Michael Becerra, Isabel Cristina Bernal Vélez, Mireya Ospina Botero
{"title":"A Narrative Study on the Role of Colombian Uncles in Family Dynamics","authors":"Michael Becerra, Isabel Cristina Bernal Vélez, Mireya Ospina Botero","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70019","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This narrative study examines Colombian uncles’ significant roles in family dynamics, filling a gap in understanding their impact within extended family structures. Through qualitative interviews with 30 families, narrative inquiry captures uncles’ contributions to emotional support, cultural transmission, mentorship, and family cohesion. Participants aged 20–60 describe uncles as mentors, cultural custodians, and emotional anchors, especially when parents are absent. Narrative analysis through thematic coding highlights uncles’ roles in fostering resilience, transmitting heritage, and reinforcing family bonds. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating extended family roles in family therapy to offer culturally sensitive support, providing new insights into Latin American family dynamics and uncles’ influence on younger members’ development and well-being.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143749283","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}
Anna Luiza Ribas, Mariana P. Miranda, Emerson Araújo Do Bú
{"title":"Explaining the Mental Health Consequences of Internalized Racial Oppression: The Mediating Roles of Family Resilience and Collective Action","authors":"Anna Luiza Ribas, Mariana P. Miranda, Emerson Araújo Do Bú","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70015","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70015","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Racial oppression's institutional and interpersonal levels have had a substantial amount of empirical attention. Internalized racial oppression (IRO) and the paths through which it negatively impacts mental health have received considerably lesser attention. In this cross-sectional study with 226 self-identified Black participants, we focus on colonial mentality, as a form of IRO, and its association to depression. We argue that this detrimental effect happens because IRO limits the access to social identity resources, at both levels of the family system and wider society. The results revealed that the communication/problem-solving dimension of family resilience mediated the effect of colonial mentality on depression. Support for the Black Lives Matter movement, a measure for collective action, was also a significant mediator but was, however, positively associated with depression. This study is the first to quantitatively assess IRO's consequences on the mental health of Black individuals in a postcolonial European country. We discuss clinical implications.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143663685","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":"Exploring Gender Minority Stress and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide: A Path Analysis of Suicidality Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse People","authors":"Quintin A. Hunt, Christopher S. Parkin","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70011","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jmft.70011","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Extant research shows that transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals are at an increased risk for suicide. However, the mechanisms of TGD suicidality are not fully understood. This study investigated the role of external gender minority stressors and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in understanding TGD suicidality. Participants were 264 TGD adults aged 18–76 (<i>M</i> = 26.5, SD = 10.6), majority being White (64%), and nonbinary (71%), who completed a one-time clinical battery. Findings revealed that gender-related victimization and nonaffirmation of gender identity were positively related to suicide ideation through the mediating variable of perceived burdensomeness (PB). Additionally, nonaffirmation significantly moderated the negative relationship between gender-related rejection and suicide ideation. These findings emphasize the need for interventions that target feelings of brokenness and burdensomeness. Clinicians, policymakers, and researchers must work collaboratively to create affirming environments that reduce PB, foster resilience, and ultimately prevent suicide among TGD populations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143663689","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}
Kleanthis Neophytou, Viktorija Cepukiene, Ecem Yakın, Souheil Hallit, Elizabeth Skowron
