Ryan G. Carlson

Continuum of Conflict and Control: A Conceptualization of Intimate Partner Violence Typologies

Typologies of intimate partner violence were developed to describe the heterogeneity of abusive men. They contrast with the traditional feminist ideology of abuser etiology that holds all violence is the result of power and control. Over the past 15 years, a large body of knowledge about typologies has amassed, mostly in sociology journals. Thus, very little typology research has been published in counseling journals. This article synthesizes empirically based typological research and introduces the continuum of conflict and control—a conceptual training model to help couples counselors understand the differences among violence within relationships.

Examining Passive and Active Recruitment Methods for Low-Income Couples in Relationship Education

One of the most difficult aspects of studying low-income couples is the effective implementation of recruitment and retention strategies. Low-income couples face environmental stressors that make participation difficult, and research has yet to identify efficacious methods of recruiting and retaining low-income couples into funded studies. Researchers and practitioners targeting low-income participants rely on a “learn-as-they-go” approach. Therefore, we examined passive and active recruitment strategies for 394 married participants with children under age 18 and reporting a total household income within 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines who participated in a federally funded couples and relationship education program. Univariate ANOVAs indicated significant differences between recruitment method and total time spent in couples and relationship education workshops for both women and men. Further, results indicated a relationship exists between recruitment method and the number of follow-up contacts required before participants attended the initial intake appointment. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Systemic–Developmental Supervision: Clinical Supervisory Approach for Family Counseling Student Interns

Supervision models for marriage and family counseling student interns primarily focus on the use of traditional systemic techniques. In addition, a supervisee’s level of development may not be considered when utilizing systemic tools. Furthermore, the supervisory relationship has been identified as a significant indicator of quality supervision, including characteristics such as warmth, empathy, and a nonjudgmental perspective from the supervisor. This article presents systemic–developmental supervision (SDS) to promote supervisees’ professional growth through self-awareness and skills acquisition. As such, a focus on the supervisory relationship through integration of two developmental models of supervision and systemic supervision techniques is discussed, along with the practical applications of SDS, strengths, limitations, and recommendations for future research.

Examining Relationship Satisfaction and Individual Distress for Low-to-Moderate Income Couples in Relationship Education

Although economic disadvantage is linked to poor relationship quality and increased individual distress, emerging literature supports couples and relationship education as effective at improving relationship quality for low-income couples. However, relationship education’s influence on individual distress for low-income couples has not yet been determined. We provided relationship education using the Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program curriculum to 96 low-to-moderate income married couples with children and examined changes in relationship quality and individual distress pre, post, and 3–6 months after intervention. We found significant improvements in relationship satisfaction and significant individual distress decreases. Implications are discussed.

The Marital Experiences of Couples Who Include a Child With Autism

We used a phenomenological qualitative approach to collect and analyze data from 10 married couples, who had a child with autism to investigate their perceptions of marital quality and to explore the factors that contribute to marital longevity. We investigated how participants described and interpreted their experience by using pattern coding to analyze the data. Several themes emerged from the data and indicated, in general, that having a child with autism has broad effects on relationship experiences, including some partners feeling more bonded over the care of their child. We discuss implications for clinicians, limitations, and potential future directions for additional research.

An Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Protocol Readiness Model

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread, pervasive issue that affects heterosexual and same-sex relationships. However, IPV is largely underreported, and many counselors do not formally assess for relationship violence. Additionally, counselors typically do not have a plan to manage disclosures of violence when they occur. We present an IPV Protocol Readiness Model that helps counselors determine their readiness to assess for IPV as well as manage disclosures. Additionally, we present a questionnaire intended to provide guidance for counselors regarding organizational and community factors important to the success of an IPV protocol. Finally, we discuss practical applications and suggestions for further research.

Family Adjustment Measure Scale Construction and Validation

We administered the Family Adjustment Measure to 368 parents of children with special needs to identify positive adjustment. We randomly split the sample to conduct exploratory factor analysis (n = 194) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 174). Results indicated four possible subscales and that explain 51% of the variance.

Examining Parental Alliance for Low-Income Participants Who Attended Relationship Education With or Without a Partner

Couples and relationship education (CRE) programs indicate positive results for low-income couples who attend. However, most studies examined relationship satisfaction or communication patterns, with few addressing the influence of CRE on parental alliance and even fewer examining parental alliances for those who attend couples-level and individual-level programs. Thus, we examined changes in parental alliance for participants who attended CRE individually (n = 182) and with their partner (n = 190). Participants who attended couples level CRE with a partner reported significant parental alliance improvements at post-assessments, while those who attended individual level CRE independently did not.

A Comparison of Cohabiting and Noncohabiting Couples Who Participated in Premarital Counseling Using the PREPARE Model

Premarital counseling is a preventive tool against future marital discord. Research targeting premarital counseling interventions typically examined the effects of the intervention on later marital unions, as well as risk factors associated with cohabiting. This study evaluated differences among 120 premarital counseling participants using the PREPARE model. However, not all participants completed treatment. Therefore, we examined differences in preintervention levels of relationship satisfaction, as measured by the Marital Adjustment Test and individual distress, as measured by the Outcomes Questionnaire 45.2 between participants that completed premarital counseling (n = 46) versus those that did not (n = 74). Participants who completed attended an average of eight sessions. Additionally, for the 46 men (n = 23) and women (n = 23) who completed premarital counseling, changes in relationship satisfaction and individual distress were examined along with differences between those who were cohabiting (n = 28; 14 men and 14 women) and noncohabiting (n = 18; 9 men and 9 women). The authors found statistically significant improvements in relationship satisfaction for men and women who completed premarital counseling and statistically significant improvements in individual distress for men upon completion of treatment. The authors also found statistically significant differences in relationship satisfaction for men and women between those who completed and those who did not complete the premarital counseling treatment. Implications for couples counselors, as well as recommendations for future research, are discussed.

Investigating the Influence of Relationship Education on Parental Attitudes

Economically strained couples experience a multitude of chronic stressors and are at greater risk for lower quality relationships with their children. Relationship education (RE) programs indicate positive results for economically strained couples who attend. However, most studies examine relationship satisfaction or communication patterns with few addressing the influence of RE on parental attitudes. Therefore, we examined changes in parental attitudes for couples (n = 70) and compared differences in parental attitudes as measured by the empathy and family roles subscales of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2 at pre- and post-assessment. Results partially supported the hypothesis becasue participants indicated no significant differences between pre- and post-scores on empathy; however, participants did indicate significant differences between pre- and post-scores on family roles. Implications of results and discussion are provided.