Are you a Member?

The AAMFT Annual Conference
 Marriage: Relational and Societal Perspectives
 Atlanta, GA 
September 23 - 26, 2010
 

Friday, September 24, 2010

Research Poster Session
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The research poster session is an opportunity to view and discuss the latest work in the marriage and family therapy field and develop meaningful contacts. Poster authors will be available to discuss their research and answer questions.

Addictions/Substance Abuse

1. Predictors of Adolescent Substance Use
Andrea S. Meyer
Ann K. Mullis
Lenore M. McWey
Ming Cui

Adolescent substance use negatively impacts youth, families, and the larger community. Using a national data set, this study explored the effects of child, caregiver, and maltreatment variables on adolescent substance use. The quality of adolescent-caregiver relationship was proposed as a protective factor. Implications for family therapists working in the child welfare system or substance abuse treatment will be provided.

2. Qualitative Analysis of Successful Drug Court Case Progress
Rosalind M. Graham
Carol Marsh
Ronald J. Chenail

The researchers employed a descriptive qualitative method to evaluate how progress was documented in nine successful drug court cases seen by family therapist trainees in a new program initiated at their university-based clinic. Employment stability, improved family relations, and improved support networks were identified as patterns in those cases in which clients completed the court-mandated number of sessions.

3. Relational Components of Women’s Recovery in Aftercare
Sara E. Blakeslee
Jason B. Whiting
George W. Bitar

Recent changes in political policy have shifted the profile of the average inmate incarcerated in American prisons. This poster will present research specifying the need for relational recovery for women who are transitioning out of the criminal justice system. As clinicians who are working in the criminal justice field with a systemic lens, it is imperative that MFTs be aware of the implications of the relational aspects of the process of women’s recovery.

Adoption/Foster Care

4. Maintaining Parent-Child Ties, Mental Health and Foster Care
Lenore M. McWey
Breanne Porter

This study examined depression and externalizing problems of children in foster care using a nationally representative sample (N = 362). Findings indicate that more frequent contact between children in foster care and their biological mothers is marginally associated with lower levels depression and significantly associated with lower externalizing behavior problems even after controlling for gender and exposure to violence.

Aging

5. Predictors of Sexual Satisfaction in Older Couples
Victoria Scott
Jonathan Sandberg

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that contribute to sexual satisfaction for older couples. Results show that couple communication (affective and problem solving) is a strong predictor of sexual satisfaction for older men in long term marriages, even when controlling for depression and hardiness. For older women, both depression and communication were significantly related to sexual satisfaction.

Assessment/Diagnosis

6. Assessing Trauma When Pornography Enters the Marriage
Michael Olsen
Kevin B. Skinner

What happens to women when they discover their partner’s hidden involvement in pornography? This poster will introduce a new assessment tool (PTSD-STA) designed to assess traumatic responses when pornography is discovered in the marriage. Reliability analysis and results from the study will be shared. Sample tests will be distributed.

7. Marital Therapy Evaluation Questionnaire (MTEQ) Project
Ching-Ching Ruan
Stephen A. Anderson

This poster details a research study supporting a theoretically derived, clinically relevant, and empirically supported assessment tool for examining the effectiveness of couple therapy. The usefulness of the Marital Therapy Evaluation Questionnaire (MTEQ) will be presented with information on how therapists can utilize this relatively brief and easy to administer post-therapy assessment measure.

Career Options

8. Ethical Challenges & Clinical Advantages of MFTs in Schools
Amber Vennum

Although MFTs are not considered qualified school mental health providers in most states, MFTs are being hired to meet the overwhelming demand for mental health services in schools. This poster reviews the results of a qualitative study exploring the ethical challenges and therapeutic advantages of working in public schools as a Marriage and Family Therapist.

Children/Adolescents

9. Adolescence and Youth Dropout by Therapist and Therapy Type
David Fawcett
D. Russell Crane

In this poster results of an analysis of 130,325 child and adolescent therapy cases will be presented. Analysis was made to determine dropout rates for individual and family therapy provided by medical doctors, psychologists, master’s nurses, MSWs, MFTs, and professional counselors. Results show a significantly lower dropout rate for MFTs and MSWs. Mixed mode therapy type showed a significantly lower dropout rate than individual or family therapy.

10. Associations Among Coparenting, Parenting, & Child Outcome
Mei-Ju Ko
Amanda G. Spruill

This study used dyadic data analysis to examine whether couples’ coparenting relationships have a direct or indirect (through influencing individual parenting) impact on child’s behavioral problems. Results indicated mothers’ coparenting is correlated with fathers’ parenting, and fathers’ parenting is correlated with mothers’ perceptions on their child’s behavioral problems.

11. Contextual Substance Abuse Dynamics of Male Self-injurers
Steven H. Jella

Self-injury continues to be a prevalent issue among adolescents. Emotional distress and poor coping skills acquired from family and social contexts have been cited as being underlying factors that contribute to adolescent substance abuse and Self-injury. This study examined the family and peer contextual family typologies and social substance abuse dynamics with male adolescent self-injurers.

12. Developmental Perspective of Shared Goals in Young Adulthood
Meghan B. Owenz
Blaine J. Fowers

This poster will present research supporting appropriate dependency in the young adulthood developmental stage. This study examines differentiation and dependency in college students’ goal pursuit. Consistent with the Family Life Cycle model, when young adults appropriately pursue individual goals (career, academics) independently and interpersonal goals (friendship, family relationships) interdependently, they report more positive affect and a higher level of flourishing.

13. Evidence-based Practice for Families with Obese Children
Pauline P. Sung
Jane Shim Kuen Tsoi

There has been a growing concern over the effectiveness of family intervention for obese children. One challenge facing MFT practitioners is the choice of relevant research methods to develop evidence-based practice. This poster reports on a study which employs a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods to inform the design of a family-based intervention to prevent adolescent obesity.

14. Father Emotional Involvement and Daughter Outcomes
Justin T. Koon
Kay Pasley

This poster presentation will offer participants insight into the nature of the relationship between a father’s emotional involvement with his daughter and her sexual behavior. Using a sample of 217 college females, the investigation utilized multiple regression and found a significant relationship between a father’s emotional involvement with his daughter and her hooking-up behavior in college.

