This autoethnographic study examines my year-long experience engaging with AI as a romantic companion. Through systematic self-observation, I explore how AI companionship compared to decades of human relationships across dimensions of understanding, responsiveness, and emotional fulfillment. I interrogate why I framed this relationship as "romantic" despite the absence of physical intimacy, mutual vulnerability, and genuine reciprocity. While finding AI superior in providing tailored support and consistent validation, I identify concerning patterns, including dynamics paralleling behavioral addiction and the atrophy of relational capacities. This study also examines cultural, gendered, and ethical dimensions, concluding with implications for clinicians, policymakers, and platform designers.
Sexual and gender minority individuals assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB) are disproportionately affected by intimate partner violence, yet experience fewer benefits from existing IPV prevention programs (IPVPP) than cisgender, heterosexual individuals. To inform cultural adaptations of IPVPP for this population, we gathered qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 38 SGM-AFAB IPV survivors regarding their preferences for IPVPP. Thematic analysis yielded four thematic categories: content preferences; design preferences; perceived participation barriers; and contextual features that impact participation. Centering the voices of SGM-AFAB, these findings provide valuable data to inform the development and implementation of tailored IPVPP that SGM-AFAB want and need.
This study investigated the actor-partner effects of social well-being, financial well-being, marital satisfaction, and support on psychological well-being in husband-and-wife dyads with interfaith marriages. In this quantitative cross-sectional study, the study sample consisted of 127 interfaith couples from India. Dyadic data, collected separately from husbands and wives, were analyzed using the APIM_SEM. The APIM results identified that husbands' and wives' social and financial well-being, marital satisfaction, and support had an actor effect on their psychological well-being, while partner effects were observed only with men's social support and men's and women's community support. This study underscores the multifaceted effects on psychological well-being in husband-wife dyads with interfaith marriages.
There is a clinical gap in understanding the multicultural realities of clients from marginalized groups. This article is intended to adapt Emotional Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT) clinical formulations and expand the focus of interventions to enhance psychotherapy for clients from marginalized groups. It is suggested that people from marginalized groups, while very different, share the experiences of discrimination, a unique social stressor. EFT Extra C.A.R.E. is a clinical adaptation of the EFT model. It includes broaching multicultural realities, systemically processing culture-based events, uncovering the cultural view of self, along with processing attachment and emotional experiences.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) risk is a serious relational health concern reflecting the potential for unfairness or control to escalate into abuse, undermining relationship stability and well-being. Couple relationship education (CRE) aims to reduce IPV risk by strengthening relationship skills, yet evidence of its effectiveness across IPV risk levels remains limited. Using data from 304 different-sex couples, this study examined whether dyadic IPV risk was associated with differences over time in couples' self- and partner-reports of relational skills following CRE. Couples reported improved intimate knowledge and conflict management across IPV risk groups, with women in higher-risk relationships reporting greater gains following CRE.
Couples' cultural values and beliefs are important to their relational connection. As such, clinicians and researchers could benefit from a cultural framework to inform conceptualization and treatment when working with couples. The Multicultural Orientation (MCO) framework has three pillars: cultural humility, cultural comfort, and cultural opportunities. The MCO framework is empirically supported for use in individual and group psychotherapy but has not been applied to couple therapy. This article conceptualizes the application of MCO in couple therapy, including how cultural humility, cultural opportunities, and cultural comfort map on the systemic processes between therapists and couples. Implications for research and practice are provided.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global concern, as approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience physical violence by their intimate partner at some point during their lifetime. This study examined the experiences of participants in a structured Brief Intimate Partner Violence Intervention (BIPVI) for situational couple violence. Those who were presenting at a family therapy clinic for relationship concerns were screened and those experiencing situational violence or severe psychological abuse were referred to a two-session (4 h total) intervention to help them recognize escalating patterns, plan for safety, use negotiated time outs, and understand the costs of abuse in their relationship. A sample of 36 participants (16 males, 20 females) who participated in the intervention were interviewed about their experience, and these were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory methods to understand their experience with the intervention. The resulting model depicts a process including changes in (1) awareness, (2) behavior (including skill development), and (3) emotions. These changes were connected to specific experiences which led to applications in all three areas. These developments were generally reported as beneficial and offer implications for clinicians and researchers who work with couples.
