J. Maria Bermúdez

Using a cross-cultural Perspective to Understand Infidelity in Couples Therapy

Abstract At some point in their practice, all marital therapists encounter a couple who have been orare being affected by infidelity. The literature on infidelity lacks an understanding of its impact from a cultural perspective. This article discusses the ways in which infidelity is viewed within the context of three ethnic minorities in the United States: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Asian Americans. The authors will provide an overview of infidelity according to religious traditions. Case studies for each ethnic group will be presented to explore clinical treatment of infidelityfrom an ethnically sensitive perspective.

Influences and Processes in Theoretical Orientation Development: A Grounded Theory Pilot Study

A grounded theory approach was used to establish a model of the influences and processes that are involved in the theoretical orientation development of licensed marriage and family therapists. The findings of the study indicate that the process involves an interaction between ten categories of influence subsumed under personal and the professional domains. While identifying the influences and their larger domains, the authors also explore how each of the categories is influential based on participant interviews. Implications for supervision, training, and professional development are discussed.

“I Am Not Going to Lose My Kids to the Streets” Meanings and Experiences of Motherhood Among Mexican-Origin Women

Motherhood has different meanings for women and there are a multitude of factors that shape experiences of parenting. Heuristic inquiry was used to examine the lived experiences of motherhood among 20 Mexican-origin women parenting alone. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted and data were organized and presented by six domains: (a) description of self as a mother, (b) perceptions of strengths, (c) perceptions of challenges, (d) influences as a parent, (e) meaning of motherhood, and (f) mothering as a woman of Mexican origin. Quotes were used to illustrate the six domains and a composite depiction to summarize our description and interpretation of the phenomenon of parenting alone as a Hispanic mother. Despite their challenges, participants described themselves as good mothers, who were protective, loving, and devoted to their children; they also described their culture as enriching their experiences of mothering although they faced obstacles due to marginalization and discrimination. A feminist-informed, intersectionality lens is used to discuss the findings.

Tapping Into the Complexity: Ambivalent Sexism, Dating, and Familial Beliefs Among Young Hispanics

Drawing on ambivalent sexism and Chicana feminist theories, the purpose of the study was to explore ambivalent sexism and traditional relational scripts among a regional sample of 141 Hispanic young adults. Data derived from self-report questionnaires indicated that men scored higher on hostile sexism and traditional relational scripts but not on benevolent sexism. Structural equation modeling with maximum likelihood procedure was applied and path analyses indicated that, for both men and women, higher endorsement of benevolent and hostile sexism predicted higher traditional dating scripts and family roles. Gender made a difference only in relation to hostile sexism on traditional dating scripts, with men having a stronger association than women. Women’s strongest path was between hostile sexism and family scripts. We discuss these nuanced gendered differences between dating and family relationships as well as stereotypical gendered and cultural notions of Hispanic values. Implications are considered.

Familias Fuertes: Family Resilience Among Latinos

Family life is vital to most Latinos. Family resilience thus is an important perspective for family scholars working with Latino families to adopt because of its focus on wellness and adaptability, in effect, punctuating the strengths common among Latino families. Toward the latter part of the twentieth century, conversations among family scientists and family therapists more and more included the concept of resilience. Researchers began examining family dynamics that provided a more accurate portrayal of family life, as well as in terms of providing professional support to families. Wolin and Wolin (1993) discussed both the “damage model” and the “challenge model” as they pertained to prevention and intervention, highlighting the significance of identifying and extracting the strengths families possess. Elevating aspects of strength and resilience is particularly important for working with families, who at first glance may be viewed as characterized mainly by needs and deficits, often an inaccurate and skewed portrayal. A strengths perspective views the glass as “half-full” rather than “half-empty.” This is significant because families may present themselves in clinical settings as primarily having deficits rather than as possessing strengths and assets and living everyday life where negative and positive elements intersect.

Redefining Conflict Resolution Styles for Latino Couples: Examining the Role of Gender and Culture

Research on conflict resolution is essential for working with couples in therapy, however, much of the literature informing this work is Eurocentric and culturally insensitive. The primary aim of the authors in this exploratory study was to present redefined, culturally informed subscales adapted for Latino couples. Conflict resolution styles were examined with 191 Latino couples residing in the United States. Five new conflict resolution styles were created from Gottmans Marital Conflict Scale and family therapy literature. Multiple analysis of variance were used for the analyses. Latina/o critical race theory informed this discussion specific to gender and culture, as well as clinical and research implications.

Mejor Sola Que Mal Acompañada: Strengths and Challenges of Mexican-Origin Mothers Parenting Alone

Marriage is often viewed as central to family stability and health, and problem-saturated discourses about single parenting have failed to address the advantages of parenting alone. Heuristic methodology was used to examine the meanings and experiences of Latinas parenting alone. This study reflects the lived experiences of 20 Mexican-origin women who participated in a 1- to 2-hour, in-depth, semistructured interview. Data are presented by three exemplary portraits and five core consistencies embedded in a composite depiction. Overall, although parenting alone was challenging, it was considered beneficial and preferable, especially when the childs fathers influence was problematic or detrimental to the familys well-being. Chicana feminism and an intersectionality lens is used to interpret findings. Implications for research and intervention are also discussed.

Intersecting Gender and Social Exchange Theory in Family Therapy

Abstract Social exchange theory (SET) provides a comprehensive description of how people interact within relationships, as well as how they make decisions outside of partnerships and groups. This theory, however, does not address how social structure and power processes influence this exchange. Specifically, it fails to recognize how gender shapes the way people behave within relationships. In this paper, we summarize the constructs and assumptions of SET, critique the theory and highlight areas of omission related to gender, and we address culture and other contextual issues that may affect the application of this theory. Finally, we provide a case example demonstrating how clinicians and researchers may consider gender issues in a social exchange process.

Kite in Flight

Abstract Adolescent girls are subjected to strong sociocultural forces as they shape and discover their sense of identity. We propose the therapeutic concerns of young women may be relieved by increased empowerment achieved through identity development and the strengthening of interpersonal boundaries. Feminist family therapy and Bowen family systems theory are integrated to offer a clinical approach toward greater empowerment through increased differentiation in the context of dating relationships. This approach applies a developmental perspective to the unique challenges faced by young women in Western society. The metaphor of a “Kite in Flight” is offered to help therapists conceptualize the elements of the model and goals for treatment. Case examples and interventions are provided, as well as the model application for Specific clinical considerations. doi:10.1300/J086vl9n04_01

Interviewing a Therapist in the Presence of a Couple: A Description of the Therapeutic Process

A therapy research team interviewed a therapist in the presence of a couple. Following each of six consecutive sessions with a couple, an interviewer posed questions to the therapist and couple. While one question was standard to each interview, other questions were generated by team members who tracked the entire process via live observation. These questions were directed first at the therapist, then at the couple, and then focused on therapeutic process and outcome. Findings of this process for the therapy system included decreasing the hierarchy within the client/therapist relationship; increasing the client ownership and energy in the therapy process; discovering the presence of parallel processes between the systems; and informing the direction of future therapy sessions. Practical, clinical implications are discussed for a variety of therapy settings.