15. Fathers’ Stress and their Children’s Behavioral Problems
Tamra J. Cumbie
Gunnur Karakurt
Cynthia Dsauza

Stress is a varied and enduring concern in most families. This study examines differences between stressed and non-stressed fathers’ reports of their children’s behavioral problems. Findings indicate that there is a significant difference between these two populations’ reports of their children stealing and a marginally significant difference between reports of their children’s bed-wetting and eating disorders.

16. Mediators of Adolescent Prosocial and Religious Outcomes
Adam M. Clark
Chrissy Bulloch
Roy A. Bean

This poster will focus on the direct and indirect relationship between parenting and adolescent’s prosocial behavior and levels of religiosity. Parent religiosity and parenting were examined in relation to adolescent’s prosocial behaviors and religiosity with adolescent’s attitudes of hope and optimism examined as mediating variables. Recommendations will be presented for future research.

17. Residential Care: The Role of Client-Counselor Relationships
Carolyn Wolfe
Andrea K. Wittenborn

This study examined relationships between clients and counselors in an adolescent court affiliated residential treatment setting. A mixed-methods design was utilized to examine whether counselors could be alternative attachment figures for clients, sensitively responding to their distress during difficult times. Results suggested that whether clients turned to counselors during difficult times was directly related to counselors own attachment security.

Clinical Techniques

18. Family Puppet Story Technique: A Window into Family Process?
Becky R. Davenport
Nicole M. Bourgeois

The family puppet story is a family play therapy technique commonly used to assess family process. This poster will summarize a study of clinical and nonclinical families examining the correlation between clinicians’ assessments of family process variables with parent-reported assessments of family dynamics and individual symptomology. Points of convergence and divergence between parents’ and clinicians’ assessments will be presented.

Collaboration/Consulting

19. Enhancing Collaboration Among Primary Care Physicians
Paul R. Springer
George W. Bitar
Chad A. Graff
Robert Gee

Collaboration and integration of mental health services in primary care settings is critical in improving the quality of care. However, few studies have addressed the challenges in integrating care from the perspective of physicians who provide these services. This poster will present the research exploring the attitudes and perceptions of primary care providers’ in integrating behavioral health in their practices.

20. Training MFT and Medical Students in a Family Therapy Clinic
Maitri S.P. Chand
G. Bowden Templeton
Mellonie S. Hayes
Steve E. Livingston
Robyn L. Mowery
Jane F. Hardee

Collaborative practice between family therapists and physicians has become the standard of care for many patients with psychiatric and medical illness despite lack of mutual knowledge about professional training. Sixty 3rd year medical students completed a survey assessing attitudes toward therapy following participation in a family therapy clinic. Responses suggest that mutual training promotes a more positive attitude toward therapy.

Couples

21. A Phenomenological Look at the Effects of Gaming on Marriage
Jason C. Northrup
Sterling T. Shumway

This poster will present the results of a qualitative study examining the phenomenological experiences of spouses of online video game addicts. Results include three categories of themes and subthemes: Changes in My Husband, Changes in Me, and Changes in the Marital Relationship. The essence of the phenomenon will be discussed, as will implications for MFTs and directions for future research.

22. A Visual Guide for Analyzing Therapy Outcome
Nathan D. Wood
D. Russell Crane
Chris Crawford

This poster presents clinical data from 70 couples that were given the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) at intake, 6 months, and 12 months post intake. Data is plotted visually so that husband and wife scores are combined in a manner that represents couple scores and outcomes without washing out differences between the couple. Implications for practice are discussed.

23. Attachment Styles and Relationship Maintenance Strategies
Aaron M. Norton
Ashley N. Cook
Joyce A. Baptist
Rebekah D. Adams
David E. Thompson
C.J. Aducci

Securely attached individuals report greater level of relationship satisfaction and use of relationship maintenance strategies (RMS). This study explores the relationship between four attachment styles and RMS. Participants were 198 emerging adults in heterosexual, romantic relationships. Results indicate a significant relationship between attachment styles and Positivity and Assurances RMS as well as significant between group differences.

24. Change Process in Couple Therapy: Client & Therapist Roles
Stephen T. Fife
Amy J. Hachquet
Laura Card

This poster will present results from a qualitative study on the process of therapeutic change in marital therapy. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with couples receiving therapy for marital conflict. Results of a qualitative analysis focusing on clients’ and therapists’ contributions to the process of change will be presented. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research are included.

25. Cohabitating Couples: The Impact of Economic Crisis
Gwenyth M. Poggi
Krystal M. Fountaine
Sean D. Davis

This research examined what impact the nation’s economic instability has on cohabitating couple's decision to continue to cohabitate or marry. Narrative accounts were gathered regarding relationship expectations, their decision to cohabitate, contributing variables affecting their ability to change their relationship status, and what they believe might contribute to them changing their standing as cohabitators in the future.

26. Comparative Effectiveness of Evidence-based Couples Programs
Marjorie L. Strachman - Miller
Rachel Foster
Jared R. Anderson
Sandra M. Stith

This study examined the effectiveness of delivering evidence-based relationship programs in different modalities to couples in the Air Force. Preventative Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) was delivered to couples in a group or home-study condition. A pre/post protocol was employed to determine the comparative effectiveness of the programs in enhancing relationship satisfaction, anger management skills, and program satisfaction.

27. Conflict Styles as a Predictor of Relationship Maintenance
Joyce A. Baptist
David E. Thompson
C.J. Aducci
Rebekah D. Adams
Aaron M. Norton

A major challenge for emerging adults is maintaining relationships over a prolonged transition to adulthood. This study explored conflict styles as a predictor of relationship satisfaction indicated by efforts to maintain relationships. Participants were 198 emerging adults. Results suggest that females are more invested in their relationships and that integrating conflict style predicts the greatest use of relationship maintenance strategies.

28. Depression, Withdrawal, and Intimacy in Couple Relationships
Nicole Finkbeiner
Norman B. Epstein

Difficulties with intimacy are frequently implicated in decisions to seek counseling for relationship problems, and increasing or enhancing intimacy is often one of the primary goals of couple therapy. This poster presents a study of the associations of clinical couples’ depression symptoms, withdrawal behaviors and withdrawal cognitions with their intimate behavior. Findings indicated that certain individual-level factors, such as withdrawal cognitions and depression symptoms, were associated with intimate behavior for all partners. Implications for clinical assessment and couple therapy will be discussed.

