a call to action: raising awareness. Findings inform clinicians’ understanding of how their clients experience racial trauma. Clinical implications for incorporating a nuanced understanding of racial trauma in mental health treatment are discussed. PubDate: 2023-05-09
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Non-expert stance or “not-knowing” position plays important role in postmodern/ poststructuralist therapies (Tarragona, 2008) and at the same time many misunderstandings and potential pitfalls for therapeutic practice arose with this concept. This paper examines “knowledge” in therapeutic conversations from the perspective of one of the postmodern therapies – Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. After an introduction to the Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and its principles, attention is given to process and content related expertise and the solution-focused therapist’s positioning in conversations. The next section describes a model, called the Pie of Inspiration, which allows for reflecting on different sources of knowledge and inviting them into the solution-focused therapeutic conversation. The application of the model is illustrated through some case examples and an activity for working with children which is called Klondike. PubDate: 2023-04-08
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to document factors associated with a couple’s decision to manage finances entirely jointly (i.e., pooled), somewhat jointly, or separately. Based on survey data from 636 married or cohabitating respondents, test results showed that married and less well-educated individuals are more likely to pool finances with their partners. Additionally, it was determined that the odds of partners pooling finances increase as the size of a household increases and when the household exhibits a positive net worth. In this study, households with two income earners were approximately 50% less likely to pool their finances compared to households with one income earner. It was further determined that those who reported agreeing on issues related to spending were more than twice as likely to pool their finances as compared to those who did not agree with their partner on issues related to spending. The findings from this study advance the marriage and family therapy literature by showing that financial integration style and financial decision-making responsibilities are separate constructs and should not be used as proxies for one another. PubDate: 2023-04-01
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Providing therapy services via Telemental Health (TMH), or teletherapy, has exponentially increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Although previous research demonstrates that TMH is as effective as in-person therapy, there is a dearth of research on how therapists should address technology-perpetrated abuse and intimate partner violence (IPV) over TMH. This is extremely problematic given the frequency in which violence occurs in romantic relationships. This manuscript aims to address this gap by providing concrete clinical guidelines based on existing literature and professional experience with engaging in TMH services. The authors review literature on technology-perpetrated abuse and discuss innovative ways to assess and treat IPV over TMH by adapting protocols from Domestic Violence-Focused Couple’s Therapy. Within this, the authors integrate research on high-conflict couples to provide new suggestions on how to manage couples who escalate quickly and who are prone to violence. The manuscript will conclude with future directions for research. PubDate: 2023-03-29
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Although mental health is a major factor in couple relations, little is known on how depression might be transmitted within couples over long periods of time. This study sought to examine mutual influences of depressive symptoms across 23 years between women with clinical depression and their partners. A longitudinal, observational design employed a sample of 69 mixed-gender couples consisting of women with depression and their partners. Each partner’s depressive symptoms were estimated using cross-lagged path models across 10- and 23-year follow-ups, adjusting for income, education, and changes in couple status. Among women with depression at baseline, more depressive symptoms at 10-year follow-up predicted more depressive symptoms in their partners 13 years later, and those partners’ depressive symptoms at baseline predicted more depressive symptoms 23 years later among women with baseline depression. These findings demonstrate long-term associations between women with depression and their partners over time, highlighting the importance of accounting for couple context in depression assessment and treatment. PubDate: 2023-03-29
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Working with intimate partner violence (IPV) can be a daunting task for systemic therapists. Nevertheless, research establishing a connection between attachment and IPV suggests that systemic therapists may be particularly well-suited to the task. Due to the high clinical prevalence of IPV, therapists should understand how it presents in session and how it can be addressed, and attachment theory can be helpful in such conceptualization and treatment pursuits. Although some therapy models draw upon attachment theory when working with couples, concerns about safety have been raised when using attachment-based models with IPV. In this article, a review of the research linking attachment and IPV is presented, along with limitations of attachment conceptualizations of IPV. The case is made for safe use of attachment-based treatments of IPV through previously developed best safety practices as well as the integration of contextual factors, such as gender and power, that help create a more comprehensive, ecological view of violence. Specific ideas are presented to help therapists conceptualize and intervene with IPV using an attachment-based lens. PubDate: 2023-03-01 DOI: 10.1007/s10591-021-09623-4
Please help us test our new pre-print finding feature by giving the pre-print link a rating. A 5 star rating indicates the linked pre-print has the exact same content as the published article.
Abstract: Marital satisfaction, which is typically assessed with multi-item measures, has been linked to health benefits among both civilian and military samples. Despite some advantages over multiple-item measures, researchers are less likely to use single-item marital satisfaction measures perhaps because there are few studies that demonstrate their reliability and validity. This study provided validation evidence, reliability estimates and replicated the cut-off of the Brief Marital Screening Tool (SI measure) in three military-affiliated samples (two of service members [N = 850 and N = 936] and one military spouse sample [N = 333]). Analyses showed that the SI measure had acceptable reliability using two estimation techniques. Further, in comparison with the multi-item measures, the SI measure showed similar associations with mental health, physical health, and relationship functioning outcomes establishing the SI measure’s criterion validity. Lastly, findings also confirmed the cut-off established in the original validation paper using two different multiple-item marital satisfaction measures. The implications of the findings for research, interventions, and clinical practice are discussed. PubDate: 2023-03-01 DOI: 10.1007/s10591-022-09638-5
Hybrid journal (It can contain Open Access articles)
