The objective of this study was to describe the narrative themes that emerged in Mexican American couples' stories about their relationship challenges at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic-during lockdown-and to examine how those themes related to their relationship satisfaction. We surveyed 58 male-female married couples (n = 116 participants; 73.33% Mexican American) recruited from the Southwest United States and enrolled in a longitudinal study of relationship functioning. Spouses wrote stories about the greatest COVID-19-related challenges they were facing as a couple. To explore associations between relationship satisfaction and the lived experience of COVID-19, stories were coded for established narrative identity themes (agency, communion, affect, meaning-making) and themes developed to account for the context of marital challenges (challenge outcomes, couple stress responses, familismo, overriding positive regard). Relationship satisfaction was associated with six narrative themes for wives (0.29 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.56) and three themes for husbands (0.29 ≤ |r| ≤ 0.40). Actor-partner interdependence modeling showed six actor effects and one partner effect for wives but no significant effects for husbands. This research provides novel insight into the challenges faced by Mexican American couples during the pandemic and suggests great promise for using narrative identity research to understand how individuals' narrations of couple stories are linked to relationship satisfaction. Further, our findings suggest that the narrative themes characterizing how conflict is storied by partners within the couple therapy room might be directly targeted as a means to improve relationship satisfaction.

A narrative identity approach was used to examine associations between narrative theme predictors and loneliness and perceived spousal social support outcomes. Participants (n = 135; 50% women; 73.3% Mexican American) enrolled in a longitudinal study of marital functioning wrote pandemic-related relationship challenge narratives and completed measures of loneliness and social support. Eight themes (established: affect, agency, communion, meaning-making; novel: challenge resolution, couple stress response, familismo, overriding positive regard) were quantitatively coded and used in analyses. Social support was associated with most themes for women, but few for men. Loneliness was associated with different themes by gender. This study extends the narrative identity literature by including a majority Mexican American sample, novel interpersonal themes, and loneliness and social support as outcomes.

Research on couple assessments and interventions often overlooks cultural complexities, particularly when applying tools designed for one population to another. This omission is problematic because relationship dynamics may vary significantly across cultures, leading to different interpretations of what is considered pathological or normative. This study extends the use of the Relationship Quality Interview (RQI; Lawrence in: J Soc Pers Relation 25:445-466. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407508090868, 2008, Psychol Assess 23(1):44-63, https://doi.org/10.1037/a0021096, 2011), a semi-structured interview of relational functioning, by assessing its cultural relevance with Mandarin-speaking Chinese couples. The RQI was first translated from English into Mandarin. Next, cultural adaptations were formulated through semi-structured interviews with seven Mandarin-speaking couple therapists (85.7

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered life in the United States, especially for ethnic and racial minority communities who are disproportionately affected by the virus. In this descriptive study, we sought to understand how mixed-gender Latine couples in the U.S. are functioning both dyadically and individually, in addition to identifying aspects of their unique experience during the early stages of the pandemic. We administered an online survey to 146 participants (67 mixed-sex dyads and 12 individual partners), already enrolled in a longitudinal study on marital functioning, in which at least one partner self-identified as Latine. Results from the study revealed couples overwhelmingly reported positive relationship functioning, although individual stress and negative affect were both elevated, suggesting that individual but not relational-distress is prevalent among Latine couples during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend that clinicians working with Latine couples focus on helping them adapt to COVID-related stressors rather than addressing novel relationship problems and to approach their relationships as fundamentally protective. This study lays important groundwork for how Latine couples are experiencing the pandemic and demonstrates profound resilience against the potentially negative impacts of stress on relationships.

The ability to respond flexibly in situations is critical to individual well-being and couples’ functioning in romantic relationships. The Flexibility in Partner Perspectives Scale (FiPPS) was developed and validated so that two key aspects of relational flexibility—specifically the ability to generate alternative perspectives and respond non-defensively when alternative perspectives are raised within challenging partner situations—can be studied and targeted in interventions for distressed couples. We introduce the FiPPS as an 8-item self-report questionnaire composed of two 4-item subscales that measure these aspects, respectively. In Study 1, individuals ( N = 208) in committed relationships were recruited online to answer questionnaires relating to relational flexibility and various aspects of the couple’s and individual’s functioning. We used parallel analysis and exploratory factor analysis to examine the psychometric properties of the 25 items developed for the FiPPS and to reduce the number of items retained in the final measure. The FiPPS was then validated in Study 2 using confirmatory factor analysis with a separate online sample of individuals ( N = 430) in committed relationships. A subset of Study 2’s sample ( N = 196) was used to establish test–retest reliability. Studies 3 and 4 demonstrated FiPPS’ predictive validity by showing in two additional samples ( N = 260 treatment-seeking couples, N = 85 Hispanic/Latinx couples) that individuals who scored higher on the FIPPS scale also reported greater relationship satisfaction. Taken together, the FiPPS appears to be a brief and useful measure that predicts relationship satisfaction above and beyond general cognitive flexibility and perspective taking.