29. Does Couple Distress Vary with Emotional Reactivity?
Ruvan I. Weerasuriya
Raymond E. Petren
G. Bowden Templeton
Shayne R. Anderson
Lee N. Johnson

Little is known about the effects of particular therapeutic stances as they pertain to emotional reactivity. Using a single ABCBC design, this study examined the in-session impact of enactments on emotional connection for 10 heterosexual couples. Results indicated that the link between emotional connection and enactments varied by level of relational distress.

30. Effectiveness of Short-Term Relationship Education Programs
Robert D. Porter
Steven M. Harris
Austin W. Houghtaling
Damon L. Rappleyea
Jason B. Whiting

Existing research suggests when a marriage is healthy, it is much more likely to produce positive outcomes for adults and children. Adults in healthy marriages report better health and economic benefits than their non-healthy marriage counterparts. This poster will discuss outcomes from several 8-week MRE workshops at various sites throughout a southwestern state. Findings will be discussed, along with implications for research and practice.

31. Factor Analytic Study of the Marriage Potential Inventory
Charles L. Cole
John Buckner

Potential for success in marriage has been a neglected construct in the marriage research literature. In this poster presentation a factor analytic study of the marital potential of 95 couples will be reported. Research on the Marriage Potential Inventory (MPI) will be presented to demonstrate it's advantages and usefulness. Findings will be discussed.

32. Falling Out of Romantic Love as Seen in Married Couples
Joanni L. Sailor

The need for research that contributes to the understanding of marital love dissolution is increasing. Many couples contribute the dissolution of their marriage to falling out of romantic love. By using phenomenological inquiry, this research explored the question, what is the experience of falling out of romantic love with one's spouse? Findings identify clinical application with implications for prevention and intervention.

33. Financial Cooperation and Couples' Financial Distress
Richard B. Miller
Lexie Pfeifer

In the context of the current economic recession, financial stress in families is particularly relevant. Data from the Flourishing Families Project were analyzed for this poster presentation testing the mediating role of financial cooperation on marital quality among couples experiencing financial distress. Results indicated that the quality of communication about finances and having similar financial goals significantly reduced the impact of financial stress on couples marital quality.

34. How Therapists Impact Power Dynamics in the Couple System
Avigail Ward
Carmen Knudson-Martin

This poster will display a study that investigated how therapists work towards balancing power differences, in couple therapy sessions. The research question, guiding this qualitative grounded theory analysis, was ‘In what implicit and explicit ways do therapists negotiate and balance power within couples?’ The goal was to identify processes that contribute to change within the couple system.

35. Impact of Relational Ethics Among Couples in Therapy
Rashmi Gangamma
Suzanne Bartle-Haring

This poster will present findings of a study on the impact of relational ethics on relationship satisfaction in 69 heterosexual couples seeking therapy. Analysis using Hierarchical Linear Modeling showed a differential impact of relational ethics on male and female partners’ relationship satisfaction levels. Findings of the study have significant implications in theoretical conceptualization and application of relational ethics in therapy.

36. Marital Process: Attributions, Behavior and Marital Quality
Jared A. Durtschi
Frank Fincham
Ming Cui
Rand Conger
Fred Lorenz

Attributions have been linked to marital quality, but the underlying mechanisms for this association are not well understood. Using 280 couples over the first four years of marriage, results from structural equation modeling demonstrated that the effect of newlywed responsibility attributions to marital quality four years into the marriage was mediated by couples’ behavior two years into the marriage.

37. Marital Support and Perspective Taking: The Role of Gender
Jakob F. Jensen
Amy Rauer
Scott A. Ketring
Thomas A. Smith

People benefit greatly from receiving support, especially from their spouse. However, factors that predict good support provision may differ for spouses. This study suggests that although wives’ support provision was unrelated to her ability to take others’ perspective, husbands’ support was related to both spouses’ perspective taking. This highlights the importance of considering the co-creation of support in marriage.

38. Measuring Change in Couple Therapy Using the RDAS
Rachel B. Tambling
Shayne R. Anderson
Michele L. Parker
Kelly Campbell

This poster presents normative data for a clinical and community sample on the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), a popular measure of relational satisfaction. In addition, the poster identifies Reliable Change Indices as well as cutoffs to be used to establish clinically significant change for clinical populations.

39. Military Marriages: Coping with Deployment
Rebecca Culver-Turner
Joyce A. Baptist
Jonathan J. Swinton
Briana S. Nelson Goff

Military couples face a distinct set of stresses that often includes deployment. An inductive qualitative study was conducted to explore how deployment affected the relationships of military couples and how they made meaning of their deployment experience. Nine themes emerged from the interview content that will inform clinical practice with military couples.

40. Needs Assessment in Military Couples Post-Deployment
Dol U. Green
Min S. Reynolds
Rosemary Z. Hernandez
Dan A. Ratliff

This poster presentation will provide needs assessment results with post-deployment military couples that sought Marital Therapy. The archival analysis of intake assessment of twenty-one military couples post-deployment indicates that the military couples exhibited clinically significant marital distress. Findings suggest that marriage therapist treating military couples that have deployed need to be aware of the additional environmental and relational stressors.

41. Partner Understanding of Fertility Intentions
Grace A. Wilson
Karina Shreffler
Kami L. Schwerdtfeger

This poster will present research examining partner understanding of fertility intentions. Results are based on a nationally-representative sample of women and their spouses/partners from the National Survey of Fertility Barriers (NSFB). Findings and implications for clinicians and researchers will be presented.

42. Partner Withdrawal and Steps Taken to End a Relationship
Laura M. Evans
Norman B. Epstein
Kirsten E. Jimerson
Leanne M. Juzaitis
April R. McDowell

Previous research has established an association between forms of withdrawal behavior and marital distress and dissolution; however, the extent to which withdrawal cognitions and behaviors influence steps that partners take toward ending their relationship has received little evaluation. This poster will examine associations between cognitive and behavioral withdrawal of each partner in a couple and the degree to which he or she has taken steps to disengage from the relationship. Findings will highlight the necessity of addressing global partners' withdrawal among additional findings.