{"title":"Measuring Differentiation of Self Within the Greek Culture: Theoretical and Psychometric Validation of a Greek Short Form of the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised","authors":"Kleanthis Neophytou, Viktorija Cepukiene, Ecem Yakın, Souheil Hallit, Elizabeth Skowron","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70012","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Further to its US source culture, the systemic construct of <i>differentiation of self</i> (DoS) has been empirically validated in China, Cyprus, Iran, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. DoS has consistently correlated with various psychological adjustment indices, including marital and familial adjustment. The 46-item Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R) is the global standard for assessing DoS, but only US-developed short forms (SF) exist. This study introduces a two-stage process to validate a 20-item SF of the Greek DSI-R. Initial stage involved shortening the Greek DSI-R based on EFA (Sample 1; <i>N</i> = 502), followed by iterative CFAs (Sample 2; <i>N</i> = 335). Final model maintained the original four-factor structure with good to very good internal consistencies, and a strong correlation with the original DSI-R (<i>r</i> = 0.95, <i>p</i> < 0.001). We relabeled the Fusion with Others subscale to Fusion with Parents to reflect potential cultural differences with the West and similarities with China. The Greek DSI-R SF offers a tool for systemic cross-cultural research, clinical assessment, treatment planning and progress, and therapeutic use.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jmft.70012","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143645777","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}
Jared R. Anderson, Brady C. Eisert, Ju Ann Kim, Hamidreza Fereidouni, Maria F. Portillo, Moloud Sivandian, Paul Zehr
{"title":"Forty Years of Couple Therapy Process Research and We Are Still Just Getting Started: A Review of Quantitative Research","authors":"Jared R. Anderson, Brady C. Eisert, Ju Ann Kim, Hamidreza Fereidouni, Maria F. Portillo, Moloud Sivandian, Paul Zehr","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70013","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Can empirical research guide clinicians in how to conduct effective couple therapy? While we know that couple therapy works, understanding the mechanisms of action—how and why it works—has been the focus of research for several decades. Using Doss's framework for understanding the key components of the change process—therapy change processes, client change processes, mediators, and outcomes—we reviewed 48 quantitative couple therapy process studies over a 40-year period. The results reveal a fragmented knowledge base. No single study examines the entire process of change, and although several findings show promise, none have been replicated. Additionally, only a limited number of hypothesized associations achieved statistical significance, with neither theory nor empirical evidence adequately explaining why some hypotheses were supported while others were not. Current couple therapy process research <i>cannot</i> yet guide clinicians on <i>how</i> to conduct effective therapy. Until it does, the divide between research and practice will persist.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143595348","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}
Aimee Hubbard, Steven Harris, Chalandra M. Bryant, Rachel Rineman, Doneila McIntosh
{"title":"Identifying Informal Help-Seeking Patterns in African American Couples","authors":"Aimee Hubbard, Steven Harris, Chalandra M. Bryant, Rachel Rineman, Doneila McIntosh","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70008","url":null,"abstract":"<p>While African American couples are less likely to seek formal resources, such as couples therapy, that does not mean they do not seek relationship support. The literature suggests that informal or community resources play a large role in supporting African American couples. Yet, up to this point, quantitative research has yet to identify specific factors that increase informal couple help-seeking for African Americans. To address this gap, we examine how discrimination, racial identity, and religiosity are associated with informal couple help-seeking. We use two distinct types of common informal couple help-seeking (1) seeking help from a religious community and (2) seeking help from family and friends. Our study also attends to a meaningful aspect of couple help-seeking—relationship interdependence—via an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM). Our findings highlight the importance of informal resources in supporting African American relationships and the interdependent nature of couple help-seeking.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jmft.70008","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143595349","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}
José Ventura-León, Shirley Tocto-Muñoz, Cristopher Lino-Cruz, Andy Rick Sánchez-Villena, Renzo Martinez-Munive, Karim Talledo-Sánchez, Kenia Casiano-Valdivieso
{"title":"Myths of Romantic Love, Negative Interactions, Relationship Involvement, Satisfaction, Infidelity, and Jealousy in Peruvian Individuals With Couples: Directed and Undirected Network Analysis","authors":"José Ventura-León, Shirley Tocto-Muñoz, Cristopher Lino-Cruz, Andy Rick Sánchez-Villena, Renzo Martinez-Munive, Karim Talledo-Sánchez, Kenia Casiano-Valdivieso","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70014","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study investigates the complex relationships among myths of romantic love, satisfaction, jealousy, infidelity, and involvement in romantic relationships using both undirected and directed network analyses. A Gaussian Graphical Model and a Directed Acyclic Graph were employed to explore these interconnections in a sample of young Peruvian individuals in romantic relationships (<i>n</i> = 386). Results indicate that satisfaction emerges as a key starting point in the directed network, influencing involvement, infidelity, and jealousy. Satisfaction and involvement are central nodes in the undirected network, shaping overall relationship dynamics. The study also reveals that unrealistic beliefs about love and idealized expectations are associated with negative interactions and lower satisfaction, which in turn relates to higher infidelity and jealousy. These findings suggest that strengthening satisfaction may play a crucial role in mitigating negative interaction patterns and fostering healthier relationships.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143534014","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}
