Exploring attribution patterns between spouses: A comparison of United States and mainland Chinese couples

This dissertation explores the relationship between marital attributions and problem-solving communication. Past research has shown that spouses in distressed relationships attribute the causes of their partners\u27 behavior in ways that lead them to perceive those causes as internal character flaws of their partners. Those in stable relationships, on the other hand, explain the causes of their difficulties in more benign ways, such as attributing them to outside circumstances (Bradbury & Fincham, 1992; Bradbury & Fincham, 1990; Fincham & Bradbury, 1992; Fincham & Bradbury, 1991). Another important line of research has explored spouses\u27 internal thoughts about their partners\u27 statements during on-going problem solving discussions. This research has also found that couples\u27 internal cognitive/emotional processes are related to their marital satisfaction (Markman, 1984; Markman, 1981; Markman, 1979; Markman & Poltrock 1982). In this dissertation I combine these two bodies of literature by having couples specify their attributions about the causes for each others\u27 statements during ongoing problem-solving conversations. I compare U.S. and Mainland Chinese couples\u27 responses. Thirty-three Chinese couples from The People\u27s Republic of China and 39 U.S. couples participated. The results, first, successfully replicate past research findings. Marital distress was related to spouses\u27 paper and pencil attributions and to their attributions during problem-solving discussions. Second, Chinese spouses rated the causes of problems less internally, globally and stably than U.S. spouses. Third, women tended to ascribe the causes of problems to their spouses more often and to blame them for problems more generally. However, wives\u27 attribution scores did not predict marital distress more significantly than husbands\u27 attributions did. Fourth, U.S. husbands\u27 marital attributions were related to their wives\u27 level of marital distress and current symptoms of depression. U.S. wives\u27 attributions were not related to husbands\u27 distress. These findings are discussed, and future directions for research theory and practice are suggested

The Relationship of Attributions to Marital Distress: A Comparison of Mainland Chinese and U.S. Couples

Research on attribution theory has focused on a number of different social contexts. Close personal relationships and marriage in particular have been investigated widely. Cross- cultural differences in attribution patterns have also been explored, although mostly in relation to academic achievement or employment. This article focused on cross- cultural variations in marital attributions. Thirty-six couples from the People's Republic of China(P.R.C.) and 32 couples from the United States(U.S.) were included. Mariual attributions were correlated with marital distress for both groups. However, the P.R.C. spouses. There were also some differences in attributions of responsibility and blame across cultures. These findings are discussed in relationship to current marital attribution theory

Effects of combat deployment on risky and self-destructive behavior among active duty military personnel

Although research has documented negative effects of combat deployment on mental health, few studies have examined whether deployment increases risky or self-destructive behavior. The present study addressed this issue. In addition, we examined whether deployment effects on risky behavior varied depending on history of pre-deployment risky behavior, and assessed whether psychiatric conditions mediated effects of deployment on risky behavior. In an anonymous survey, active duty members of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy (N = 2116) described their deployment experiences and their participation in risky recreational activities, unprotected sex, illegal drug use, self-injurious behavior, and suicide attempts during three time frames (civilian, military pre-deployment, and military postdeployment). Respondents also reported whether they had problems with depression, anxiety, or PTSD during the same three time frames. Results revealed that risky behavior was much more common in civilian than in military life, with personnel who had not deployed, compared to those who had deployed, reporting more risky behavior and more psychiatric problems as civilians. For the current time period, in contrast, personnel who had deployed (versus never deployed) were significantly more likely to report both risky behavior and psychiatric problems. Importantly, deployment was associated with increases in risky behavior only for personnel with a pre-deployment history of engaging in risky behavior. Although psychiatric conditions were associated with higher levels of risky behavior, psychiatric problems did not mediate associations between deployment and risky behavior. Implications for understanding effects of combat deployment on active duty personnel and directions for future research are discussed

Assessing and adjusting for non-response in the Millennium Cohort Family Study

Abstract Background In conducting population-based surveys, it is important to thoroughly examine and adjust for potential non-response bias to improve the representativeness of the sample prior to conducting analyses of the data and reporting findings. This paper examines factors contributing to second stage survey non-response during the baseline data collection for the Millennium Cohort Family Study, a large longitudinal study of US service members and their spouses from all branches of the military. Methods Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop a comprehensive response propensity model. Results Results showed the majority of service member sociodemographic, military, and administrative variables were significantly associated with non-response, along with various health behaviours, mental health indices, and financial and social issues. However, effects were quite small for many factors, with a few demographic and survey administrative variables accounting for the most substantial variance. Conclusions The Millennium Cohort Family Study was impacted by a number of non-response factors that commonly affect survey research. In particular, recruitment of young, male, and minority populations, as well as junior ranking personnel, was challenging. Despite this, our results suggest the success of representative population sampling can be effectively augmented through targeted oversampling and recruitment, as well as a comprehensive survey weighting strategy

Long-term consequences of mothers and fathers wartime deployments: Protocol for a two-wave panel study.

