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

Refugee Gardening: An Opportunity to Improve Economic Conditions, Food Security, and Mental Health

Every year, thousands of refugees enter the United States. Conditions prior to resettlement, such as exposure to conflict, persecution, and loss, as well as conditions after resettlement, such as isolation and adjustment to a new culture, impact refugee mental health, economic security, and food security. Refugee access to land and resources for gardening has been shown to have quality of life benefits, including enhanced food security and mental health outcomes. This research brief summarizes the results of a recent study that examined how community gardening may reduce food insecurity and adverse mental health among refugees living in Central New York. Findings demonstrate that refugee gardening positively impacts mental health, food security, and feelings of connection with refugee communities

Continuation of Teletherapy After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study of Licensed Mental Health Professionals

BackgroundThe use of teletherapy has exponentially increased in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Studies on teletherapy documented substantial benefits of accessibility and convenience even before the start of the pandemic. Although recent studies show that this modality of therapy delivery is here to stay, few have studied who will most benefit from this trend. ObjectiveIn this paper, we report predictors of continued teletherapy usage in a sample of licensed mental health professionals in the United States during a time period when pandemic-related restrictions began diminishing. As such, it is one of the first studies to examine factors related to continued benefits of teletherapy postpandemic. MethodsParticipation from licensed mental health professionals was sought on listservs of national organizations of multiple mental health organizations. Data were collected via an anonymous link to a survey on Qualtrics between January 2021 and April 2021. Participants responded to questions on therapist demographics, practice setting, experiences of shifting to teletherapy, perspectives on continued use of teletherapy, and their client characteristics. Findings related to client characteristics that predicted continued teletherapy usage are presented here. ResultsA total of 186 individuals consented to participate in the survey, with a final sample of 114 with complete data. A majority of participants identified as female (92/114, 80.7%), White (94/114, 82.5%), and having a master's degree (75/114, 65.5%) from a nationally accredited program (106/114, 93%). Data were analyzed using heteroskedastic regression modeling with client-related factors as predictors. Two models were run with and without distance travelled by clients as a control variable. Model estimates from both models showed that continued use of teletherapy postpandemic was predicted by the following factors: higher percentage of clients from rural areas, younger and older adult clients, clients with Medicare, and clients with marginalized gender and religious/spiritual identities. Significantly, having a higher percentage of clients from lower socioeconomic status, a higher percentage of those with Medicaid coverage, and a higher percentage of couples and families as clients predicted decreased use of teletherapy postpandemic. ConclusionsFindings from the study suggest that while some groups of clients are more likely to continue to receive benefits of teletherapy, vulnerable groups such as those in lower socioeconomic conditions, Medicaid beneficiaries, and those who seek couple and family therapy may be less likely to be served by it. These differences point to a need to address factors driving telehealth care disparities such as access to technology, housing, and childcare issues, as well as the need for continued training for licensed professionals

Comparison of HIV risks among gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual homeless youth

Youth who are homeless and gay, lesbian or bisexual (GLB) are one of the most disenfranchised and marginalized groups in our society. The purpose of this study is to examine and compare HIV in GLB homeless youth with their heterosexual counterparts. Participants for this study included 268 youth involved in treatment outcome studies with substance abusing homeless youth. Results suggest that GLB youth have greater HIV risks and that these risks are greater among bisexual females. In examining the predictors of sexual health risks, survival sex emerged as the most significant. Survival sex was high among females regardless of their sexual orientation and also among gay males. Implications of these findings suggest that a greater emphasis needs to be paid to preventive interventions among this population

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

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

A systematic review of the research base on sexual reorientation therapies

In the past few years, members of the AAMFT, like members of other professional groups, have engaged in a discourse as to the necessity and effectiveness of sexual reorientation therapies. The purpose of this article is to review, critique, and synthesize the scientific rigor of the literature base underpinning sexual reorientation therapy research. Using a systematic narrative analysis approach, 28 empirically based, peer-reviewed articles meeting eligibility criteria were coded for sample characteristics and demographics as well as numerous methodology descriptors. Results indicate the literature base is full of omissions which threaten the validity of interpreting available data

High School Sweethearts Beware: Does Early Marriage Predict Marital Instability?

Early marriage research suggests an association between age at first marriage and individual characteristics. Yet, few reports describe how age at first marriage impacts relational factors, such as marital satisfaction and interaction. Determining patterns among couples who decide to marry early will provide clinicians with informative tools to streamline intervention procedures with couples. To address this research gap, we will conduct a latent profile analysis to develop profiles based on several marital scales. Logistic regression will then be conducted to determine if early marriage predicts a particular type of profile. We hypothesize that early marriage will predict instable marital profiles