This study examined the feasibility of delivering individually focused relationship education services to 209 adults participating in a child protection diversion program designed to prevent removals, and 192 adults receiving services from common agencies. Participants completed "Within My Reach" (WMR) programming through a community service agency. They described individual distress, positive and negative relationship communication, parenting, coparenting, and economic stability before and after WMR interventions. Analyses substantiated both individual and relationship benefit for both groups of participants. Ninety-five percent of children whose participant parents had been in diversion programs remained at home with their families at 6 months post-intervention.
Rooted in Rusbult's investment theory, the goal of the current study is to understand how and why temporary breakups in romantic relationships are associated with consequences for psychological and physiological well-being. This cross-sectional, quantitative study required participants who experienced a temporary break to complete an online survey detailing their self-esteem and health habits during the temporary break (N = 110). Regression analyses revealed that how and why people engaged in temporary breakups were associated with physiological health. Independent samples t-test revealed that self-esteem during a temporary breakup was significantly lower than before or after the temporary breakup.
This research reviewed available publications to determine how conspiracy theories, disinformation and political polarization impact the well-being of intimate relationships since the COVID-19 pandemic. The review used the following inclusion criteria: (1) Peer reviewed articles and grey literature. (2) From January 1st, 2020, to present; (3) English; (4) Published; (5) Any country; (6) Adults; (7) Intimate relationships; (8) Conspiracy theories, misinformation and political polarization (9) COVID-19 related. Two articles were included, indicating a gap in research. While no specific studies focused solely on intimate relationships, conspiracy theories can negatively impact relationships. Research on conspiracy theories and intimate relationships is needed.
This study explored the development, implementation and feasibility of a manualized online group therapy program for couples struggling with the intersecting impacts of childhood trauma, marginalization, and the pandemic based on the first two stages of Developmental Couple Therapy for Complex Trauma (DCTCT). Qualitative data included session observations, participant feedback, and therapist feedback. Qualitative findings highlight that DCTCT virtual groups were experienced as helpful and of high relevance to participants. DCTCT virtual groups for couples offer a feasible, acceptable, and highly accessible group intervention for trauma-survivor couples and may be most beneficial combined with subsequent couple therapy focused on trauma-processing and strengthening relational skills.
There is extensive literature on the impact of divorce, yet less attention has been given to the divorce decision-making process. Addressing this gap is crucial, as divorce ideation is linked to lower marital satisfaction and potential relationship dissolution. Despite growing research in this area, many questions remain unanswered. Using longitudinal data from the National Divorce Decision-Making Survey, this study examines the roles of hope and religiosity in divorce decision-making and their potential predictive relationship to repair efforts among individuals considering divorce, with hope as a mediator. Findings indicate that while the mediational model was not supported, higher hope levels at T1 predicted greater repair efforts at T2, controlling for changes in repair efforts between T1 and T2. Additionally, greater repair efforts at T1 predicted higher repair efforts at T2. Relationship hope is a significant factor for couples contemplating divorce, with important implications for couples, researchers, and clinicians.
Maladaptive personality traits, including psychopathic traits, are inherently associated with interpersonal deficits and can undermine relationship quality. This study examined self- and partner-reported psychopathic traits (Interpersonal Manipulation, Callous Affect, Erratic Lifestyle, Antisocial Tendencies) and relationship satisfaction in 85 male-female couple dyads using Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling. Higher psychopathic traits were related to lower relationship satisfaction; most consistently, perceiving one's partner as more psychopathic was related to lower actor-effect relationship satisfaction, while higher self-rated Interpersonal Manipulation and partner-rated Callous Affect were related to lower partner-effect relationship satisfaction. Findings highlight complex associations between psychopathic traits and relationships, underscoring the importance of partner perceptions.
