{"title":"A Scoping Review of Solution-Focused Measures","authors":"Jeeyeon Hong, Zach Cooper, Cynthia Franklin","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70133","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70133","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) is a resource-based model that emphasizes solution-building over problem-solving. This scoping review identified solution-focused (SF) measurement tools, examined their psychometric properties, and explored the conceptualization of a core SFBT construct, namely solution-building. Using the PRISMA guidelines, we searched eight databases, supplemented with citation searching. Eligible studies included the development or validation of SF measures. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria, yielding 11 instruments (seven client-focused and four provider-focused). Measures were applied across diverse disciplines and cultural contexts. The Solution-Building Inventory and Solution-Focused Inventory had the most psychometric evidence. Mapping instruments to SFBT constructs revealed that “strengths and resources” and “hope and positive emotions” were most assessed, while “goal setting” and “using the client's language” were least represented. Only three measures demonstrated sensitivity to client change over time. Recommendations for future research and practice are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13053912/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147627905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Helping Couples Plan for Retirement: A Feasibility Test of Couple CARE in Retirement","authors":"W. Kim Halford, Anqi Ho","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70134","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70134","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Helping people to adjust well to retirement is important, as some retirees struggle. Most recent retirees are in a couple relationship, and the adjustment of spouses is interdependent. The current study is the first evaluation of the effects of couple-based retirement education on couples' relationships and retirement adjustment. Twenty-seven couples attended one of a series of 1-day workshops plus a telephone-based couple session. Content included couple communication and support, healthy aging, financial planning for retirement, and social engagement. Client satisfaction with the program was high, retirement self-efficacy and couple dyadic coping increased, but there was no increase in the already high couple relationship satisfaction. A couple-based approach to retirement education is promising and a randomized controlled trial with larger numbers and follow-up is needed.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147623299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stephen T. Fife, Emily Janes, Şura Sena Erbaş Yigit, Soon Cho, Areesha Azam, Aubrey Franco, Samaneh Jabalkandi
{"title":"Infidelity Decision-Making by Emerging Adult Women: A Grounded Theory","authors":"Stephen T. Fife, Emily Janes, Şura Sena Erbaş Yigit, Soon Cho, Areesha Azam, Aubrey Franco, Samaneh Jabalkandi","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70129","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70129","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Though infidelity's causes and consequences are widely discussed, the decision-making processes, especially among women, has been largely neglected in the academic literature. This study aims to address this gap by examining the infidelity decision-making process of emerging adult women. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, we analyzed in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 22 women who had engaged in infidelity while in committed heterosexual relationships. In contrast with more linear decision-making models, the findings reveal that women's infidelity decision-making is a non-linear process involving a dynamic interaction of three interconnected factors—unfulfilling relationship, motivation, and rationalizing—which we illustrate as interlocking gears to emphasize their synchronous and interdependent relationship. This grounded theory expands understanding of infidelity decision-making by moving beyond the constraints of linear models and male-oriented perspectives. Clinically, the findings highlight the importance of both relational dynamics and individual psychological processes when working with clients on infidelity-related issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13047307/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147609124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Preston C. Morgan, Chi-Fang Tseng, Courtney Doman, Yunyao Zhu
{"title":"Does Depression and Relationship Distress Predict Longer Couple Therapy Treatment in Naturalistic Settings?","authors":"Preston C. Morgan, Chi-Fang Tseng, Courtney Doman, Yunyao Zhu","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70132","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70132","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The average couple therapy treatment length is 11.50 sessions in the United States, yet these estimates are supported by decades-old research. We update this prior work by accounting for therapist effects and investigating clinical cut-offs for depression and relationship distress. We used a sample of 417 mixed-sex couples and 122 therapists from the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network. Using multilevel modeling in Mplus, couples had an average of 11.73 sessions with therapists explaining 7.40% of the variance. Having one partner meeting the relationship distress cut-off as well as both partners meeting depression cut-offs were associated with longer treatment. Additionally, therapists in the Western region of the United States and treatment after the COVID pandemic were associated treatment length. These findings can aid clinicians in providing treatment plans and clearer expectations for treatment length. Couple therapy modalities can consider briefer adaptations to meet shorter treatment lengths.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147609141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Constructive Interparental Conflict and Children's Outcomes: A Systematic Research Synthesis.","authors":"Xinyun Zhang, Qiong Wu","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70135","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70135","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Interparental conflict (IPC) is a common challenge for many parents. While previous research has examined destructive IPCs and their links to maladaptive child outcomes, less is known about how constructive IPCs relate to adaptive outcomes. This study used a systematic research synthesis (SRS) to review 23 peer-reviewed quantitative studies that were published in the past decade (2015-2025) that measured constructive IPCs and children's outcomes. Studies varied in design and location. Findings indicated that constructive IPCs were associated with less negative child outcomes, such as fewer internalizing and externalizing problems, and positive outcomes, including greater emotional security and better social problem-solving skills. Many associations were influenced by other factors. Common theoretical frameworks were examined, as well as the incorporation of mediators and moderators among selected studies. These results can guide clinicians in developing interventions for families navigating IPCs.