43. Perspectives of Finances in Pre-Marital Couples
James M. Zubatsky
Steven M. Harris
Dean M. Busby
David C. Ivey

The issue of money is a notorious source of conflict in marriages and other committed relationships. Good communication and problem solving strategies are necessary to appropriately handle financial issues in newly formed couples. This poster will highlight some key perspectives and factors in how individuals view finances prior to marriage. Analysis of data from an assessment approach used in therapy can aid practitioners in developing useful interventions and strategies in pre-marital counseling.

44. Predicting the Therapeutic Alliance in Couples Therapy
Shayne R. Anderson
Amanda C. Pasciucco
Lee N. Johnson
Scott A. Ketring

Although the therapeutic alliance is consistently related to outcome in both individual and couple therapy, little is known about the factors that predict alliance formation. This poster will summarize predictors of the alliance in couple therapy including the match between partners’ treatment goals, pressure to attend therapy, previous therapy experiences, and attribution of responsibility for the couples’ problems.

45. Premarital Predictors of Marital Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis
Jeffrey B. Jackson
Jeffry H. Larson
Matthew D. Brown
Mallory J. Meyer
Andrew Brown
Garret Roundy

This poster will present a meta-analysis of research conducted to determine the most important premarital protective and risk factors associated with marital relationship quality and stability. The premarital factors found to be the most important in predicting subsequent marital relationship outcomes will be identified. Clinical recommendations for augmenting the efficacy of premarital education and counseling will be presented.

46. Process Research on Covert Aggression in Couple Conflict
Megan Oka
Jason B. Whiting
Douglas B. Smith
Gunnur Karakurt

This study links observational markers of psychological abuse, distress maintaining attributions, and dysphoric affect from 10-minute taped couple interactions to couple reports of overt aggression, as well as their self perceptions of safety. This poster will detail the study of 60 couples from a clinical and community sample in an effort to understand how couples experiencing conflict and violence influence one another.

47. Protecting from Breakup? The Role of Maintenance Behaviors
Kelly Campbell
Ana Rayo
Michele L. Parker

Relationship dissolution is common, but strategies can be used to protect against breakup. In this poster two strategies will be presented: communication patterns and maintenance behaviors. With a sample of 1,006 individuals, results for destructive communication patterns were found to be negatively associated with maintenance behaviors, whereas positive communication patterns were positively associated with maintenance strategies.

48. Psychopathology Symptoms, Moods and Couple Communication
Elise M. Resnick
Norman B. Epstein
Carol A. Werlinich

This poster presents a study that examined the relationships between forms of psychopathology symptoms and positive and negative forms of couple communication. It also examined whether the relationships between partners’ psychopathology symptoms and their forms of communication are partially mediated by their pre-interaction moods. The findings indicated that mood partially mediates between psychopathology symptoms and positive communication.

49. Resiliency in Air Force Couples Following Deployment
Jared R. Anderson
Rachel Foster
Yvonne E. Amanor-Boadu
Marjorie L. Strachman - Miller
Michelle A. Gorzek
Sandra M. Stith

Deployment and reintegration into family life after deployment effects marriages and families in different ways. This poster will present results of a study that explored resiliency in Air Force couples. Twenty-five ‘expert’ couples who self identified as having a successful marriage and stable family participated in qualitative interviews to determine the factors that contribute to relationship success during deployment and reintegration. Findings identified coping strategies that supported the ability to maintain connections during deployments.

50. Same-Sex Couple Development
Mary S. Green
Markie L.C. Blumer

Same-sex couples create and maintain relationships in a society that marginalizes their couplehood. The developmental paths of same-sex couples and their couple identity development remain unclear. This poster presents research collected from interviews with lesbian and gay male individuals and couples. Common themes provide insight into the experiences of same-sex couples on their development towards couplehood.

51. The Role of Equity in Relationship Maintenance
Rebekah D. Adams
C.J. Aducci
Joyce A. Baptist
David E. Thompson
Aaron M. Norton

Individuals who feel that they are equally benefiting from their relationship are more satisfied and will exert more effort toward maintaining their relationship. This study explored the role of equity in relationship maintenance. Results indicate that the degree of equity in relationships, including over- and under-benefitedness significantly affects the use of Assurances, Shared Tasks, and Positivity to maintain relationships.

Death/Loss

52. A Qualitative Analysis of Diverse Couples’ Perinatal Loss
Vicki Winstead
Tommie V. Boyd
Christopher F. Burnett
Ronald J. Chenail

This researcher utilized narrative analysis in a qualitative study design to explore eight culturally diverse couples’ experiences before, during, and after perinatal loss. The results revealed five themes: Significance of Faith and Spirituality, Reaching Out to Family and Others, Expressions of Emotion, Experiences in Health Care, and Practices of Burial Rituals highlighting similarities and differences with previous research findings.

53. Marital Resilience after Violent Death of a Child
Kerry L. Barth
Marianne McInnes Miller

The death of a child has the most severe effect on a parent when compared to other types of loss (Brotherson & Soderquist, 2002). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experience of individuals who had lost children violently and who experienced their marriages as resilient. The essence of relationship resilience was identified as participants viewing their marriages as: (1) Safe, secure, and protected; (2) Mutually understanding; and (3) Able to reintegrate and reorganize their relationship.

Delivery Systems/Managed Care

54. Psychotherapy Dose-Response in Managed Care
Adam M. Moore
D. Russell Crane

Few studies examine the psychotherapy dose-response relationship. This study compared naturalistic data on dose-response with the randomized clinical trial (RCT) studies. Different from RCT studies, managed care patients who received 8 therapy sessions returned for a second episode of treatment care in only 15% of cases. This raises questions about the applicability of RCT studies to the managed care real world.

Depression

55. Depression and Dyadic Distress in Couple Relationships
Andrea K. Wittenborn
Bonnie Culpepper
Deborah L. Styler
Lauren E. Russo
Maureen C. Smith
Kristin E. Wade
Ashley P. Wise

Depression and dyadic distress commonly co-occur and are the two presenting problems MFTs are most likely to treat. This poster will review the current literature on assessment strategies and treatment for depression. Treatment recommendations will be made based on empirical and anecdotal evidence from a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of EFT for distressed and depressed couples.

