Alliance and termination status in couple therapy: A comparison of methods for assessing discrepancies

Much of the empirical data available about therapeutic alliance and its relationship to termination status come from individual psychotherapies. We know less about therapeutic alliance in couple therapy. A unique characteristic of alliance in couple or family therapy is the possibility of discrepancies in alliance between system members. In this study we sought to demonstrate three statistical techniques: standard deviations, the intraclass correlation to assess discrepancies in alliance over time during the initial stage of couple therapy, and the use of these various measures to predict termination status using a sample of 72 couples from a university-based training clinic. Differences in partners’ alliances operationalized either as categorical or continuous variables but when analyzed separately at each time point were not predictive of termination status. When multilevel modeling was used, a difference in the way the discrepancies changed over a period of time was related to termination status. Rashmi Gangamma is currently at Syracuse University

Relational ethics, depressive symptoms, and relationship satisfaction in couples in therapy

The purpose of this study was to examine depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction as problems related to relational ethics in one\u27s family of origin and current partner relationships in a sample of 68 other-sex couples seeking therapy at a large university clinic. We used the Actor Partner Interdependence Model to analyze dyadic data collected prior to beginning therapy. Specifically, we found significant actor effects between relational ethics in one\u27s family of origin and depressive symptoms, as well as between depressive symptoms and low relationship satisfaction for both male and female partners. We also found significant partner effects for relational ethics in current partner relationship, depressive symptoms, and low relationship satisfaction. Clinical application of contextual therapy theory is discussed

Differentiation and Relationship Satisfaction: Mediating Effects of Emotional Intimacy and Alcohol/Substance Use

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between differentiation, emotional intimacy, and alcohol/substance use and how these factors interact to influence relationship satisfaction in couples

Family Distance Regulation and School Engagement in Middle-School-Aged Children

The purpose of this study was to explore how family distance regulation and other family demographic factors influence parenting behavior and family routines, which, in turn, influences the child\u27s school engagement. The data from the project came from a larger study conducted in a large Northwestern urban area and included both two-parent and single-parent families. These two family structures were compared in order to emphasize that it is the foundational family process of family distance regulation that supports other parenting practices as well as chronic stress that leads to school engagement regardless of the number of parents in the household. Implications for practice and the results of this study in relation to previous literature are discussed

Is There the “Sweet Spot” for Age at Marriage and Positive Marital Outcomes?

Using three nationally representative data sets, researchers analyzed the trends in age at marriage, marital stability, and marital satisfaction across the 20th century. Although there is a well-established link between age at marriage and marital stability, less is understood about the link between age at marriage and marital satisfaction. Previous work in this area suggested that it is the absolute age at first marriage that makes a difference. This study examined this hypothesis as well as a second hypothesis that cultural expectations about the “right” age to marry make a difference. Neither hypothesis was completely supported. Trends in normed marital satisfaction scores varied by birth cohort, years married, and age at marriage in nonlinear ways. Implications for relationship educators and practitioners are discussed

Examining the Mediating Influences of Sexual Satisfaction and Emotional Intimacy on the Association Between Relationship Processes and Relationship Satisfaction

Couples\u27 sexual satisfaction, emotional intimacy, and relationship processes have been identified by researchers as predictors of relationship satisfaction. However, little research exists that has addressed how relationship processes in romantic relationships predict their relationship satisfaction through their perceptions of both sexual satisfaction and emotional intimacy. In this proposed study, we plan to examine the mediating influences of couples\u27 sexual satisfaction and emotional intimacy on the association between their relationship processes and relationship satisfaction, with a sample of 336 married couples. Structural equation modeling will be employed for data analysis. Clinical implications for FT will also be discussed

Locus of Control, Differentiation and Therapeutic Alliance

In this study we investigated whether the relationship between differentiation levels and therapeutic alliance was mediated by an internal locus of control. Data from 107 couples from a University Couple and Family Therapy clinic were analyzed. An Actor-Partner mediational model using Structural Equation Modeling will be used to account for interdependence of the dyadic data