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":"e70135"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147690532","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Lifelong Attachment System Asian Model of Family Therapy.","authors":"Takeshi Tamura","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70137","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The concept of a lifelong attachment system is derived from the author's four decades of clinical experience. This framework aligns with the collectivist values prevalent in Asian cultures, where individuals are regarded as integral parts of a larger community. Individual well-being is viewed as contingent upon a secure attachment system throughout the lifecycle. In order to illustrate the practical application of this concept, I will present a composite family therapy case study involving a socially withdrawn (hikikomori) adolescent. The objective of the therapy is to facilitate secure attachment systems. The therapeutic process includes establishing a therapeutic system, promoting secure communication within the system, and incorporating broader attachment networks. This composite case study discusses the culturally preferred value of human relationship from the collectivistic perspective prevalent in East Asian cities. It also introduces therapeutic approaches that effectively promote a secure family system by expanding the original attachment theory.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":"e70137"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773758","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Family Systems Intelligence in Couple and Family Therapy-And Beyond.","authors":"William J Doherty, Adam R Fisher, Nathan R Hardy","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70136","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper introduces family systems intelligence as a capacity that extends beyond emotional intelligence to how individuals understand and respond effectively to family challenges in ways that foster personal and relational health. After defining the general concept of systems intelligence, we define family systems intelligence and distinguish between dyadic and multilateral levels. We argue that couple therapy models are sometimes insufficient when couples face issues involving broader family systems. We illustrate these ideas in three domains where third-party dynamics are central: stepfamilies, families facing medical illness, and ideological differences. We describe initial work on a performance-based measure of family systems intelligence, with the goal of a scalable assessment to support research and training. We conclude with implications for strengthening training in systemic competence among therapists and for influencing the broader culture.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":"e70136"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13100459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Allison L. Tidwell, Catherine W. O'Neal, Emily Hanson, Nick Frye-Cox, Mallory Lucier-Greer
{"title":"Qualitative Examination of Participants' Reactions to an App-Based Military Cultural Competence Training for Helping Professionals","authors":"Allison L. Tidwell, Catherine W. O'Neal, Emily Hanson, Nick Frye-Cox, Mallory Lucier-Greer","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70130","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70130","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>There is a need to bolster military cultural competence among human service helping professionals by equipping them with foundational knowledge and evidence-based tools to serve military families. On the basis of this need, a mobile application was designed to provide military cultural competence training by delivering brief summaries of recent scholarly publications on military culture and family life. This qualitative study utilized semistructured interviews to examine 36 helping professionals' reactions to the 8-week app-based training. Guided by the Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation Model, a directed qualitative content analysis identified five themes: intentional and active engagement in the training, satisfaction with the military cultural competence training app, enhanced access and accessibility to research, relevance of the content, and affirmation of existing knowledge and established priorities. Results suggest that mobile apps may be an acceptable modality for delivering continuing education and are well-suited for helping professionals with limited time for continuing education.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147574350","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Relationship Stress and Suicidal Ideation: A Daily Diary Study","authors":"Heather A. Love, Chuong Bui, Preston Morgan","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70131","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70131","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Prior research on relationship stress and suicidal ideation has relied primarily on cross-sectional designs, limiting understanding of daily fluctuations and within-person processes. This study examined associations between relationship stress and suicidal ideation through the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide using a 10-day daily diary design. Participants (<i>N</i> = 84) were adults in romantic relationships reporting depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Multilevel modeling revealed that individuals with higher average relationship stress reported higher levels of perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belonging, and suicidal ideation. Within-person analyses showed that on days with elevated relationship stress, participants experienced same-day increases in burdensomeness, thwarted belonging, and suicidal ideation, but no next-day effects. Mediation analyses demonstrated that perceived burdensomeness mediated the same-day association between daily relationship stress and suicidal ideation. Findings suggest that relationship stress contributes to suicidal ideation by intensifying feelings of being a burden. Results support couple-focused interventions addressing relationship stress and perceived burdensomeness to reduce suicide risk.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147529888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emma Allen, Alyssa Banford Witting, Angela Bradford
{"title":"Depression Symptoms and Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy: A Longitudinal Examination of Couples During COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Emma Allen, Alyssa Banford Witting, Angela Bradford","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70128","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70128","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The COVID-19 pandemic intensified stress for many couples and families, leading to increased depression symptoms and challenges with coping. This longitudinal study examined on actor- and partner-level dyadic associations between depressive symptoms and trauma coping self-efficacy (TCSE) among 535 heterosexual cisgender couples. Data were collected online across April (<i>N</i> = 535), July (<i>N</i> = 363), and November 2020 (<i>N</i> = 238). Results indicated significant temporal stability and longitudinal associations for both depression and TCSE within partners across time. Higher depression symptoms in one partner were linked to higher symptoms in the other, while greater TCSE was associated with lower depression symptoms in both male and female partners. Notably, lower depression symptoms were also linked with higher TCSE across all time points. Findings highlight the bidirectional nature of mental health and coping in couples during crisis and suggest early interventions may strengthen TCSE may help buffer against depressive symptoms over time.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"52 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147463435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}