Kay Bradford

Marital virtues and their relationship to individual functioning, communication, and relationship adjustment

Extant research has documented both individual well-being and couple communication as important predictors of marital adjustment. In the recent years, researchers have looked beyond problem-based predictors, shifting the focus from pathology and communication to include positive actions and ways of being. This study used Fowers’ [(2005) Virtue and psychology: Pursuing excellence in ordinary practices. Washington, DC: APA Press] framework of virtue ethics to test additional potentially important linkages. This framework posits that characteristics, such as compassion and generosity, which are foundational to relationship adjustment. This study examined the direct and indirect links among individual functioning, marital virtues, communication, and marital adjustment. Data were collected from a sample of 422 married and cohabitating individuals using a self-report survey. Individual well-being significantly and consistently predicted virtues, communication, and relationship functioning. Marital virtues and communication were found to mediate the relationship between individual well-being and relationship adjustment. In addition, communication was found to mediate the relationship between marital virtues and relationship adjustment. Findings provide support for the notion that character strengths – enacted as marital virtues – influence communication and relationship adjustment.

Assessing Readiness for Couple Therapy: The Stages of Relationship Change Questionnaire

Client readiness for change is garnering increased interest both conceptually and methodologically. This article describes the reliability, validity, and utility of a measure of readiness for couple relationship change, Schneiders (2003) Stages of Relationship Change Questionnaire (SRCQ). Based on the Transtheoretical Model of Change, the instrument measures change along nine domains of marital functioning. Results indicate that this one-factor instrument may reliably measure readiness for change and discriminate between various stages of change. Most in this sample (n = 406) were in early stages of change, with men more often in the stage of precontemplation and women more often in contemplation. The SRCQ can be completed and scored in under 10 min. Clinical use and research implications are discussed.

Supporting Families Dealing with Autism and Asperger's Disorders

This article was downloaded by: [Utah State University]On: 27 September 2010Access details: Access Details: [subscription number 918295146]Publisher RoutledgeInforma Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

Developing a Domestic Violence Protocol for Marriage Education: Critical Components and Cautions

It is important for professionals involved in marriage education initiatives to address domestic violence. One way to do this is to create and use a violence protocol. This article discusses why this is important and reviews lessons learned from the development of a protocol in one federally funded marriage education initiative. Recommended components for violence protocols are reviewed, including mechanisms to encourage safety in disclosure and referral, sensitivity to culture, and understanding the scope and impact of domestic violence. The importance of collaboration with and adaptation to each community is discussed, and suggestions for educators, clinicians, and researchers are provided.

Intimate Partner Violence in a Statewide Couple and Relationship Education Initiative

As couple and relationship education (CRE) has become an increasingly common intervention, issues surrounding the awareness, prevention, and treatment of violence have been raised. Concerns include the level of risk among participants, appropriate training for educators, and the extent to which CRE increases or mitigates risks for intimate partner violence (IPV). This study reports the level of risk among CRE participants and explores the associated experiences of county Cooperative Extension agents who served as the CRE educators in Utah. The educators presumed those interested in CRE would not be experiencing IPV. However, 10% of CRE participants indicated moderate-to-severe risk, and an additional 29% indicated likelihood of at least mild violence. Implications include the need for CRE initiatives to (a) take the possibility of IPV seriously, (b) train educators to identify and handle diverse types of IPV, and (c) monitor the implementation of IPV protocols.

Brief Education About Autism Spectrum Disorders for Family Therapists

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is on the rise, and family therapists are increasingly likely to encounter clients who have some form of this disorder. There is emerging evidence that professionals, including family therapists, may misdiagnose the condition or that proper diagnosis and treatment may be delayed. Thus, professional education about ASDs is important. In addition to the effects on the diagnosed individual, ASDs have significant impact on the family system. Family-centered interventions constitute a crucial piece of a multifaceted treatment plan, and there is a call for family-centered intervention and support services. To support family therapists in becoming more informed and effective members of treatment teams, this article provides an overview of Aspergers disorder and autism, with a focus on definitions, assessment, and individual treatments of ASDs. Ways in which ASDs have impact on the family are then identified, and specific issues relevant to family treatment are discussed.

Healthy Relationship Education: A Statewide Initiative Case Study and Outcome Evaluation

Couple and relationship education (CRE) is effective in improving relationship quality and communication skills. However, its methods and structures of delivery (e.g., content, intensity, and settings) vary widely and have lacked empirical scrutiny. This article examines both the structure (i.e., initiative inputs and outputs) and the outcomes of one healthy relationship initiative. First, we use the comprehensive framework for CRE proposed previously to examine ways in which relationship education may be delivered by way of a statewide initiative in which 19 Cooperative Extension County Faculty provided education. Second, we analyze and report outcome data from 2,219 participants. A variety of CRE delivery methods significantly increased perceived levels of relationship knowledge regardless of gender, income, marital status, and whether participants had previous relationship education. Perceived knowledge acquisition differed by participant ethnicity, participant satisfaction with the education, and by CRE format such as single events versus multiple events. Programmatic implications are discussed.

Screening Couples for Intimate Partner Violence

This article’s goals are to (a) sensitize couple and family therapists to the problem of intimate partner violence (IPV), (b) help therapists screen couples for violence, and (c) discuss some key considerations when there is abuse or risk of abuse. Although this article focuses on male-to-female violence because it is more prevalent and harmful, there is also female-to-male violence and violence in same-sex couples. IPV encompasses any intimate relationship and it occurs among all age groups, ethnicities, denominations, and socioeconomic groups. The use of survey questionnaires may be the most effective way to detect the presence of IPV. Detection of IPV is more likely when interviews are done separately and when direct and specific questions are asked. If there is violence present, steps must be taken to ensure safety. Treatment should be selected carefully to ensure best outcomes. A written nonviolence contract can be helpful that includes proactive components to help prevent violence and consequences if limits are breached. There are programs of domestic violence–focused couples’ treatment that are being developed. Screening all couples for violence is important because of the prevalence of IPV. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)

Mobile Phone Use in Romantic Relationships

ABSTRACT There is a growing body of research regarding the role of mobile phones in romantic couple communication processes. The purpose of this review is to highlight the state of the literature in this area in terms of positive and negative aspects of the constant contact afforded by mobile phones. We use symbolic interactionism to discuss ways in which mobile phones provide a vehicle of symbol-creating interaction when actors attach and glean meanings from interactions via mobile phones. Text and phone conversations tend to be stripped of many cues often used to decipher meaning in face-to-face interactions. Thus, symbolically, meaning derived from mobile phone use may consist of more than the recordable contents of the conversations. Implications for research are discussed.

Relationship Help-Seeking: A Review of the Efficacy and Reach

ABSTRACT Formal and informal relationship help-seeking is becoming increasingly common. This article discusses seven forms of relationship help-seeking: couple therapy, couple relationship education, self-help books, internet resources, other media sources, talking with clergy, and talking with friends and family. The purpose of this literature review is to organize the relationship help-seeking research, bring to light some of the less accessible research, and offer recommendations to researchers and practitioners regarding the efficacy and reach of relationship help-seeking. In addition, differences in relationship help-seeking based on gender are explored and current relationship help-seeking trends are discussed.