Eman Tadros, Annemarie Sohn, Jixuan Zhao, Aryn Chartock
{"title":"“All These Extra Mental Gymnastics”: Gender Roles, Cultural Values, and Racialized Discrimination in Online Dating","authors":"Eman Tadros, Annemarie Sohn, Jixuan Zhao, Aryn Chartock","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70071","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Dating apps have revolutionized the way people seek romantic connections, boasting a staggering 320 million users worldwide. An estimated 20%–40% of adults in the United States reported meeting their romantic partners online. While online dating research has become more popular, little attention has been paid to the experiences of racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) individuals and the unique obstacles they encounter. Utilizing the Minority Stress Model and intersectionality theory, this study investigates how overlapping marginalized identities influence REM individuals' experiences in online dating settings, revealing structural discrimination, identity-based stresses, and their effects. Through semistructured interviews, the research identified key challenges and analyzed intersectional experiences. The themes included gendered expectations, cultural compatibility, identity salience, stigma, and emotional burnout. Drawing upon participants' perspectives captured through a phenomenological approach, the study illuminates these concerns and furthers academic knowledge and therapeutic implications, promoting empathy, cultural awareness, and equity in online dating.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144990784","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}
Savithri Suresh, Abhilasha Das, S. Lokesh, Anisha Shah, Veena A. Satyanarayana
{"title":"Couple Enrichment Clinic as a Model of Promotive and Preventive Mental Health Care in South India","authors":"Savithri Suresh, Abhilasha Das, S. Lokesh, Anisha Shah, Veena A. Satyanarayana","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70067","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70067","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Preventive and promotive couple-based programs are known to increase relationship satisfaction and reduce marital discord. However, such services are rare in India. Since 2011, the Couple Enrichment Clinic in Bangalore, South India, has been providing support to couples experiencing mild to moderate psychological distress. This retrospective chart review examines data from 54 couples who consulted the clinic between January 2023 and July 2024. The majority were urban, educated couples seeking help for issues like life transitions, communication difficulties, trust, and conflict management. Therapy was delivered through conjoint, individual, or combined sessions, using an integrative approach adapted from enrichment modules like PAIRS and PREP and strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), and systemic principles. Cultural themes including extended family dynamics were also explored. The study emphasizes the unique needs of Indian couples and suggests that integrated therapeutic approaches can effectively promote relational health in this cultural context.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144927127","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":"Outcomes for Emerging Therapists: Synthesizing Two Decades of Trainee-Centered Research in C/MFT Master's Programs","authors":"Nicholas T. Triplett","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70069","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In 2005, the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education announced its transition to an outcomes-based accreditation model for C/MFT training programs. This transition to outcomes-based C/MFT education was lauded for bringing newfound freedom to instructors in C/MFT graduate programs and for ushering a paradigm shift toward collaborative, student-responsive clinical pedagogy in C/MFT training. The current study utilized a systematic research synthesis approach to explore how trainees' experiences are being conceptualized in the empirical research on master's-level C/MFT following the field's transition to outcomes-based education. Results indicated that trainees' experiences within the training context are a prevalent element in recent training-focused research, with many studies presenting trainees' experiences as a relevant factor for understanding how a given training “input” influences a trainee's eventual development of training-related skill and competency outcomes. Recommendations for instructors, C/MFT faculty, and future research toward evidence-informed clinical pedagogy are provided.