Bernard A. O'Brien

Psychological intimacy in the lasting relationships of heterosexual and same-gender couples.

This research focused on the meaning of psychological intimacy to partners in heterosexual and same-gender relationships that have lasted for an average of 30 years. In-depth interviews were used to explore the meaning of intimacy to 216 partners in 108 relationships. The participants were whites, blacks, and Mexican-Americans, with Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant religious backgrounds; they were employed in both blue- and white collar occupations.Psychological intimacy was defined as the sense that one could be open and honest in talking with a partner about personal thoughts and feelings not usually expressed in other relationships. Factors that had a significant role in shaping the quality of psychological intimacy in the last 5 to 10 years of these relationships (recent years) were the absence of major conflict, a confrontive conflict management style between partners, a sense of fairness about the relationship, and the expression of physical affection between partners. Women in same-gender relationships, compared to their heterosexual and gay counterparts, were more likely to report that psychologically intimate communication characterized their relationships. The findings are important for understanding factors that contribute to psychological intimacy in long-term relationships and how the gender roles of partners may shape the quality of psychological intimacy in heterosexual and same-gender relationships.

Relational factors in understanding satisfaction in the lasting relationships of same sex and heterosexual couples.

ABSTRACT Satisfying relationships are important to the well-being of individuals and families. Because of increased longevity, many couples are staying together for extended periods of time. Thus, it is valuable to understand the factors that contribute to a sense of satisfaction among partners in lasting relationships. Relatively little attention has been paid in the research literature to relationships among older couples who have remained together for many years. Even less attention has been paid to the lasting relationships of couples of color and to gay male and lesbian couples. This paper focuses on understanding the factors that contribute to satisfaction of partners in the long-term relationships of a purposive sample of heterosexual and same-sex couples. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 216 partners in 108 relationships that had lasted an average of 30 years. Using logistic regression analysis, two factors were identified as predictive of satisfaction during the recent years of these relationships: containment of relational conflict and psychologically intimate communication between partners. Based on these findings, a theoretical model for understanding satisfaction in lasting relationships is discussed.

Lasting Marriages: Men and Women Growing Together

Prologue Acknowledgments Looking Back: Initial Attraction Relationship Conflict Intimacy Decision-Making Parenting Marital Satisfaction Appendix A: Characteristics of Respondents Appendix B: Methodology Appendix C: Interview Guide Appendix D: Code Sheet Bibliography Index

Adaptation in Lasting Marriages

This paper is based on research that explored how 120 spouses from a sample of 60 white, African American, and Mexican American marriages adapted over the life span of their relationships which included the early years prior to children, the child-rearing years, and the empty-nest years. Important dimensions of these relationships — conflict and its management, sexuality, intimacy, decision-making and satisfaction — were explored in semi-structured interviews with each spouse. Understanding how spouses adapt over the life span of their relationships has important implications for prevention programs and for practice.

The Significance of Religion in Lasting Marriages

ABSTRACT The significance of religion in marriage has been studied in different ways. The research on which this paper is based used in-depth interviews to explore the significance of religion to a culturally diverse sample of husbands and wives who had been married to each other for over 20 years (M = 35.25, SD = 8.25). We asked individual spouses to discuss the importance to unimportance of religion in their marriages and the role that it may have played in their relationships. Both quantitative and qualitative procedures were used. An analysis of demographic and relational factors that may have shaped the importance of religion in recent years is presented. A second level of analysis was then employed to identify themes about the significance of religion in these marriages from the perspectives of each spouse. Three themes were identified: mixed to no significance of religion on marriage, religion as supportive and emerging spirituality.

Gay and Lesbian Couples: Voices from Lasting Relationships

Prologue Introduction Roles Relational Fit Decision Making Conflict Intimacy Social Supports Relationships Are Relationships Appendices Bibliography Index

The Small Group Oral Examination as an Educational Tool.

Abstract The authors discuss the results of a two-year follow-up study of students who had been enrolled in a course on social work with groups in which the only mechanism for evaluation of learning was a small group oral examination. The findings suggest that the mechanism was an effective educational tool. It tapped a natural resource for learning, was responsive to the self-image of the graduate student, and promoted the integration of theory with practice.