Apollonia Helena Pudelko, Brenda Ramos, Marianne Emond, Katherine Péloquin, Marie-Ève Daspe
{"title":"Is Our Attachment Hurting Us? Unraveling the Associations Between Partners' Attachment Pairings, Negative Emotions During Conflict, and Intimate Partner Violence","authors":"Apollonia Helena Pudelko, Brenda Ramos, Marianne Emond, Katherine Péloquin, Marie-Ève Daspe","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70009","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Attachment insecurities and heightened negative emotions during conflict are significant risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). Previous research mainly examined each partner's attachment separately and overlooked negative emotions as a mechanism in the attachment–IPV link. This dyadic observational study conducted among 178 young adult couples examined (1) the interplay between both partners' attachment (i.e., pairings) in association with their IPV perpetration and (2) the contribution of negative emotions during a conflict discussion in these associations. Results revealed that one's avoidance was positively linked with their IPV only when their partner showed low levels of avoidance. One's avoidance was also indirectly associated with their own IPV through their own negative emotions, and to their partner's IPV via their partner's negative emotions. Finally, one's anxiety was indirectly linked with their own IPV through their own negative emotions. Findings support prevention and intervention strategies for IPV that target attachment and negative emotions.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jmft.70009","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143404448","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":"Relational Teaching in Mental Health Education: A 20-Year Narrative Review","authors":"Kelly Duggan Shearer, Zephon D. Lister","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70010","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Relational teaching emphasizes the development of the student in the context of the teacher-student relationship. Given that the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT) emphasizes relationships as central to the discipline, relational teaching practices provide an approach for MFT educators to train relationally attuned, socially just clinicians. We conducted a narrative review of published research from 2003 to 2023 on the conceptualization and application of a relational teaching framework in mental health clinical education programs. After screening, a total of 25 articles were identified for analysis. Four themes were identified within the literature: (1) <i>using isomorphism to teach relational skills</i>, (2) <i>addressing power</i>, (3) <i>course application</i>, and (4) <i>obstacles to implementation</i>. The findings of this study suggest that applying a relational framework to MFT education capitalizes on systemic concepts of isomorphism and social justice, conceptualizing the teacher-student relationship as a means to train students in relational processes that are essential in therapeutic relationships.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143404449","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":"“As Therapists, We Get to Be Quietly Subversive”: A Qualitative Exploration of CFTs' Social Justice Practices","authors":"Laura A. Golojuch, Amy A. Morgan, Mona Mittal","doi":"10.1111/jmft.70006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.70006","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Scholars from counseling fields have long urged therapists to recognize the moral imperative of promoting justice and co-creating a more equitable society. Because of their systemic lens, couple, and family therapists (CFTs) are uniquely poised to create systemic change. Scholars in the CFT field have underscored the importance of social justice for decades. However, little empirical evidence exists in the CFT field on how social justice is being prioritized. Using Freire's critical consciousness, this study explores CFT's social justice practices utilizing a national sample of CFTs (<i>n</i> = 22). This study investigates how participants define social justice, develop critical consciousness, address oppression, and practice advocacy. Clinical implications for CFTs to provide culturally responsive services and improve advocacy are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":16320,"journal":{"name":"Journal of marital and family therapy","volume":"51 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jmft.70006","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143111513","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}