Boomerang coupling: the role of differentiation, violence, commitment, and deciding in on-off relationship instability

On-again/off-again relationships are associated with a number of poor relationship outcomes, including increased conflict, uncertainty about the future of the relationship, and diminished relationship satisfaction (e.g., Dailey, Pfiester, Jin, Beck, & Clark, 2009; Halpern-Meekin, Manning, Giordano, & Longmore, 2013a). Little insight exists, however, into the intrapersonal characteristics that may predispose individuals to cycle through relationship statuses with the same partner (i.e., on-off cycling; Dailey, 2016). According to Bowen family systems theory (Kerr & Bowen, 1988), differentiation, or the ability to disentangle emotions and thoughts and balance intimacy with autonomy, is considered one of the most important characteristics possessed in interpersonal interaction (Skowron & Friedlander, 1998). Therefore, differentiation may play an important role in relationship instability in the form of on-off cycling. Moreover, known correlates of cycling that are also theoretically linked to differentiation (i.e., relationship violence, dedication, felt constraint, and relationship deciding) are likely important mechanisms in this process. To explore the role of these relational processes in cyclical and non-cyclical relationships, two studies were conducted. Study 1 consisted of 298 individuals in same (n = 148) and different-sex relationships (n = 150) over an 8-month period. Nearly one-third of the sample (32%) reported breaking-up and renewing with their current partner, and those who cycled reported less differentiation, less dedication, less deciding, more felt constraint, and more violence than those who did not break-up and renew their relationships. In the full structural model, differentiation was associated with a decreased likelihood of cycling; however, relationship violence fully mediated this association. In addition to the negative link with relationship violence, differentiation was also negatively associated with felt constraint and positively associated with dedication. To account for the interconnection between partners that is a vital assumption to systems theory (Cox & Paley, 2003) and differentiation in relationships (Kerr & Bowen, 1988), 119 different-sex couples (N = 238 individuals) were recruited through an online panel for Study 2. Over one-third of couples (35%) reported cycling at least once in their relationships. Differentiation was positively associated with dedication for men and negatively associated with felt constraint for men and women. In Actor Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs), men’s differentiation was positively associated with their own dedication, as well as their partners’ dedication. Similarly, men’s differentiation was not only negatively associated with their own felt constraint, but also their partners’ felt constraint. Post-hoc analyses revealed that emotional cut-off (i.e., an indicator of poor differentiation) may play a particularly prominent role in this process. Due to limited variability in violence, negative interaction (i.e., communication danger signs) was also analyzed. Men’s differentiation was not only associated with their own reports of negative interaction, but also their partners’ reports. Similarly, women’s differentiation was associated with their own reports of negative interaction, but the partner effect predicting men’s reports of poor communication was not significant. Cycling moderated several of these associations. Taken together, these studies provide further insight into the role differentiation plays in several relationship processes including on-off cycling. Past research supports that differentiation of self might be a valuable entry point for intervening in relationships (see Miller, Anderson, & Keala, 2004) to promote commitment and positive interaction

Advancing family science through public scholarship: fostering community relationships and engaging in broader impacts

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Monk, J.K., Bordere, T.C. and Benson, J.J. (2021), Emerging Ideas. Advancing Family Science Through Public Scholarship: Fostering Community Relationships and Engaging in Broader Impacts. Fam Relat, 70: 1612-1625. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12545, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12545. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley's version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.Objective: To increase the awareness and support for family scientists' engagement in public scholarship. Background: Without appropriate dissemination efforts, important research findings may remain solely in academic journals and never reach the public. Grounded in a social justice perspective, we argue that family scientists are and should be on the frontlines of direct social change and activities related to broader impacts. Method: In this call-to-action, we articulate the utility and praxis of public scholarship, or the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge for and with communities to create social change for the public good. Results: When engaging in public scholarship, we can build community trust, increase our impact and demonstrate the relevance of family science. Therefore, we offer practical suggestions like collaborating with individuals who serve in complementary roles, hosting a research press conference to disseminate key findings, and writing for local outlets like community newspapers. We also provide insights to help implement (e.g., resources for developing press releases, infographics or visual abstracts) and document (e.g., in promotion and tenure materials) these activities. Conclusion: We encourage scholars to keep these suggestions in mind when trying to think of creative broader impacts activities that illustrate the relevance of research in people's lives. Implications: By shifting academic cultures and engaging in public scholarship, family scholars can increase their reach and contribute to the enfranchisement of marginalized populations, while also enhancing the visibility of findings, building their scholarly networks, and growing public support for family science

Public Scholarship: A Tool for Strengthening Relationships Across Extension, Campus, and Community

Higher education resources are increasingly limited due to declining budget revenue and other challenges. Thus, it is vital for Cooperative Extension to synergize efforts of disseminating education to the public. Promoting public scholarship in and beyond Extension is a promising initiative that can foster collaborations by leveraging existing resources in advancing the Extension mission. We highlight a new program aimed at encouraging a culture of public scholarship across academia. The program is intended to increase knowledge about public scholarship and awareness of its benefits to stakeholders, identify barriers to public scholarship, and provide concrete examples of ways Extension and non-Extension faculty can collaborate on research and programming efforts

How to Use Crowdfunding in Extension: A Relationship Education Example

Crowdfunding is a resource that allows individuals or groups to raise funds while simultaneously engaging relevant communities and, thus, is an important tool for Extension specialists. We provide recommended steps for successful crowdfunding, including tips for identifying a website, developing or refining a proposal, and crafting a marketing and campaign strategy. We use the successful crowdfunding of a relationship education program as an example

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

“It’s complicated:” the continuity and correlates of cycling in cohabiting and marital relationships

Given previous research on the risks associated with cycling in young adult dating relationships, the present study examines the frequency with which cyclical dating relationships (relationships that end and renew) persist into cohabitation and marriage, the characteristics of these relationships, and the constraints associated with cycling during these stages using a nationally representative sample of cohabiting (n = 323) and married (n = 752) couples. Using retrospective accounts, results suggest that over one-third of cohabiters and one-fifth of spouses have experienced a breakup and renewal in their current relationship. Additionally, partners who have experienced cycling are at greater risk for further cycling and experiencing greater constraints to permanently ending the relationship, greater uncertainty in their relationship’s future, and lower satisfaction

Talk to Me: Disclosure of Past Trauma Experiences to Spouses in Military Couples

Trauma disclosure in interpersonal relationships has received limited attention in both clinical and empirical literature. In the current study, using a mixed method research design, participants’ disclosure levels were coded based on their interview descriptions of their disclosure of trauma experiences to their spouse. Participants were classified into one of two groups: low trauma disclosure (n=16) or high trauma disclosure (n=55). The low disclosure group reported significantly lower relationship adjustment than the high disclosure group. In addition, using qualitative methods, the high disclosure group participants reported primarily positive functioning themes, while the low disclosure group participants reported more negative effects. </p

Trajectories of Relational Turbulence and Affectionate Communication Across the Post-Deployment Transition

Affectionate communication may play a key role in how military couples navigate the transition from deployment to reintegration. Informed by relational turbulence theory, this study considered how the trajectory of relational turbulence experienced by military couples over time predicted their verbal and nonverbal expressions of affection. Online self-report data were gathered from 268 U.S. military couples across eight months beginning at homecoming. Relational turbulence increased over time and affectionate communication decreased over time. Also as predicted, the trajectory of increasing relational turbulence corresponded with greater declines in verbal and nonverbal expressions of affection. These results advance relational turbulence theory, illuminate the trajectory of affectionate communication over time, and inform ways to assist military couples upon reunion after deployment