Couple interventions are limited in their effectiveness for reducing marital distress and dissolution. One explanation for this may be the narrow focus on conflict management and a limited understanding of how other domains in marriage influence one another over time. We present the first test of the relational domain spillover model (RDSM) to understand the extent to which poor functioning in either positive or negative areas of the relationship spill over into other aspects of relationship functioning across time. Husbands and wives reported annually on the quality of five relationship domains (emotional intimacy, sex, support, power/control, and conflict) over the first seven years of marriage. Longitudinal dyadic multilevel modeling techniques were used to examine how domains change over time and how earlier declines in positive areas of couple functioning predict later problems in negative areas of couple functioning and vice versa. We found support for both directions of the RDSM model. Earlier declines in sexuality and support predicted later declines in conflict, and, for wives, earlier declines in couple sexuality were linked to later control issues. Earlier declines in conflict communication and control predicted later problems with emotional intimacy. For men, longitudinal associations between sexuality and conflict, and control, were bidirectional. These findings point to the need to move toward a multi-dimensional, dynamic conceptualization of relationship functioning across time and the importance of focusing on different relational domains as targets for couple interventions.

ABSTRACT Research suggests that 60–70% of adolescents detained in the juvenile justice system meet criteria for a mental health disorder compared to 20% of the general adolescent population; however, the vast majority do not receive services. Unfortunately, mental health symptoms often worsen during detainment, and detainment is linked to lower levels of educational attainment and increased risk of adult recidivism. Thus, not only are these adolescents unlikely to receive needed mental health care but also the lack of interventions in detention may exacerbate inequities of contact with the criminal justice system in adulthood. In addition to these youth being an underserved population broadly, youth of color are also disproportionately incarcerated compared to their white counterparts. The current paper describes results of a pilot study of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based behavioral skills intervention, aimed at providing evidence-based mental health treatment for anadolescent population at risk of long-term adverse mental health outcomes. The study included 128 males aged 14–17 who resided in juvenile detention. Results demonstrated that the intervention was acceptable to participants, feasible to provide in detention, and could be implemented with fidelity and competency. Intervention participants demonstrated declines in symptoms of mental health, and ACT-specific constructs of experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, and perceived barriers to moving toward their values. These results have important implications for the possibility of an effective intervention that could disrupt systemic inequity in youth mental health, and thus support further testing of this intervention in a randomized controlled trial.