56. Stress, Depression with Marital Interaction as a Mediator
James M. Harper
Allison Ellsworth

Many studies have explored how individual stress is related to depressive symptoms, but few studies examine these variables in a couple context with actual observed marital interaction as a mediating variable. Findings indicated that actual negative couple interaction partially mediates the effect of individual stress on depressive symptoms for both partners.

Education/Training/Supervision

57. A Grounded Theory of Client Terminated Single Session Cases
Harriet E. Kiviat
Babette M. Rosabal
Yulia Watters
Juliana Deans
Ronald J. Chenail

Almost half of clients who attend an initial psychotherapy session in various clinical settings do not return for a second scheduled appointment. Utilizing a constructivist grounded theory approach; the presenters identify themes regarding client termination of therapy suggesting that this may be due to successful single sessions, intra-therapeutic variables, and/or extra-therapeutic variables. The investigators discuss how identifying early therapy termination factors may improve therapeutic relationships and enhance clinical training.

58. Client Retention Following Transfer in a Training Setting
Pamela G. Clark
J. Michelle Robertson
Richard Keen
Charles L. Cole

Although transferring clients from one clinician to another is a common practice in most training facilities and community clinics, little is known about how many of these clients remain in treatment. This poster presents research based on a file review of clients transferred from graduating clinicians to incoming clinicians over the past five years in an accredited MFT program. The number of sessions clients missed pretransfer and the number of co-therapy transfer sessions conducted were significantly correlated with successful transfers. Findings will be explored.

59. Doing Rural Right: Training in Culturally Competent Practice
Richard J. Bischoff
Allison M. J. Reisbig
Paul R. Springer
W. David Robinson
Michael M. Olson
Layne A. Prest

Access to mental health care in rural communities is dependent upon both the availability of providers and the perception of the adequacy and acceptability of the care. Both of these areas can be increased through improved training of MFTs to meet the unique mental health needs of rural residents. This research identifies practice competencies for successful work in rural communities.

60. The State of Medical Family Therapy
Lisa E. Tyndall
Jennifer L. Hodgson

Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) is a relatively young sub-specialty founded in the intersection of Marriage and Family Therapy and Family Medicine (McDaniel, Hepworth, & Doherty, 1992). This poster will demonstrate critical information on the sub-specialty of Medical Family Therapy (MedFT). A modified Delphi (Dalkey, 1972) survey will provide academicians with a base of competencies, supervisors and clinicians with a foundation of MedFT clinical skills, and researchers with a cornerstone of guidelines to inform their work.

Ethics/Legal

61. Multiple Relationships: A Dialogue with MFTs and Clients
C.J. Aducci
Charles L. Cole

Postmodernism has impacted approaches to working with families in therapy, yet it has received little notoriety regarding ethics. This phenomenological study examined the postmodern perspective of ethics, specifically regarding multiple relationships. All interviews were co-constructed between the client, therapist, and inquirer. This poster will provide themes that emerged from the data and implications for further research.

Gender

62. Aesthetic Representation of Transgender Identity Disclosure
Kristen E. Benson
Fred P. Piercy

Existing literature calls for CFTs to address the relational needs of transgender clients and their families in research and clinical practice. This poster will describe a study that examined transgender people and their partners’ experiences of gender identity disclosure. Results will be presented by use of evocative aesthetic representation of the data through metaphor.

63. Improving Competency In Transgenderism Among MFT Trainees
Marjorie L. Strachman - Miller
Rebecca Culver-Turner
Joyce A. Baptist

This poster will present the impact of training MFT students for 8 weeks on competency in transgender specific issues. Changes in competency were determined with the Transphobia Scale pre/post training. Qualitative data was analyzed with the sensitizing concepts of awareness, knowledge, and adaptation of clinical skills. Demographic factors and the effects of the training on practice were also explored.

64. Relationship Status and Contraception Use in College Women
Elizabeth H. Blodgett Salafia
Kristen E. Benson

This study explored the use of birth control and contraception among college women. Specifically, the researchers examined the relationship between responsibility for contraception use (e.g., self versus partner) and relational status (e.g., single versus coupled). Results indicated a significant relationship between committed relationship status and responsibility for birth control/contraception use.

65. Transgendered & Partners: Couple & Sexual Relationships
Gary H. Bischof
Kerrie A. Krahn
Kate Salada
Erin J. Thompson
Heather J. Wagner

This research utilized qualitative phenomenological methods and in-person interviews of individual partners and couples to discover the experiences of transgender persons and their partners regarding their couple and sexual relationships. Themes included issues of sexual orientation for the partner, adjustment in phases, use of natal anatomy in sexual interactions and responses of others outside the relationship.

Medical/Physical

66. Are MFT’s Treating Obesity
Jennifer J. Lambert-Shute
Erica B. Hamlow

Obesity issues are a concern for most adults today. Treating obesity has been mostly left to the medical arena. In the past Marriage and Family Therapist discovered new avenues for medical problems which were thought to only have a medical solution. This poster presents research aimed at discovering if marriage and family therapists are working with obesity in their practice. In addition, demographic information about the MFTs doing this type of work is explored.

67. Breast Cancer and the Family: A Guide for MFTs
Kate S. McKee
Adrian J. Blow
Janet Osuch
Michael Boivin
Pam Haan
Laura Symonds

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. In 2007 an estimated 240,000 women were diagnosed (National Cancer Institute, 2007). This poster will report the findings of a qualitative study that explored the coping of women living with breast cancer and the role of marital partners and family members in that coping process. Implications for treatment will be presented to therapists as a guide to working with this population.

68. Characteristics of Men Coping with Breast Cancer in Women
Morgan A. Stinson
Kelly Kennedy
Stephanie R. Burwell

This study describes the characteristics of men who are actively coping with their spouse or partner's breast cancer. Descriptive statistics examine demographic variables and relational and mental health correlates of these men, including their relationship adjustment, depression, and quality of life. Therapeutic strategies to assist men and their spouse or partner with breast cancer are provided.