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144915127","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":"Postoperative BMI Differences in Patients With an Insecure Attachment to Close Family Members With a History of Bariatric Surgery","authors":"Megan E. Perez, Jared Durtschi, Keeley Pratt","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70070","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>With the rise in metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), many patients likely have family members who also underwent MBS, yet how attachment to these relatives affects surgical outcomes remains unclear. Understanding this relationship is crucial, as attachment influences emotional regulation, self-efficacy, and behavior change—key factors in long-term weight management and surgical success. This study examined whether attachment styles influenced body mass index (BMI) changes from presurgery to 6 months postsurgery in 123 MBS patients. Patients with higher avoidant attachment to a family member who had MBS had higher BMI at intake (<i>b</i> = 3.16) but showed more rapid weight loss over 6 months (<i>b</i> = − 2.02). Anxious attachment was unrelated to intake BMI but predicted less favorable BMI trajectories over 6 months (<i>b</i> = 0.82). Findings underscore the importance of considering attachment dynamics in families where multiple members have undergone MBS.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144915128","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":"Polyamorous Individuals' Jealous and Compersive Responses to Their Partner's New Relationship Energy: The Role of Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, and Empathy","authors":"Channing R. Clemons-Castaños, Sharon M. Flicker","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70068","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study sought to address the gap in understanding polyamorous individuals' responses to their partner's New Relationship Energy (i.e., the excited giddiness of burgeoning intimate relationships) with another partner. Individuals who reported greater mindfulness were hypothesized to report less jealousy (through better emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and the undoing effect) and greater compersion (through empathy). Polyamorous participants (<i>N</i> = 122) were recruited online and anonymously completed surveys through Qualtrics. Mindfulness was associated with lower jealousy through greater emotion regulation, greater distress tolerance, and, to a lesser extent, the undoing effect. Mindfulness was also associated with greater compersion, but not through empathy. Findings may help researchers and clinicians better understand the range of reactions one might have to a partner's New Relationship Energy with another intimate partner and facilitate the development of interventions for individuals who desire to have a different emotional response.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144918841","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":"Profiles and Transitions of Adolescents' Differentiation of Self and Perceived Social Support: Associations With Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms","authors":"Yifan Li, Yingying Ye, Xima Yang, Jiali Huang, Zijian He, Zhengyi Liu, Xiao Zhou","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70063","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We aimed to investigate the coexistence, profiles, and transitions of differentiation of self (DoS) and perceived social support (PSS), and the associations between transitions and adolescents' loneliness and depressive symptoms. We surveyed 1342 adolescents (Age: <i>M</i> = 14.14, SD = 1.60) in November 2019 (T1), November 2020 (T2), and November 2021 (T3). We conducted cross-lagged panel modeling (CLPM), latent profile analysis (LPA) using dimensions of DoS (i.e., emotional reactivity, I position, emotional cutoff, fusion with others) and PSS (i.e., family, peers, and others), and random intercept latent transition analysis (RI-LTA). CLPM revealed that PSS influenced subsequent DoS. LPA and RI-LTA identified nine transitions between four profiles (Parallel Low DoS and PSS; Low I Position and PSS; Parallel High DoS and PSS; Low I Position and High PSS). Stable or decreasing DoS and PSS characterized risk for loneliness and depressive symptoms, whereas synchronic increasing of I position and PSS characterized risk for loneliness.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144894093","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}
José Ventura-León, Ammy Reyes, Pablo D. Valencia, Shirley Tocto-Muñoz, Goldie Gamboa-Melgar, Jonathan Ruiz-Castro, Cristopher Lino-Cruz
{"title":"Exploring Infidelity Behavior Patterns in a Sample of Peruvian Young Adults: A Latent Class Analysis","authors":"José Ventura-León, Ammy Reyes, Pablo D. Valencia, Shirley Tocto-Muñoz, Goldie Gamboa-Melgar, Jonathan Ruiz-Castro, Cristopher Lino-Cruz","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70066","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70066","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Infidelity has been widely researched; however, few studies have analyzed its behavioral patterns holistically using a person-centered approach. This study, with a sample of 400 young adults (<i>M</i><sub>age</sub> = 25.28; SD = 7.24), identified patterns of unfaithful behavior by using latent class analysis to classify subgroups with distinct patterns. The 20-item Likert-scale Multidimensional Infidelity Inventory-S (MII-S) was used to assess sexual and emotional infidelity. The results indicated four latent classes: infidelity (15.7%), sexual desire (14.4%), emotional interest (27.2%), and fidelity (42.5%). In addition, age and sex were significantly related to class membership. On the other hand, men were more likely to belong to the sexual desire class and women to the emotional interest and fidelity classes. For sexual orientation or relationship duration, there were no significant differences. Implications for clinical practice and research are discussed</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144885349","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}
