Anne M. Prouty

Effects of parental infidelity and inter-parental conflict on relational ethics between adult children and parents: a contextual perspective

Little research in the couple and family therapy field has specifically addressed the influence of infidelity on members of the family outside the couple subsystem. The purpose of this exploratory quantitative study was to utilize the lens of contextual therapy to explore the influence of parental infidelity and inter-parental conflict on the vertical relational ethics of adult children (N = 703), including subscales measuring trust and justice, loyalty and entitlement. Results from multiple regression analyses demonstrated that both higher levels of inter-parental conflict and the occurrence of parental infidelity were associated with lower levels of vertical relational ethics, which often takes the form of decreased trust among family members and an increased potential for loyalty conflicts. Implications for addressing relational dynamics related to parental infidelity through systemic family therapy, as well as recommendations for future research, are discussed. Practitioner points Therapeutic assessment should examine how transgenerational infidelity and conflict patterns between partners influence parent–child relationships. Acknowledge young and adult children who feel caught in a split loyalty between parents and how they cope with these loyalty conflicts. Engage clients in dialogue concerning how to restore the balance of offering and receiving care, support, and connection within familys unique cultural context.

Spiritual Coping: A Gateway to Enhancing Family Communication During Cancer Treatment

The researchers examined the spiritual coping, family communication, and family functioning of 95 participants in 34 families by an online survey. Multilevel linear regression was used to test whether individuals’ and families’ higher endorsement of more use of spiritual coping strategies to deal with a member’s cancer would be associated with higher scores on family communication and family functioning, and whether better communication would also be associated with higher family functioning scores. Results revealed that spiritual coping was positively associated with family communication, and family communication was positively associated with healthier family functioning. The researchers provide suggestions for further research.

Parents’ Experiences of Intergenerational Value Transmission in Turkey’s Changing Society: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study

Intergenerational value transmission is a systemic phenomenon that affects parent-child relationships. However, there is a dearth of information about bidirectional value transmission processes from the perspectives of the parents. Based on an eco-systemic perspective, the researcher aimed to understand the parents’ experience of transmission of values with their adolescent children. This process included: What they chose to transmit, how they had tried to transmit, and the ways they negotiated value differences. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews in Istanbul, Turkey with 6 upper-middle class parents who had children between the ages of 13 and 19. Interpretative phenomenological analysis revealed 6 main themes that described parents’ experiences: (a) family connectedness, (b) transfer strategies, (c) transformations, (d) a changing world, (e) reflecting on parenting, and (f) process between the parents. The researcher then discusses the implications for clinicians and researchers.

Narrative Therapy with Intercultural Couples: A Case Study

We present an example of the use of narrative therapy with intercultural couples. The narratives focus on the exploration of issues facing many intercultural couples, including acculturation, societal pressures, divergent role beliefs, and the construction of a unique couple identity. Specifically, we discuss how externalizing, reauthoring, and remembering conversations of narrative therapy can help intercultural couples to revision and renew their couple identity. A case application is presented to illustrate two specific narrative interventions with intercultural couples.

Effects of Parental Infidelity on Adult Children's Relational Ethics With Their Partners: A Contextual Perspective

This study used the lens of contextual therapy to explore the influence of parental infidelity on adult childrens perceptions of relational ethics in their relationship with their partners. A predominantly female sample (N = 411) completed a survey about trust, fairness, and loyalty within their current romantic relationship. Results showed a significant relationship between fathers’ infidelity and lower levels of horizontal relational ethics, and participants’ own participation in infidelity partially mediated the relationship between fathers’ infidelity and horizontal relational ethics. The relationship between mothers’ infidelity and relational ethics was not significant. Recommendations for clinical practice and future research are discussed.

Differentiation of Self and Its Relationship With Family Functioning in South Koreans

This study examined relationships between differentiation of self and family functioning within the South Korean culture. The participants in this study were 235 Koreans residing in South Korea and ranged in age from 20 to 70 years. An analysis of variance revealed that older South Koreans had higher differentiation levels than younger South Koreans. Results of a multivariate analysis of covariance revealed there were significant differences between the high differentiation group and the low differentiation group across family functioning, family satisfaction, and family communication. The authors briefly discuss implications for clinical practice and future research.

Mentorship in Family Therapy Training Programs: Students’ and New Graduates’ Perspectives

ABSTRACT Using an online survey, researchers examined strengths and challenges of professional mentoring as viewed by new family therapists. The sample was mostly Caucasian, female, and trained in master’s programs within the United States (U.S.). Mentorships were most often informally arranged, and mentors were most likely clinicians internal to the program. Students in doctoral programs were most likely to be mentored. Mentors and mentees were generally unmatched by gender, but were likely to be matched by ethnic identity and sexual orientation. Several suggestions are made for future research on the quality, types, and roles of mentorship within the profession of family therapy.

The role of natural disaster in individual and relational adjustment in Sri Lankan mothers following the 2004 tsunami

The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between maternal mental health distress symptoms, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, the extent to which the presence of a childs disaster-related physical health problem(s) have interfered with daily functioning, and family cohesion over time among Sri Lankan mothers who survived the tsunami on 26 December 2004. Study variables were measured using a self-report questionnaire administered approximately four months after the event and three years later in summer 2008. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. Path analysis was employed to assess the relationships between the key variables over time and the correlations in the study variables at each time point. Among other findings, the results of the path analysis indicated that post-traumatic stress symptom distress four months after the disaster significantly predicted variance in family cohesion three years later. Clinical and empirical research implications are presented and discussed.

Experiences of Families Transmitting Values in a Rapidly Changing Society: Implications for Family Therapists

Intergenerational value transmission affects parent-child relationships and necessitates constant negotiation in families. Families with adolescents from rapidly changing societies face unique challenges in balancing the traditional collectivistic family values that promote harmony with emerging values that promote autonomy. Using modern Turkey as an example of such a culture, the authors examine the transmission process in families that hold more traditional and collectivistic values than their adolescent children. Special consideration is given to generational and cultural differences in the autonomy and relatedness dimensions.

Co-Constructing Courses with Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Graduate Students: Favoring Process over Content

The author describes one method by which to co-construct a course, or even a portion of a course, with family therapy graduate students. She integrates Fink’s (2003) taxonomy of adult learning with Weimer’s (2002) learner-centered course construction process. The author focuses on the process of learning, managing students’ interests, and choosing course content and order so as to align with students’ growth edges. She finishes with co-designing assignments and grading rubrics and a brief discussion of student learning objectives and faculty teaching goals.