Christine E. Murray

Empirical Research About Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence: A Methodological Review

This article presents a systematic review of empirical research examining intimate partner violence among same-sex couples. Seventeen studies that met the inclusion criteria were rated using a 15-item evaluation questionnaire. The results indicated that the existing body of research examining same-sex intimate partner violence demonstrates some common methodological strengths and limitations. The authors conclude with a list of recommendations for future research based on the results of this study.

Methodological Review of Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Research

The authors present a methodological review of empirical program evaluation research in the area of intimate partner violence prevention. The authors adapted and utilized criterion-based rating forms to standardize the evaluation of the methodological strengths and weaknesses of each study. The findings indicate that the limited amount of empirical research related to intimate partner violence prevention demonstrates some consistent methodological strengths and limitations. The authors conclude with a presentation of recommendations for further research in the area of intimate partner violence prevention.

Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence: Dynamics, Social Context, and Counseling Implications

ABSTRACT This article presents a review of literature describing intimate partner violence (IPV) in same-sex relationships. The authors present definitions and the prevalence of the main forms of violence-physical, sexual, and emotional-that can occur within same-sex intimate partner relationships, an overview of the existing research that examines the dynamics and broader social context of same-sex IPV, and implications for counseling affected individuals.

Differentiation of Self, Perceived Stress, and Symptom Severity Among Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome

This article presents an empirical examination of the usefulness of Bowen family systems theory as a framework for understanding fibromyalgia syndrome. This cross-sectional Internet-based survey included 201 participants diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome. Results indicated that more severe symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome are significantly correlated with higher levels of perceived stress, lower levels of differentiation of self, and higher levels of emotional cutoff. In addition, indicators of differentiation of self (i.e., emotional cutoff and emotional reactivity) were found to moderate the relationship between perceived stress and symptom severity, although these indicators did not account for large proportions of the observed variances in symptom severity. Implications for Bowen family systems theory and clinical practice and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Controversy, Constraints, and Context: Understanding Family Violence Through Family Systems Theory

This article discusses the controversies surrounding the use of family systems theory as a framework for understanding family violence. The author examines potential implications for the exclusion of family systems approaches in the research and treatment of family violence. In addition, the author describes several opportunities that may arise through the application of family systems theory to family violence for theory, practice, and research.

Strengths, Challenges, and Relational Processes in Families of Children With Congenital Upper Limb Differences

Congenital upper limb differences are physical health conditions in which an individual is born with abnormalities of the upper limbs (i.e., arms, hands, and/or fingers). This article presents a qualitative study about the unique strengths, challenges, and relationship processes in families of children with congenital upper limb differences. Four in-depth focus groups were conducted with parents of children with congenital upper limb differences. Content analysis procedures were used to analyze the data. The results indicated the following: (a) The strengths and resources of these families included a belief in the human universality of differences, connections with similar families, reliance on a strong social support network, and humor; (b) the challenges the families faced included managing grief-related emotions, making medical decisions, and promoting the child‘s development; and (c) family relationships were affected through the parents‘ expression of emotion, opportunities for closeness, and relationships with other family members, such as extended family and siblings.

The Pleasures and Perils of Technology in Intimate Relationships

Technologies have rapidly become pervasive parts of peoples lives and relationships. Within intimate couple relationships, partners may use technologies for many functions, including communicating, sharing affection, planning, and learning about one another. There is growing recognition that these functions can create both positive and negative outcomes for couples. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth examination of the potential positive and negative impacts of technology for intimate couple relationships. Data from an electronic survey of 225 undergraduate and graduate university students were subject to content analysis procedures to identify themes in participants’ perspectives toward the impact of technology on their relationships—both beneficial and deleterious. The counseling and research implications of the identified themes are addressed.

Domestic Violence Service Providers’ Perceptions of Safety Planning: a Focus Group Study

Although safety planning is a widespread practice with clients impacted by domestic violence, the research on it is limited. In this article, we present a review of existing literature describing practices and research in order to understand the gaps in the field’s current understanding of safety planning practices. Next, we describe the methodology, findings, and implications of a focus group study that aimed to identify domestic violence service providers’ perspectives toward safety planning. The major themes discussed include safety risks for domestic violence victims; safety planning within the community context; and agency policies, procedures, and forms related to safety planning.

Prevention Work: A Professional Responsibility for Marriage and Family Counselors

Although ethical codes encourage marriage and family counselors to undertake prevention work, many practitioners do not include prevention within the scope of their practice. Prevention work includes a number of professional functions that address multiple family issues. Within a developmental framework, marriage and family counselors can bring a unique set of skills and experience to preventive work, and a family systems theoretical orientation helps to inform the practice of preventive efforts designed to enhance familial relationships. Marriage and family counselors can be involved in the practice, theory development, and research of prevention work. Effective prevention work by marriage and family counselors incorporates a consideration of barriers to effective prevention work, professional collaboration, and ethical considerations.

Stigma from professional helpers toward survivors of intimate partner violence

The authors explored experiences of stigma from professional helpers toward survivors of intimate partner violence in two related studies with a combined sample of 231 participants. Qualitative interview and quantitative survey data were analyzed with content analysis procedures using an a priori coding strategy. Results suggest that survivors felt stigmatized by mental health professionals, attorneys and judges, health care professionals, law enforcement, professionals in the employment or education systems, parenting-related professionals, as well as friends and family. The most frequently occurring stigma categories were feeling dismissed, denied, and blamed. Participants cited the most common sources of stigma occurred from interactions with professionals in the court system and law enforcement officers. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.