The associations between insecure attachment (anxious and avoidant dimensions), maladaptive relational attributions, self-esteem, and psychological aggression were examined in a sample of couples (N = 96 couples) across the early years of marriage. Studying these constructs within a single sample is a novel contribution to the literature. Attachment was assessed at marriage, whereas maladaptive attributions, self-esteem, and psychological aggression were evaluated annually over the first 7 years of marriage. For the present study, specific maladaptive relational attributions about the spouse's hypothetical aggressive behavior were investigated. Data from both spouses were examined simultaneously using growth curve analytic and actor-partner interdependence modeling techniques. Results indicated that self locus attributions (i.e., attributing the cause of the spouse's hypothetical aggressive behavior to the self), intentionality attributions (i.e., attributing the spouse's motivation for the hypothetical behavior as intentional), and self-esteem were predicted by insecure attachment and covaried longitudinally with psychological aggression. Husbands' self-esteem and wives' intentionality attributions were particularly consistent in these associations. The results replicate and extend previous research by examining these constructs using a longitudinal dyadic approach. The findings of this study provide specific targets for intervention efforts to reduce psychological aggression and support conceptualizing psychological aggression within a dyadic and dynamic framework. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: The goal of the present study was to replicate and extend published preliminary evidence demonstrating that a relatively new treatment (Achieving Change through Value-Based Behavior [ACTV]) for men convicted of domestic violence significantly reduces recidivism compared to the standard treatment offered across the United States (the Duluth Model and/or cognitive-behavioral approaches). Method: Men convicted of domestic assault (DA) and court-mandated to a Batterers Intervention Program [N = 725; Mage = 34.9 years (SDage = 10.37 years)] were assigned to attend ACTV or treatment-as-usual (TAU). Participants were predominantly Black (63.3%). Recidivism, defined as any new convictions, any violent convictions, and any DA convictions, was examined up to 5 years posttreatment. Only men classified as medium or high risk were included. Results: Men in TAU were more likely to receive any conviction (95% CI [1.61, 4.40]), a violent conviction (95% CI [1.67, 9.60]), and a DA conviction (95% CI [1.36, 4.90]) compared to men in ACTV. Time to new conviction posttreatment was shorter for men in TAU versus ACTV (95% CI [2.16, 4.11]). Finally, the risk of receiving any new conviction (95% CI [1.46, 7.11]) was more strongly associated with noncompletion for TAU than ACTV participants. Conclusions: ACTV shows great promise for reducing recidivism compared to TAU. The present study represents the first time this intervention has been implemented in a state other than where it was developed and provides initial evidence for its generalizability and robustness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Objective: Following bereavement, yearning and grief rumination are repetitive cognitive processes that can lead to disordered grief. Mindfulness training (MT) has been shown to reduce maladaptive repetitive thought. The current quasi-randomized controlled trial examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of MT for bereavement-related grief. Method: Ninety-five widow(er)s (Mage = 67.5, 79% women, 98% White) between 6 months to 4 years post-loss were assigned to a 6-week MT intervention or a progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) intervention, or a wait-list condition. Outcome measures were grief severity (Revised Inventory of Complicated Grief), yearning (Yearning in Situations of Loss), rumination (Utrecht Grief Rumination Scale), and decentering (Experiences Questionnaire-Decentering) assessed at baseline, Weeks 2 and 4 of intervention, post-intervention, and 1-month post-intervention. Growth curve analysis examined group differences in rates of improvement in outcomes through follow-up and associations with improvement in grief severity. Results: The MT and PMR groups showed significant rates of decline in grief severity and yearning, though only the PMR group showed a greater rate of decline in grief severity than wait-list. All groups showed significant rates of decline in grief rumination. The PMR and wait-list groups showed significant rates of increase in decentering compared to the MT group. Conclusions: Results support the feasibility and acceptability of MT and PMR for widow(er)s as well as the preliminary efficacy of PMR for improving grief severity in widow(er)s compared to a wait-list control condition. With replication, PMR could be a standalone intervention for non-disordered grief or a component of treatment for disordered grief. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

ABSTRACTIntroductionAdolescent‐to‐parent violence/aggression (APV/A) is an understudied yet increasingly common social problem for adolescents and families, particularly those involved in the juvenile justice system. The current study focused on improving interventions for this population by gathering qualitative data from stakeholders to inform treatment targets.MethodsParticipants (N = 23) comprised of court professionals (n = 7), parents/guardians (n = 9), and their male adolescent children (n = 7) in the United States. Parent and adolescent participants were recruited through monthly court‐mandated domestic violence education classes offered by the juvenile court. Parent/guardian participants were between the ages of 38 and 77 and consisted of four males and five females. Adolescents were between the ages of 14 and 17. Court professional participants consisted of judges, probation officers, and court psychologists. Semi‐structured interviews were analyzed qualitatively using grounded theory.ResultsResults indicated that, from the perspective of key stakeholders, an effective intervention to reduce APV/A likely involves a two‐pronged approach: (1) address specific and theoretically modifiable emotional, behavioral, and psychological factors at the adolescent‐level; and (2) induce change in the family system by addressing environmental barriers to seeking treatment and by creating positive family relationships.ConclusionsThe present study aimed to gather the perspectives of court professionals, adolescents, and parents/guardians regarding the development of an effective intervention for APV/A‐involved families. This study represents the first step toward the development of a feasible, acceptable, sustainable, and effective intervention for adolescents and their families who are involved in the juvenile justice system due to APV/A.

Interventions for men who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) have historically been relatively ineffective at reducing or stopping subsequent IPV. However, there are several strong theoretical reasons that suggest Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), an intervention that emphasizes the use of mindfulness and aims to foster psychological flexibility, may be particularly well-suited to interrupting the factors that maintain IPV. The goal of the present article is to review the evidence for the application of ACT to target IPV. In addition, empirical studies that have, to date, shown promising initial support for a targeted intervention (Achieving Change Through Values-Based Behavior; ACTV) are reviewed. The implications for using ACT-based skills with perpetrators of IPV are discussed, along with potential future directions and further applications of ACT to hard-to-treat populations.