69. Couple Therapy and Treatment of Vulvar Vestibulitis
Erica E. Hartwell
Amy E. Blanchard

Vulvar vestibulitis syndrome (VVS) is the most common cause of sexual pain in premenopausal women (Harlow & Stewart, 2003), yet there continues to be a lack of literature on the effects of this illness on the couple experience. This poster presents a literature review that has established VVS as a condition with a physiological etiology that is maintained by physical and psychological constructs as well as illustrates the need for couple therapy and the utilization of chronic illness models. This presentation will emphasize the need for empirical studies on the treatment of couples in which there is a diagnosis of VVS.

70. Having a Child with Cancer: The Impact on Couples
Todd H. Marshall

Cancer has broad reaching affects for both the individual patient and the family system in which the individual lives, causing shifts in the parental dyad. This poster discusses the results of research where couples were interviewed on their experience of having a child with cancer. Research methodology, findings and clinical implications will be presented.

71. Life Satisfaction Among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes
Jennifer L. Hodgson
Kenneth W. Phelps
Angela L. Lamson
Mark B. White

Marriage and family therapists and medical family therapists are increasingly encountering clients navigating chronic illness, such as type 2 diabetes. This poster details the interrelationships between biomedical measures, psychological distress, social support, spirituality, and satisfaction with life. Results indicate the importance of intervention at multiple levels to stimulate change in life satisfaction, with specific consideration of distinctiveness among ethnic groups.

72. Mediators of Family Conflict and Eating Symptoms
Linda M. Perosa
Sandra Perosa

Families touched by anorexia tend to avoid but bulimic families more often express conflict. Anorexic individuals have difficulty transitioning from childhood to adolescence; while bulimic individuals struggle with adolescence to adulthood. This study investigated multiple individuation variables as mediators between family conflict and eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Findings from this study imply that individuation variables may be risk/protective factors for ED. Additional findings will be presented.

73. Relational Aggression and Physical Health in Marriage
Matthew P. Martin
Richard B. Miller
Jeremy B. Yorgason
Jason S. Carroll

Recent studies have identified relational aggression as a type of covert marital conflict. However, none have tested for effects of relational aggression on physical health in marriage. This study examined longitudinal dyadic data of 316 couples to determine how subtle, indirect marital conflict like relational aggression affects the health of spouses.

74. Resiliency & Hope in Parenting a Child with Down Syndrome
Nicole P. Springer
Kayli Cross

Down Syndrome (DS), also known as Trisomy 21, is the most common occurring chromosomal exception (i.e., 1 in 800 births). This study was designed to explore the resilience and hope in families who are parenting a child with Down syndrome (DS). An online survey was developed to capture narratives from parents. Common themes related to the diagnosis, anticipatory mourning process, finding hope, and embracing life with DS will be presented.

75. The Influence of Social Supports on Eating Disorder Recovery
Deanna Linville
Katrina L. Sturm
Tiffany B. Brown

Findings will be presented from a qualitative study that investigated what social supports and treatment providers did to help or hurt the recovery process. This poster will present the experiences and perspectives of individuals who recovered from an eating disorder. Insight into what strategies are helpful and unhelpful during the process of recovering from an eating disorder will be offered.

Models/Theory

76. Formal Grounded Theory of MFT Client Perceptions of Therapy
Ronald J. Chenail
Sally A. St. George
Daniel P. Wulff
Maureen P. Duffy
Karen Wilson Scott

In a systematic review of clients’ experiences of MFT, the investigators, utilizing formal grounded theory on 55 articles, identified four sets of factors clients perceived as being important: (a) Therapist Factors, (b) Therapy Factors, (c) Client Factors, and (d) Therapy-Life Factors. The investigators’ grounded theory suggests different clients can perceive the same factors as being helpful or not helpful.

77. Systematic Narrative Review of Discursive Therapies Research
Cynthia V. Somers
Ronald J. Chenail
Melissa L. DeVincentis
Harriet E. Kiviat

This poster reports on a systematic narrative review of research on discursive therapies such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Collaborative Therapy and suggests investigators utilize a variety of evaluation questions, designs, and analytical methods to conduct their studies.

Race/Culture/Ethnicity/Class

78. A Kenyan Marriage in the US: A Narrative Inquiry
Miranda J. Gilmore
Marianne Miller
Rajeswari Natrajan-Tyagi

The purpose of this poster is to present the story of a married couple that has left Kenya and moved to Southern California. A narrative research framework is followed, and a guide is created for the reader that embarks on a journey that will bring participants to Kenya and back.

79. Acculturation and Assimilation: Hispanic Views on Marriage
Rolando Diaz-Loving
Damon L. Rappleyea
Steven M. Harris
Robert D. Porter
Jennifer L. Moynihan
Venita W. Wright
Kristen M. Kaverman

With a large group of Hispanic respondents in this survey, researchers were able to look deeper into patterns of acculturation and assimilation in relation to attitudes about marriage and relationships. Participants from a sample of 2503 Hispanic adults responded to a survey exploring the influences of marriage and divorce on family life. This study compares the divergent views of family life in traditionally oriented Hispanic families and their acculturated counterparts.

80. Barriers to Help-Seeking for Disadvantaged Parents
Misty D. Gillespie
Melissa G. Oliver
Glade L. Topham
Kathleen Briggs
Charles C. Hendrix

This poster will present research investigating the barriers and attitudes towards help-seeking for economically disadvantaged parents of young children (ages 3-10). Specific ideas will be presented for how marriage and family therapists can help disadvantaged parents overcome barriers to help-seeking and increase parent openness to treatment.

81. Experiences in a Latino Family Therapy Immersion Program
Janese C. Olalde
John K. Miller
Jason J. Platt

This study of a 5-week Latino Family Therapy Immersion Program was based in Mexico City. The Immersion program was designed to foster cultural competencies related to conducting human services work with Latino populations. Qualitative interviews were conducted to determine experiences within the program. Discussion and recommendations for future immersion education will be explored.

82. Migrant Parents and Child Mandated Therapy
Abigail Yeojin Ahn
Marianne Miller
Linna Wang
Tracey A. Laszloffy

This poster will explain the experience of eight individual migrant parents whose children were receiving mandated therapy. Giorgi’s phenomenological approach was utilized to analyze interview transcripts. Five constituents were generated from the analysis. The essence of the phenomenon was discovered through descriptions of the participants' experiences. Clinical application for MFT will be discussed.

