The Initial Evaluation of a Relationship Education Program for Male Same-sex Couples
The Initial Evaluation of a Relationship Education Program for Male Same-sex Couples

Author: Brian Buzzella

Publisher:

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 376

ISBN-13:

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Abstract: Same- and other-sex relationships involve similar patterns of development and are subject to similar predictors of relationship distress and dissolution; however, same-sex couples are subject to more varied and intense versions of these predictors (e.g., lack of support for the relationship). Negative relationship outcomes are associated with poorer mental and physical health highlighting the importance of couple-focused interventions to prevent relationship distress. Unfortunately, most programs were explicitly designed for other-sex couples. This project involved the initial evaluation of the acceptability and utility of a relationship education program specifically designed for same-sex couples. The intervention utilizes evidence-based techniques (e.g., communication training) as well as material thought to be especially relevant for same-sex couples (e.g., coping with discrimination). Twelve married or engaged male same-sex couples were randomized to either an immediate intervention ( N = 7) or waitlist (N = 5) condition. Those completing the intervention participated in a three month, post intervention, follow-up (N = 11). Although participants rated all intervention components as highly useful for enhancing their marriages, several recommendations for program refinement were suggested during an exit interview (e.g., increasing focus on sexual connection). Effect size estimates comparing change across the waitlist, reveal that involvement in the waitlist was associated with improvements in communication and problem solving, relationship outcomes (i.e., satisfaction, confidence, and quality), perceived support for the relationship, social support, perceived stress, and physical well-being. This may be a consequence of study assessment methodologies (e.g., engagement in a problem solving discussion) and/or the couple's decision to participate in a relationship education program. To examine the specific impact of the intervention, a series of effect sizes were calculated, each comparing data at post-waitlist and post-intervention (for the immediate treatment group only) time points. These results suggest that involvement in the intervention was associated with improvements in communication, relationship outcomes (i.e., satisfaction, confidence, and quality), perceived support for the relationship, social support, perceived stress, and mental well-being. Intervention effects were generally maintained three months later, suggesting that this program may result in lasting improvements in individual and relational outcomes. Future research will evaluate the intervention among a larger sample of couples.

LGBTQ Divorce and Relationship Dissolution
LGBTQ Divorce and Relationship Dissolution

Author: Abbie E. Goldberg

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2018-11-14

Total Pages: 488

ISBN-13: 0190669772

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What unique challenges face LGBTQ individuals in relationships or who are separating or divorcing, especially now that same-sex couples may marry? What issues might complicate the ending of relationships when children, multiple partners, or multiple parents are present? How do gender, gender transition, ethnicity, immigration status, economic status, geography, and other characteristics shape the experiences of divorcing or separating LGBTQ people? Finally, how can therapists and lawyers most effectively assist LGBTQ people whose relationships and families are dissolving? LGBTQ Divorce and Relationship Dissolution: Psychological and Legal Perspectives and Implications for Practice brings together social science and legal perspectives to examine the timely topic of relationship dissolution and divorce among sexual and gender minorities. The first edited book to tackle this topic in an informed, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary matter, this volume gathers and expands current knowledge on topics such as LGBTQ people's relationship and dissolution patterns; the divorce and child custody rules and processes that now apply to many LGBTQ families; and the surrounding political and cultural environment in the United States. It will also address practical issues such as mediation with same-sex couples who are separating or divorcing, financial planning, and family therapy for sexual minority parents and their children in the context of divorce/dissolution. With chapters contributed by leading scholars and practitioners from law, political science, psychology, sociology, and other disciplines, LGBTQ Divorce and Relationship Dissolution will be an invaluable resource for academics, practitioners, policymakers, and LGBTQ people. It will also be of interest to students in psychology, counseling, law, and LGBTQ and gender studies.

Evidence-based Approaches to Relationship and Marriage Education
Evidence-based Approaches to Relationship and Marriage Education

Author: James J. Ponzetti, Jr.