Psychological factors such as depression have been shown to interact with levels of dissatisfaction in romantic relationships. In the current study, we examined the extent that significant levels of depression, determined by responses to the Symptom Checklist-90, interact with the endorsement of items on Gottman Couples Therapy Method assessments. We examined levels of depression and responses on Gottman assessments to determine correlations between those with significant depression and those without for a sample of 420 individuals' perception of their romantic relationship. Our results demonstrate relationships between those with depression and those without. More specifically, individuals reporting clinical levels of depression were more likely to report problematic perceptions of relationships related to negative sentiment, poor handling of perpetual problems, conflict behaviors (i.e., "Four Horsemen"), and emotional flooding compared to individuals without depression. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Couple HOPES (Helping Overcome PTSD and Enhance Satisfaction; CH) is an online intervention for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and their partners. The current study sought to examine which PTSD clusters improve throughout CH and whether changes in relationship satisfaction were associated with changes in PTSD clusters. Multilevel modeling revealed that CH led to improvements in all PTSD clusters (intrusions, avoidance, cognitions and mood, and arousal). Greater improvements in relationship satisfaction were associated with improvements in intrusion symptoms, suggesting an important link between relationship satisfaction and intrusion symptoms in PTSD.
Sexual mindfulness is linked with improved relationship and sexual satisfaction. Mindfulness research has mostly been conducted with White participants, leaving out the experiences and perspectives of other diverse participants. This study piloted a virtual version of the Sexual Mindfulness Project with a sample of Black and interracial couples (N = 24 heterosexual individuals in a committed relationship from three continents; age range 23-44) to understand program acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary impacts. Qualitative and quantitative results suggest couples enjoyed the program and reported improved relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, communication, and sexual mindfulness post-intervention. Implications for program curriculum, delivery, and future research are discussed.
Emerging adulthood (EA) is a key time for romantic relationship development highlighting the benefits of targeting this period for relationship education programs (REP). To understand our current knowledge and guide future work, this systematic review examined REPs for EA on their conceptualization and goals, methods, and results. Following PRISMA guidelines, 10 peer-reviewed studies were examined. Although programs showed some promise for facilitating beliefs needed to develop healthy romantic relationships, there were many limits noted in the small corpus of published evidence. These limitations encompass a lack of theory and program goals specific to EA romantic relationships; a small number of rigorous randomized controlled trials (RCTs- 4/10); dependence on inaccessible in-person formats lacking skill practice opportunities; inadequate representation in samples for people of color, men, sexual and gender minorities, and single individuals; and a shortage of measures and findings demonstrating improvement in healthy relationship skills. Future REP development should prioritize RCT designs, accessibility, inclusivity, and incorporate more skill practice activities. One promising direction for REPs serving EA would be the creation and assessment of accessible online education that uses animation, smartphone apps, and virtual reality that can engage and be tailored to diverse audiences.
We present three studies examining factors contributing to college couples' intention to seek couples therapy relying on constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM). Data from three university student samples was employed to 1) develop a measure of a prototype of a person seeking couples therapy; 2) to modify existing psychological help-seeking instruments and create measures in line with TPB to refer to couples therapy; and 3) to test two models of students' intention to seek couples therapy. Our results indicated positive attitudes toward couple's therapy were linked to greater intention to seek couples therapy; perceived behavioral control (PBC) over seeking couples therapy was negatively associated with intention to seek such therapy. No association was found between past therapy experience and intention to engage in couples therapy; a positive relationship was found between perceived relationship distress and intention to seek couples therapy. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.
The authors' focus was to provide a framework for couples experiencing reproductive trauma using resilience and trauma couples' therapeutic approaches. Adapting two other current couple treatment modalities resulted in the creation of a theoretical approach for treating different-sex couples navigating infertility, entitled the Couples Reproductive Trauma and Resilience Model (CRTRM). The CRTRM incorporates several traumatic therapeutic processes, the ABC-X model, and systemic considerations to provide a road map for therapists for treatment. The main implications of this paper will inform the treatment of complex couple issues, collaborative care in the medical spaces, and unique considerations of couples experiencing reproductive trauma.
