Ruoxi Chen

Chinese and American Individuals’ Mate Selection Criteria Updates, Modifications, and Extensions

In this study, we compared Chinese and American never-married heterosexual adults’ minimum mate selection criteria (N = 1,260) and write-in responses on additional criteria important in mate selection (N = 756). Participants’ mean age was 25.55 years (SD = 4.44), and data were collected in 2013. Having analyzed quantitative and qualitative data both separately and corroboratively, we discuss Chinese and American individuals’ cultural emphases and unique expressions regarding the relative prioritization of mate selection criteria and additional mate selection criteria typically not included in mate selection studies. We also compare our findings with the results of previous mate selection studies, highlighting possible developments in Chinese and American individuals’ mate selection criteria, and suggest potential modifications and extensions of existing survey items to more comprehensively capture individuals’ mate selection criteria, particularly in different cultural contexts.

Cross-National Research in Family Therapy: One Encouraging Collaborative Approach

In this article we share the structure and process of an ongoing cross-national family therapy research study that involves samples from 7 countries (Colombia, India, Iran, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States, and 2 regions of China, mainland China and Taiwan). Various features of the study may serve as useful templates for others interested in collaborative cross-national research. Each of the 6 authors of this article at Virginia Tech have contributed 10 questions related to an area of their own particular family therapy research interest, and they will be the first authors on any brief research reports written on the topics of those 10 questions. Because all 6 Virginia Tech researchers have been part of the conceptualization, planning, and implementation of this study, all 6 also will be co-authors on each others research reports. The authors include Filipino and Indonesian collaborators in the publication process, as well. This article reports on the structure and process of ongoing research and the lessons learned thus far.

The Effect of External Influences on Mate Selection Necessity Traits: Cross-Cultural Comparisons of Chinese and American Men and Women

ABSTRACT In the current study we conducted hierarchical regression analyses to examine the extent to which influences from parents, peers, and the media explained participants’ perceptions of their possible mates’ criteria and their own criteria for age, attractiveness, social status, and wealth in choosing a spouse. Participants included 333 Chinese individuals and 339 Americans. We found that the three external influences accounted for a significant amount of the variation in the perceptions of and the criteria for the four mate selection necessity traits. In particular, media influence was the most significant and consistent external influence predictor. We discussed the cultural and gender differences observed in this study and how our findings might fit into the existing mate selection literature.

The use of Theory in Family Therapy Research: Content Analysis and Update.

In this study, we evaluated 275 empirical studies from Journal of Marital and Family Therapy and Family Process from 2010 to 2015 on their use of theory, and compared our findings to those of a similar previous analysis (Hawley & Geske, 2000). Overall, theory seems to have become much better incorporated in empirical family therapy research, with only 16.4% of the articles not using theory in either their introductory or discussion sections. Theory appeared better incorporated in the introductory sections than in the discussion sections. Systems theory remained the most commonly used conceptual framework, followed by attachment theory. We discuss areas for improving theory incorporation in family therapy research, and offer suggestions for both family therapy researchers and educators.

Couple and Family Therapists’ Perceptions of Women’s Depression and Preferred Treatment Modalities: A Cross-National Exploration

The present exploratory study is an initial effort to understand marriage and family therapists’ perceptions regarding women’s depression and preferred treatments in the United States and six other countries—China, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Iran, and the Philippines. With this aim, an online survey was completed by 87 U.S. therapists and 79 non-U.S. therapists. We analyzed the data through multiple t-tests for independent samples. Statistical comparisons of the responses indicated (a) U.S. therapists perceived it was more acceptable for women to talk about feeling depressed than non-U.S. therapists, (b) non-U.S. therapists perceived it was more frequent for women to present with somatic symptoms when depressed than U.S. therapists, (c) non-U.S. therapists reported using individual treatment for women’s depression more frequently than U.S. therapists, (d) U.S. therapists reported using couple or family therapy to treat women’s depression more frequently than non-U.S. therapists, and (e) U.S. therapists perceived husbands and male partners were open to participate in women’s therapy for depression more frequently than non-U.S. therapists. We discuss the clinical and research implications of our findings.

A cross-national study of therapists' perceptions and experiences of premature dropout from therapy

ABSTRACT In this preliminary report, we explore therapists’ perceptions and experiences of dropout. In total, 199 therapists from the United States, Colombia, India, Iran, Indonesia, Philippines, and China completed an online survey (translated into their native language) on dropout from therapy that included both quantitative and qualitative questions. The findings suggest cultural differences in factors related to dropout between therapists in the United States and therapists in the other six more collectivistic countries. Participants also shared their experiences and perspectives concerning encouraging treatment engagement and re-engaging dropouts. We discuss the clinical implications of our findings for different cultural contexts.