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2015-07-16

Total Pages: 363

ISBN-13: 1317632915

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This is the first book to provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of evidence-based relationship and marriage education (RME) programs. Readers are introduced to the best practices for designing, implementing, and evaluating effective RME programs to better prepare them to teach clients how to have healthy intimate relationships. Noted contributors from various disciplines examine current programs and best practices, often by the original developers themselves. Readers learn to critically appraise approaches and design and implement effective, evidence-based programs in the future. Examples and discussion questions encourage readers to examine issues and apply what they have learned. The conceptual material in Parts I & II provides critical guidance for practitioners who wish to develop, implement, and evaluate RME programs in various settings. Chapters in Parts III & IV follow a consistent structure so readers can more easily compare programs-- program overview and history, theoretical foundations, needs assessment and target audience, program goals & objectives, curriculum issues, cultural Implications, evidence based research and evaluation, and additional resources. This book reflects what the editor has learned from teaching relationship development and family life education courses over the past decade and includes the key information that students need to become competent professionals. Highlights of the book’s coverage include: Comprehensive summary of effective evidence-based RME training programs in one volume. Prepares readers for professional practice as a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) by highlighting the fundamentals of developing RME programs. Describes the challenges associated with RME program evaluation. The book opens with a historical overview of RME development. It is followed by 20 chapters divided in six parts. The initial four chapters focus on fundamentals of relationship and marriage education --program development, required training, delivery systems, and implementation. The three chapters in Part II consider important conceptual and theoretical frameworks used in RME. Part III considers best practices in inventory based programs while Part IV examines six skills-based programs. The chapters in Parts III and IV consider program overview and history, theoretical foundations, needs assessment and target audience, program goals and objectives, curriculum issues, cultural implications, evidence-based research & evaluation, and additional resources. This content covers four categories of effective programs -- design and content, relevance, delivery and implementation, and assessment and quality assurance. Part V presents evidence-based RME with diverse groups and Part VI reviews future directions. Intended for use in advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in relationship and marriage education, family life education, marriage and relationship counseling/therapy, intimate relationships, relationship development, or home/school/community services taught in human development and family studies, psychology, social work, sociology, religion, and more, this ground-breaking book also serves as a resource for practitioners, therapists, counselors, clergy members, and policy makers interested in evidence based RME programs and those seeking to become Certified Family Life Educators or preparing for a career in RME.

Foundations for Couples' Therapy
Foundations for Couples' Therapy

Author: Jennifer Fitzgerald

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2017-02-03

Total Pages: 533

ISBN-13: 1317391713

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As a quality resource that examines the psychological, neurobiological, cultural, and spiritual considerations that undergird optimal couple care, Foundations for Couples’ Therapy teaches readers to conduct sensitive and comprehensive therapy with a diverse range of couples. Experts from social work, clinical psychotherapy, neuroscience, social psychology, and health respond to one of seven central case examples to help readers understand the dynamics within each partner, as well as within the couple as a system and within a broader cultural context. Presented within a Problem-Based Learning approach (PBL), these cases ground the text in clinical reality. Contributors cover critical and emerging topics like cybersex, emotional well-being, forgiveness, military couples, developmental trauma, and more, making it a must-have for practitioners as well as graduate students.

An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy
An Introduction to Marriage and Family Therapy

Author: Joseph L. Wetchler

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-08-27

Total Pages: 715

ISBN-13: 1317963393

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Now in its second edition, this text introduces readers to the rich history and practice of Marriage and Family Therapy, with 32 professionals from across the US presenting their knowledge in their areas of expertise. This blend of approaches and styles gives this text a unique voice and makes it a comprehensive resource for graduate students taking their first course in Marriage and Family Therapy. The book is divided into three sections: Part 1 focuses on the components on which 21st century family therapy is based and summarizes the most recent changes made to not only therapeutic interventions, but to the very concept of “family.” Part 2 presents an overview of the 7 major theoretical models of the field: structural, strategic, Milan, social constructionist, experiential, transgenerational, and cognitive-behavioral family therapy. Each chapter in this section • Focuses on the founder of the theory, its theoretical tenants, and its key techniques • Shows how the model focuses on diversity • Presents the research that supports the approach Part 3 addresses specific treatment areas that are common to marriage and family therapists, such as sex therapy, pre-marital therapy, research, and ethics and legal issues. As an introduction to the field of Marriage and Family Therapy, this volume stands above the rest. Not only will readers gain an understanding of the rich history of the field and its techniques, but they will also see a complete picture of the context in which families are embedded, such as gender, culture, spirituality, and sexual orientation. This knowledge is the key to understanding what differentiates Marriage and Family Therapy from individual psychotherapy. Glossaries, case studies, tables, figures, and appendices appear generously throughout the text to present this information and give students a thorough overview to prepare them for their professional lives.

Handbook of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Sexual and Gender Minorities
Handbook of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Sexual and Gender Minorities

Author: John E. Pachankis

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2019-04-01

Total Pages: 480

ISBN-13: 0190669314

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Historically, mental health clinical research has taken inadequate account of psychosocial disorders experienced by those who identify as sexual and gender minorities, however, researchers have recently begun developing and adapting evidence-based mental health treatment approaches for use with these groups. Handbook of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice with Sexual and Gender Minorities offers a comprehensive array of evidence-based approaches for treating sexual and gender minority clients' mental health concerns. The interventions detailed here span a diverse spectrum of populations, including sexual and gender minority youth, transgender populations, same-sex couples, sexual minority parents, and bisexual individuals. Chapters also address numerous mental and behavioral health problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, trauma, body image disturbance, and sexual health. In addition to an overview of the research evidence supporting each clinical presentation and approach, chapters contain practical how-to guidance for therapists to use in their clinical practice. This book reflects a true integration of the best of sexual and gender minority research and the best of evidence-based practice research, presented by the leading experts in the field. As such it is essential reading for mental health professionals who work with these groups, as well as trainees in social work, counseling, and clinical psychology.