Chichun Lin, Nate Fuks, Lukas Maitland, Haeon Kang
{"title":"Barriers to Systemic Therapy Services Among Transgender and Nonbinary Adults in Canada","authors":"Chichun Lin, Nate Fuks, Lukas Maitland, Haeon Kang","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70064","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Systemic therapies, including relational, couple, marriage, and family therapy services, play a key role in supporting transgender and nonbinary people who experience mental health and relational challenges. However, limited research studies have examined this population's barriers to accessing these therapy services. This study aimed to explore these barriers to enhance the cultural competence of relational and family therapists. This study involved 12 TNB adult participants in Canada. Regarding methodology, the semi-structured interviews were conducted via Zoom and recorded, and the interpretative phenomenological analysis was applied. The results included the following: (1) Challenges in finding competent and affirming therapists; (2) Geographic limitations; (3) Financial concerns; and (4) Systemic and institutional barriers to accessing RCMFT services. The results can be shared in teaching, supervision, workshops, and conference presentations to improve cultural competence and reduce the barriers.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jmft.70064","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144881047","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":"Estimating Dyad Level Processes in MFT Research: General Overview of the Common Fate Model and Extensions Into Mediation, Moderation, Growth, and Hybrid Models","authors":"Michael Fitzgerald","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70058","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Traditional statistical methods and models, such as linear regression, are commonly implemented in Couple/Marriage Family Therapy (C/MFT) research, yet these methods are intractable to answer dyadic and systemic questions. In the past 30 years, dyadic analysis has emerged to address such problems, and the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) is seemingly the default analysis. The APIM answers research questions related to mutual influence, but the APIM cannot answer questions at the dyad level (e.g., characteristics of the relationship). The common fate model (CFM) is well-suited to answer such questions. Due to the underutilization of the CFM in C/MFT research, the purpose of this article is to discuss the CFM and extensions into mediation, moderation, multilevel CFM (i.e., individual and dyad level effects) models, growth models, and hybrid models that combine the APIM with the CFM are discussed. Syntax in Mplus is provided as link to video demonstrations of each model.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869784","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}
Ana Carolina Soares Marinho, Camila Chagas, José Carlos Galduróz, Fernanda celeste de oliveira Martins Sassi, Erlei Sassi Junior, Francisco Lotufo Neto, Claudia Berlim de Mello
{"title":"New Strategies for Studies With Families in Borderline Personality Disorder: Challenges and Potentialities of the Use of Genogram","authors":"Ana Carolina Soares Marinho, Camila Chagas, José Carlos Galduróz, Fernanda celeste de oliveira Martins Sassi, Erlei Sassi Junior, Francisco Lotufo Neto, Claudia Berlim de Mello","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70065","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex condition characterized by emotional instability, interpersonal difficulties, and impulsivity. Although previous studies have explored the influence of family environment on BPD manifestation, methodological gaps remain in investigating these relationships, particularly in capturing multiple perspectives within the same family. This study proposes a methodological approach to compare dyads of patients and a family member using a genogram. The research involved 12 participants (6 patients and 6 family members), analyzing their perceptions of emotional family relationships (such as risk/protective factors) and symptom severity. The results of mixed methods indicated discrepancies between patients and family members regarding two categories of emotional relationships and risk behavior: “Distant/poor” and “Physical Abuse.” This study discusses other potential uses of the genogram for capturing nuances in family relationships and new possibilities for more effective therapeutic interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jmft.70065","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144861836","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}