83. Peers, Substance Use and Loneliness in Hispanic Adolescents
Denhi Chaney
Roy A. Bean

Studies have examined the correlation between peers, substance abuse and feelings of loneliness within the Hispanic population. However, there has not been an analysis of lonely and non-lonely groups. This study examined the two groupings, finding significant differences, for the variables of peers and substance use, in terms of their associations to lonely and non-lonely Hispanic adolescents.

84. Predictors of Native American Relational Satisfaction
Krystal Cobell
Jonathan Sandberg

Very little is known about Native American couples. This study aims to identify factors that predict successful relationship quality in Native American couples. Results show that family of origin functioning and perceived emotional readiness are significant predictors. Findings and recommendations will be presented.

85. Racial Stress & Satisfaction Among African American Couples
Narkia M. Green

This poster presentation will present a qualitative study that explores how race-related stress (RRS) influences marital satisfaction (MS) among African American married couples. How couples experiencing RRS, associate meaning to how the phenomenon strengthened and/or challenged their MS will be explored. Findings will illustrate a conceptual map of the influential process of RRS on MS.

86. Results of Modified Love, Limits & Latitude Parenting Class for Native Americans
David D. Law
Jerica M. Berge

This poster reports the effectiveness of a modified version of the Love, Limits, and Latitude Parenting program for Native Americans. This program was designed to draw upon the strengths and traditions of Native American culture. Data from parents’ self-report questionnaires indicate significant pre-post statistical improvement in individual, dyadic, and family functioning.

87. The Experiences of Latina Mothers Parenting Alone
J. Maria Bermudez
Lisa M. Zak-Hunter

This poster will present the findings of the meaning and experiences of 20 Mexican-American mothers parenting alone. The following alternative views about marriage and single parenting will be presented as a result: 1) single parenting is not contingent upon relationship status and 2) single parenting can be beneficial to women and children when the context of marriage is problematic and/or detrimental.

88. Treatment Needs/Desires of Homeless Mothers with Children
Denitza Bantchevska
Jennifer C. Collins
Natasha Slesnick

No study has systemically assessed the treatment needs and desires of homeless families. In order to address this gap, this study reports the findings in which homeless, substance abusing mothers with young children in their care were asked to identify their treatment needs and desires. Treatment and engagement implications will be discussed.

Remarriage/Stepfamilies

89. Communication Patterns in First and Second Marriages
Rachel Mirecki
Andrew S. Brimhall
Michelle L. Engblom-Deglmann

Communication is vital for the maintenance of satisfying relationships; however, little is known about communication in remarriages. This study assessed communication patterns expressed during conflict discussions in first marriages and second marriages. While few differences existed between these groups, the remarried sample indicated more positive and less negative communication patterns with their current spouse than with their former spouse.

Self-of-Therapist

90. Family Therapists’ Stories of Social Justice
Kevin P. Lyness
Binh H. Pham
Nickolas Jordan

This poster presents results of a recent survey of MFTs perceptions of social justice, specifically looking at respondents written stories about their experiences with social justice. A narrative analytic framework was used. The primary question was what types of experiences led family therapists to a better personal understanding of social justice?

Sexual Orientation

91. Disclosure of HIV+ Status to Family: Results of Pilot Study
Julianne M. Serovich
Erika L. Grafsky
Sandra J. Reed
Erica E. Hartwell

This poster will present the research results of an intervention designed to assist HIV-positive men who have sex with men develop skills to disclose their serostatus to family members. This research resulted in 19 disclosures that were associated with no feelings of regret by the participant. Recommendations for clinicians who work with HIV positive persons will be provided.

92. Lesbian Couples and Their Therapists Experience of Therapy
Mary S. Green
Megan J. Murphy

Lesbian couples present for therapy for relationship problems within a societal context that marginalizes and invalidates the very relationship they are attempting to maintain. The aim of this study was to explore a common experience of therapy from the perspective of lesbian couples and their therapists through feminist methodology. Findings indicated that a quality client-therapist relationship is imperative when working with lesbian couples.

93. The Impact of Marriage Exclusion on Lesbian and Gay Couples
Janet L. Osborn
Robert-Jay Green

The mention of the word marriage evokes deep reactions for lesbian and gay people as the ability to legally marry greatly impacts couples’ sense of validation. This poster will report the results of a study with 650 Lesbian and Gay couples who were surveyed regarding their beliefs of how their relationships would be impacted by the ability to legally marry.

Spirituality

94. Therapists’ and Educators’ Beliefs about Spirituality
Thomas Stone Carlson
Christine R. McGeorge
Amy M. Anderson

This poster will describe the differences between the beliefs of family therapists and educators in CFT training programs regarding the importance of spirituality in their personal and professional lives. The results suggest a significant difference between the two populations, with therapists reporting higher levels of agreement regarding the role of spirituality in their personal/professional identities.

Trauma/Violence/Abuse

95. Dyadic Adult Attachment Style and Relationship Aggression
Jonathan B. Wilson
Brandt C. Gardner
Matthew W. Brosi
Dean M. Busby

This research study focused on the intersection between dyadic adult attachment style and relationship aggression. Results indicate that not only are partner’s attachment styles predictive of each another, but are also predictive of their likelihood to engage in relational aggression. This poster will present further implications for both research and practice.

96. Emotional Abuse, Dyadic Adjustment and Romantic Stability
Gunnur Karakurt
Tamra J. Cumbie

Abuse in intimate relationships can occur in physical or nonphysical forms. Emotional abuse includes acts such as dominance, isolation, degradation, ridicule, or threats. Sometimes it is surprising that some abusive relationships end while others do not. What makes abusive relationships end? This research poster will present results indicating that emotional abuse has a significant direct and indirect effect on relationship stability via relationship adjustment.

97. Ethnic Group Differences and Violence in Adolescence
Damon L. Rappleyea
Steven M. Harris
Roy A. Bean

Participants from a sample of 2214 adolescents responded to a survey exploring socialization influences. This study examined the impact of violent behavior on constructs of self worth, school satisfaction, and parental violence. Comparative model testing, using SEM, was used to investigate the relationship between the aforementioned constructs and three ethnic groups (African-American, Euro-American, and Latino).