The Marriage Checkup
The Marriage Checkup

Author: James V. Córdova

Publisher: Jason Aronson

Published: 2009-05-11

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13: 0765706415

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The Marriage Checkup is designed to help couples assess the strengths and weaknesses of their relationship and to develop strategies for strengthening its health. Like physical health, the health of a relationship can be developed to greater levels of fitness and resilience to illness. Thus, even healthy couples can benefit from a marital health perspective by developing exercises for optimizing their health and fitness. This book primarily serves couples interested in improving the health of their relationship. Counselors and therapists may recommend that their couples-patients use the book. Additionally, the book may be of interest to professors of marriage and family counseling.

The Wiley Handbook of Early Childhood Development Programs, Practices, and Policies
The Wiley Handbook of Early Childhood Development Programs, Practices, and Policies

Author: Elizabeth Votruba-Drzal

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2017-04-17

Total Pages: 545

ISBN-13: 1118937295

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The first and only comprehensive review of current early childhood development theory, practices, policies, and the science behind them This unique and important bookprovides a comprehensive overview of the current theory, practices, and policies in early childhood development withinthe contexts of family, school, and community, and society at large. Moreover, it synthesizes scientifically rigorous research from an array of disciplines in an effort to identify the most effective strategies for promoting early childhood development. Research into childhood development is booming, and the scientific knowledge base concerning early childhood development is now greater than that of any other stage of the human life span. At the same time, efforts to apply that knowledge to early childhood practices, programs, and policies have never been greater or more urgent. Yet, surprisingly, until The Handbook of Early Childhood Development Programs, Practices, and Policies, there was no comprehensive, critical review of the applied science in the field. The book begins with in-depth coverage of child and family approaches. From there it moves onto a consideration of school- and community-based strategies. It concludes with a discussion of current social policies on health and development in early childhood and their implications. Provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the knowledge base, along with guidance for the future of the field Examines the underlying theory and basic science guiding efforts to promote early childhood development Critically reviews the strength of the empirical support for individual practices, programs, and policies Explores key opportunities and barriers policymakers and practitioners face when implementing various approaches Pays particular attention to socioeconomically disadvantaged and other disenfranchised populations The Handbook of Early Childhood Development Programs, Practices, and Policies is a valuable resource for practitioners, scholars, graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students across the social sciences who are interested in strengthening their understanding of current strategies for promoting early childhood development and the science informing those strategies.

The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Couples and Family Relationships
The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Couples and Family Relationships

Author: Patricia Noller

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2012-02-20

Total Pages: 516

ISBN-13: 1444334506

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The Wiley-Blackwell Handbook of Couples and Family Relationships presents original articles from leading experts that link research, policy, and practice together to reflect the most current knowledge of contemporary relationships. Offers interesting new perspectives on a range of relationship issues facing twenty-first century Western society Helps those who work with couples and families facing with relationship issues Includes practical suggestions for dealing with relationship problems Explores diverse issues, including family structure versus functioning; attachment theory; divorce and family breakdown; communication and conflict; self regulation, partner regulation, and behavior change; care-giving and parenting; relationship education; and therapy and policy implications

Social Poverty
Social Poverty

Author: Sarah Halpern-Meekin

Publisher: NYU Press

Published: 2019-06-04

Total Pages: 301

ISBN-13: 1479816892

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How low-income people cope with the emotional dimensions of poverty Could a lack of close, meaningful social ties be a public—rather than just a private—problem? In Social Poverty, Sarah Halpern-Meekin provides a much-needed window into the nature of social ties among low-income, unmarried parents, highlighting their often-ignored forms of hardship. Drawing on in-depth interviews with thirty-one couples, collected during their participation in a government-sponsored relationship education program called Family Expectations, she brings unprecedented attention to the relational and emotional dimensions of socioeconomic disadvantage. Poverty scholars typically focus on the economic use value of social ties—for example, how relationships enable access to job leads, informal loans, or a spare bedroom.However, Halpern-Meekin introduces the important new concept of “social poverty,” identifying it not just as a derivative of economic poverty, but as its own condition, which also perpetuates poverty. Through a careful and nuanced analysis of the strengths and limitations of relationship classes, she shines a light on the fundamental place of core socioemotional needs in our lives. Engaging and compassionate, Social Poverty highlights a new direction for policy and poverty research that can enrich our understanding of disadvantaged families around the country.