Multiple adjustment difficulties have been associated with childrens exposure to recent parental wartime military deployments, but long-term consequences have not yet been systematically studied. This investigation will assess direct and indirect relationships between exposures to parental deployments early in life and later youth adjustment. Parents psychological health and family processes will be examined as mediators, and parents and childrens vulnerability and support will be examined as moderators. Archival data will be combined with new data gathered from two children and up to two parents in families where children will be aged 11 to 16 at the first data collection and will have experienced at least one parental deployment, for at least one child prior to age 6. Data are being gathered via telephone interviews and web-based surveys conducted twice one year apart. Outcomes are indicators of childrens social-emotional development, behavior, and academic performance. Notable features of this study include oversampling of female service members, inclusion of siblings, and inclusion of families of both veterans and currently serving members. This study has potentially important implications for schools, community organizations and health care providers serving current and future cohorts of military and veteran families

Pre-service factors associated with sexual misconduct among male U.S. Marines

Purpose Sexual assault is a prevalent and persistent problem in the military, yet few studies have examined predictors of sexual offenses. The study aim was to determine pre-service factors associated with sexual offense conviction among U.S. Marines. Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from male active duty U.S. Marines (2003–2018). Pre-service factors were assessed using survey data from the Recruit Assessment Program, obtained prior to recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. These survey data were linked with sexual offense conviction data obtained from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Consolidated Law Enforcement Operations Center. Results Of the 146,307 participants, the majority were 18–19 years old (66.7%) and non-Hispanic, White (62.1%) with a high school education or less (76.8%); 107 received convictions for a sexual offense. In unadjusted analyses, race and ethnicity, parental education, type of primary caregiver, parental death, family economic status, childhood emotional trauma, childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and unprotected sex were associated with a sexual offense conviction. In the final multivariable model, race and ethnicity (American Indian/Alaskan Native, odds ratio [OR]: 5.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86–14.98; Hispanic, OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.06–3.18; multiracial/other, OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 1.56–6.89), education (≤ high school, OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.21–5.80), parental death (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.16–4.45), unprotected sex (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.03–3.05), and school suspension/expulsion (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.02–2.65) were significant predictors of a subsequent sexual offense conviction. Conclusions Results underscore the importance of understanding factors associated with sexual offense and highlight the large discrepancy between self-reported estimates of sexual assault and sexual offense convictions. Findings may inform the development of effective strategies to reduce sexual misconduct, such as technology-facilitated programs that provide private, targeted education; supportive assistance; and prevention materials to individuals who may have elevated sexual misconduct risk

Pre-service factors associated with sexual misconduct among male U.S. Marines.

PurposeSexual assault is a prevalent and persistent problem in the military, yet few studies have examined predictors of sexual offenses. The study aim was to determine pre-service factors associated with sexual offense conviction among U.S. Marines.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study analyzed data from male active duty U.S. Marines (2003-2018). Pre-service factors were assessed using survey data from the Recruit Assessment Program, obtained prior to recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. These survey data were linked with sexual offense conviction data obtained from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Consolidated Law Enforcement Operations Center.ResultsOf the 146,307 participants, the majority were 18-19 years old (66.7%) and non-Hispanic, White (62.1%) with a high school education or less (76.8%); 107 received convictions for a sexual offense. In unadjusted analyses, race and ethnicity, parental education, type of primary caregiver, parental death, family economic status, childhood emotional trauma, childhood physical abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and unprotected sex were associated with a sexual offense conviction. In the final multivariable model, race and ethnicity (American Indian/Alaskan Native, odds ratio [OR]: 5.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-14.98; Hispanic, OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.06-3.18; multiracial/other, OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 1.56-6.89), education (≤ high school, OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.21-5.80), parental death (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.16-4.45), unprotected sex (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.03-3.05), and school suspension/expulsion (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.02-2.65) were significant predictors of a subsequent sexual offense conviction.ConclusionsResults underscore the importance of understanding factors associated with sexual offense and highlight the large discrepancy between self-reported estimates of sexual assault and sexual offense convictions. Findings may inform the development of effective strategies to reduce sexual misconduct, such as technology-facilitated programs that provide private, targeted education; supportive assistance; and prevention materials to individuals who may have elevated sexual misconduct risk

Life events, experiences and risky behaviors by sexual offense conviction among U.S. male marines.

Life events, experiences and risky behaviors by sexual offense conviction among U.S. male marines.</p