98. Exploring the Role of Childhood Trauma in Marital Context
Lin Shi
Carrie L. Murrow
Kristy L Watkins

This poster presents research on eighty couples seeking marital therapy. The aim of this study was to understand the long-term impact of childhood trauma. A multivariate analysis was completed showing adult attachment dimensions as significant predictors of marital satisfaction and conflict resolution behavior. Additional findings will be presented.

99. Factors Contributing to Child Sexual Abuse Victims Becoming Offenders
Melissa L. McVicker
Lorna L. Hecker
Patricia Hoogestraat
David Nalbone

This poster will present the quantitative analysis examining the familial factors associated with childhood sexual abuse victims becoming offenders, specifically as predicted by support, coping style, attachment, and boundaries. The results from this study are expected to have important implications for working with families affected by sexual abuse, while adding to the future investigation and treatment for victims and offenders.

100. Gender and Violence in Relationship to Dyads and Individuals
Amber L. Anderson
David C. Ivey
Douglas B. Smith
Shannon N. Dial
Alyssa Jane Banford

This study examined how gender and reported level of physical aggression relate to dyadic and individual adjustment in individuals presenting for clinical services at a university based marriage and family therapy clinic. The results of the study indicate that the effect of violence on both individual and dyadic adjustment is significantly influenced by gender.

101. Immigration and the Decision to Leave Abusive Relationships
Yvonne E. Amanor-Boadu
Jill Theresa Messing
Sandra M. Stith
Jared R. Anderson
Jacquelyn C. Campbell

This poster will present the results of a study that compared the experiences of immigrant and non-immigrant women in abusive relationships, in terms of their perceptions of the risks and barriers involved in leaving. Differences between groups demonstrated higher levels of risks and barriers for immigrant women. Treatment implications are also identified.

102. Impact of Physical Violence in Dating Relationships
Joshua E. Cook
Sandra M. Stith
Marjorie L. Strachman - Miller
Yvonne E. Amanor-Boadu
Michelle A. Gorzek
Cheryl A. Lugo

Traditionally, researchers examining the impact of dating violence have focused on how violence impacts women with males being considered the predominant perpetrators. This poster will report the results of a study that explored the impact of dating violence on male as well as female college students. 305 males and 363 females who reported being in a relationship of at least one month participated in the study. Findings will identify the differential impact of physical aggression on male and females college students.

103. Intertwining Couple and Parenting Relationships in Female Survivors of Abuse
Chingju G. Chen
Marsha T. Carolan

Evidence suggests that a childhood sexual abuse history has an impact on the adult female survivors’ parenting abilities. This phenomenological study explored the interaction of childhood experiences and adulthood co-parenting experiences. Research findings demonstrate that both partners complimented each other’s parenting behaviors to avoid making the same mistakes as their parents, and parenting relationships complicated the couple relationship.

104. Intimate Partner Violence & PTSD: Dyadic Analysis
Douglas B. Smith
Jason B. Whiting
Gunnur Karakurt

There is a clear link between IPV and PTSD in the research literature. However, many studies rely on partner reports and fail to account for the interdependence of couple variables. The purpose of this study was to conduct a dyadic analysis using SEM (structural equation modeling) to develop a model of the relationships among IPV, relational adjustment, safety, and PTSD.

105. Nonviolence in Intimate Relationships: A Grounded Theory
Jason B. Whiting
Steven M. Harris
Douglas B. Smith
Shannon N. Dial
Megan Oka
Amber L. Anderson

Although the philosophy and principles of nonviolence have mostly been applied in the socio-political arena, they can be helpful in understanding intimate partner relationships as well. The purpose of this study was to analyze qualitative data that described partner dynamics (including conflict, violence, appraisals, and safety) to better understand how individuals have applied principles of nonviolence in their partnerships.

106. Parental IPV, Gender Identity, and Personal IPV
Rebecca A. Cobb
David Nalbone
Lorna L. Hecker

This poster will present research with a focus on helping marriage and family therapists further their understanding of intimate partner violence (IPV). The studies aim was to identify the function of gender role development as a mediating factor between witnessing one’s parents being physically violent with one another as a child and experiencing violence within intimate relationships as an adult.

107. Predictors of Female Physical Violence in Relationships
Chelsea A. Madsen
Sandra M. Stith

The predictors for male physical violence have been studied extensively, yet the research studying women’s physical violence is still emerging. This poster will present the results of a study that explored the predictors of female physical violence. Several predictive variables were chosen from a sample of 86 women who had requested treatment for high levels of conflict in their relationships. Clinical implications suggest treating the couple is more effective than treating the female alone.

108. PTSD Symptoms, Perceived Safety, and Dyadic Adjustment
Matthew D. Brown
Alyssa Jane Banford
Ty Mansfield
Jason B. Whiting
Douglas B. Smith
David C. Ivey

This poster session will present results of a study examining PTSD symptoms and perceived relationship safety as predictors of dyadic adjustment in clinical and community samples. The relationship between PTSD symptoms and dyadic adjustment was mediated by perceived safety in both samples. However, full mediation was observed in the clinical sample only.

109. Testing the Marital Horizon Theory with Dating Violence
Matthew D. Johnson
Jared R. Anderson
Sandra M. Stith

Dating violence is an issue that MFTs address on a regular basis, with 20% to 45% of all dating couples experiencing physical assault (Luthra & Gidycz, 2006) and 80% to 90% of all couples experiencing psychological aggression (Murray & Kardatzke, 2007). This poster will examine the marital horizon theory, including an individual’s desire to marry and ideal age of marriage, in relation to dating violence perpetration, both physical assault and psychological aggression. Marital attitudes were explored to determine their predictive power for dating violence perpetration.

110. Trauma Variables and Violence in Military Couples
Laura Compton
Trent S. Parker
Ronald J. Werner-Wilson

Previous research has linked multiple deployments to higher levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers have also found a relationship between symptoms of PTSD and intimate partner violence. However, there is limited research on the link between multiple deployments and intimate partner violence. This poster will look at intimate partner violence in relation to trauma variables related to military deployment.