Matthew D. Brown

Experiences of Latino Couples in Relationship Education: A Critical Analysis

There exists a need to better understand the applicability of Marriage and Relationship Education (MRE) initiatives with diverse populations. This study presents findings from focus groups with Latino men and women (N = 16) who participated in MRE classes. A critical theory approach guided the researchers who used grounded theory methodology to analyze the group transcripts. From the participant’s words, two types of meaning categories were generated. The first category, “Cultural Values,” included shared values or cultural influences that were identified as relevant to how participants experienced the MRE course. These included values such as familismo or cultural obligation. The second category was “group benefits,” which included concepts that described ways that the MRE experience was helpful to the participants (e.g., emotional awareness and motivation for change). These categories and concepts are presented in a model depicting the cultural values as an overlay through which the group benefits were filtered. The model offers implications for class content (e.g., relevant portions of the curriculum) and process (e.g., the importance of offering the courses in Spanish). Other implications for research and practice are given.

Economic Costs and Policy Implications Associated With Divorce: Texas as a Case Study

Although many adults and children are resilient after divorce, it is common for marital breakups to precipitate the need for government assistance for families who had been self-sufficient. This study focuses on the economic costs of divorce associated with means-tested welfare programs in Texas, which fall into five central areas: medical assistance; cash assistance; food assistance; housing, energy, and utility assistance; and child care and development assistance. The study estimated that Texas spends at least

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Perceived Relationship Safety as Predictors of Dyadic Adjustment: A Test of Mediation and Moderation

3.18 billion on divorce and its related consequences each year, accounting for approximately 12% of the total Texas budget in 2008. These results reinforce the notion that family actions often have public consequences. Policy implications related to services aimed at strengthening healthy marriage and decreasing “preventable” divorce via reconciliation services are offered.

Perceptions of Safety in Intimate Relationships: Group Differences Based on Gender and Setting

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive value of PTSD symptoms and perceived relationship safety on dyadic adjustment. Participants included 390 individuals who were in a committed romantic relationship. Data were gathered from two populations; clients of a university-based family therapy clinic (n = 132), and community respondents to an announcement on a large universitys electronic bulletin board (n = 258). Structural equation modeling was used to test a model of mediation, as well as multiple group analysis to test for moderation by setting (clinical vs. community) and gender. Results indicated that perceived relationship safety fully mediated the relationship between PTSD symptoms and dyadic adjustment. Gender moderated the relationships in the model, but no differences were found between the clinical and community samples. Findings suggest the importance of addressing experiences of safety and security in relationships, as these may be of particular importance for those who have experienced trauma.

The Relationship Between Family-of-Origin Experience and Current Family Violence: A Test of Mediation by Attachment Style and Mental Health Symptom Distress

Intimate partner violence continues to be prevalent, resulting in negative consequences for the individuals involved and for society as a whole. Perceptions of safety in relationships where intimate partner violence is present is an understudied topic in the literature. The Safety Assessment of Future Events Scale (SAFE) was developed to assess respondents’ perceptions of safety in their intimate relationship. The purpose of this study was to examine whether group differences existed on respondents’ SAFE scores. 428 participants from community and clinic samples completed the SAFE and other measures contained in a southwest university’s marriage and family therapy clinic intake packet. ANCOVA was used to control for gender and setting in determining if group differences existed on the SAFE based on measures assessing interpersonal violence, relational adjustment, intrapersonal symptoms, and PTSD symptoms. Results indicated group differences based on gender, interpersonal violence victimization, and relational adjustment.

Perceptions of Personal Safety Among Lower-Income Relationship Education Participants: A Grounded Theory Study

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the presence of substance abuse, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and mental illness in the home or family-of-origin is predictive of variance in current family violence perpetration. Additionally, a secondary purpose of this study was to examine whether mental health symptom distress and attachment style mediated the relationship between the presence of traumatic experiences in ones family-of-origin and current family violence perpetration. The results suggested that difficult family-of-origin experiences may predict variance in current family violence indirectly through mental health symptom distress and anxious attachment.

Microaggressions and Islamophobia: Experiences of Muslims Across the United States and Clinical Implications

ABSTRACT The federal government has fiscally supported relationship education (RE) for lower-income citizens. However, concerns exist that this particular population may be at increased risk for intimate partner violence (IPV), and some are concerned that government endorsement of RE could encourage women to stay in unsafe and violent relationships. Research examining the relationship between RE and IPV is limited. Using grounded theory, the researchers sought to answer the question: How does participation in RE impact participants’ perceptions of safety in their intimate relationships? Researchers developed a theoretical model suggesting that through the course of RE, participants are exposed to both curriculum and group processes that help increase their awareness of themselves, their partner, and their relational processes, which contributes to increased feelings of connection and general safety within the relationship.

Counting the Economic Costs and Policy Implications Associated With Divorce: Texas as a Case Study

This mixed methods exploratory study illustrates the influence of pervasive misconceptions about Islam on the experiences of 314 adult Muslims across the United States. Quantitative results suggest that Muslim stress levels are comparable to the stress levels of other marginalized groups in the United States. Qualitative analysis revealed four themes that highlight the challenges faced by Muslims as well as their resiliency in the face of microaggressions and marginalization. Family therapists may utilize these personal accounts to expand their understanding of Muslim experiences, and to reflect on their own implicit biases toward Muslims in order to reduce chances of premature termination. Clinical implications include using resiliency-based models and creating collaborative partnerships with community leaders when working with this religious minority group.

Economic Costs and Policy Implications Associated With Divorce

Although many adults and children are resilient after divorce, it is common for marital breakups to precipitate the need for government assistance for families who had been self-sufficient. This study focuses on the economic costs of divorce associated with means-tested welfare programs in Texas, which fall into five central areas: medical assistance; cash assistance; food assistance; housing, energy, and utility assistance; and child care and development assistance. The study estimated that Texas spends at least

The Relationship between Physical Health Problems and Couple Violence and Conflict in Survivors of the 2004 Tsunami: Mediation by Marital Satisfaction

3.18 billion on divorce and its related consequences each year, accounting for approximately 12% of the total Texas budget in 2008. These results reinforce the notion that family actions often have public consequences. Policy implications related to services aimed at strengthening healthy marriage and decreasing “preventable” divorce via reconciliation services are offered.