Justice-involved adolescents meet diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders at much higher rates than their counterparts, and this increased risk persists into young adulthood (Abram et al., 2015; Teplin, Abram, McClelland, Dulcan, & Mericle, 2002). Despite growing recognition of this problem, there remains a dearth of adequate therapeutic services in juvenile detention and marked variation in the quality and availability of community-based services (Kretschmar, Butcher, Flannery, & Singer, 2016). This article presents the development of a multidisciplinary partnership among clinical research psychologists and court professionals to address aggressive behaviors and unmet mental health needs of adolescents in the juvenile justice system. We describe the early stages of collaboration, in which experts from disparate disciplines joined forces to address a mounting problem in the juvenile justice system that represented both a gap in the research-practice continuum and a lack of vital mental health resources in the local community. We delineate the team composition, outline key players' roles and contributions, and describe the principles that guided our collaboration across disciplines and agencies. We were effective in developing a sustainable multidisciplinary team, developing a new intervention, and implementing this new intervention in a challenging setting. The challenges we encountered throughout the process as well as the solutions that were generated and the lessons learned are discussed in detail. We discuss the substantive outcomes of our research and conclude with recommendations for readers interested in organizing similar academic-research/community partnerships. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Substantial research supports bidirectional links between intimate relationship discord and individual psychopathology, including depressive symptoms. However, few studies have utilized daily diary methods to capture the micro-level processes underlying the association between couple discord and depression, particularly among populations that are at elevated risk for both interpersonal and individual dysfunction. To address this gap, we examined whether daily changes in satisfaction with relationship functioning were associated with daily changes in negative affect and positive affect over the span of 2 weeks among mental health outpatients of low socioeconomic status. Participants were 53 low-income outpatients from community mental health clinics who completed a semi-structured interview about the quality of their intimate relationships followed by 14 daily reports of positive and negative mood and satisfaction with relationship functioning across several domains. Growth curve analytic techniques revealed the hypothesized bidirectional relations. Decline in satisfaction with relationship functioning predicted escalation in negative affect and deterioration in positive affect over 2 weeks, and deterioration of mood predicted declining satisfaction with relationship functioning. This study extends existing knowledge about couple dysfunction and individual psychopathology by highlighting the immediate nature of this dynamic process as it unfolds over time.

When romantic relationships end, many people experience a loss in identity or loss of self with subsequent psychological distress. To evaluate the predictive validity of loss of self in a sample of separated/divorced adults (N = 133), we use self-report data and judge ratings of behavioral observation to explore if loss of self is associated with psychological distress over five months. We identify predictors of loss of self by examining how judge-rated perceptions of the former partner might lead to changes in loss of self and subsequent psychological distress. Results indicate that higher levels of self-reported and judge-rated loss of self are associated with higher levels of psychological distress. Higher self-reported loss of self at the initial visit was associated with higher levels of psychological distress three months later. Finally, the more divorcing adults spontaneously differentiated and distinguished their identities from their former partners, the smaller their declines in loss of self three months later, and the smaller their declines in psychological distress five months later. Our findings suggest that judge-rated loss of self is associated with psychological distress above-and-beyond self-reported loss of self. Further, it highlights differentiation as a key variable that underpins changes in loss of self and subsequent distress.

Adolescent-to-parent violence is an increasingly recognized family and societal problem. Documented prevalence rates range between 5 and 22% of the population; however, researchers speculate that this is a gross underestimate. Parents and caregivers are hesitant to report adolescent-to-parent violence because, in large part, there are no standardized protocols for police response and evidence-based treatment practices are nonexistent. This article offers an updated narrative review of existing literature on adolescent-to-parent violence found through word searches in the databases Google Scholar and PsychInfo followed by additional review of cited literature in all articles located. We review extant theoretical frameworks that guide research and practice, discuss the impact of inconsistent research methods on the current state of knowledge, integrate new empirical data on risk and protective factors and assessment procedures, and detail existing intervention approaches. There are substantial detrimental consequences of adolescent-to-parent violence for families and current research, assessment, and intervention practices have fallen short of fully addressing these needs. A collective, collaborative, and interdisciplinary effort by clinical scientists, mental health practitioners, and the legal community is greatly needed to develop a more comprehensive and integrated literature that can then inform policy and practice.

This chapter defines violent coercion in romantic relationships as comprising threatening or controlling behaviors such as economic abuse and social isolation, dominance and intimidation, belligerence and humiliation, threats of physical violence, physical violence itself, and sexual violence. This type of coercion occurs in a broad range of intimate relationships—dating, cohabiting, engaged and newlywed couples, separated and divorced couples, and second and third marriages. Even mild and infrequent forms of violent coercion have negative consequences for victims, relationships, and children raised in these homes. There are few empirically supported interventions for violent coercion in committed relationships, and those that do exist are limited in their efficacy. This chapter reviews the wide variation in definitions of coercion in committed relationships, assesses the methods used to measure coercion in committed relationships, reviews traditional treatments and evaluates their efficacy, and delineates recent treatment advances and outline directions for future research.