Clinicians and researchers question how pornography might be impacting the people who view it and their partners. In particular, does pornography link to couples attachment and levels of aggression? Using data collected by the RELATE institute a sophisticated structural equation model was set up to answer this question. In particular, an actor partner interdependence model was used to analyze the relationship among male pornography use, insecure attachment behaviors, relational aggression, and physical aggression in 1630 heterosexual couples. Results indicate higher reports of male pornography use are associated with higher reports of insecure attachment behaviors, relational aggression, and physical aggression. Differences between male and female results, including a direct relationship between male pornography use and male and female insecure attachment behaviors as well as female physical aggression, are discussed. Findings add to current literature on the impact pornography has on individuals and their partners. Implications for clinicians are discussed.

Self-regulation in the context of a relationship, described as relationship "work," is a powerful predictor of relationship satisfaction. Identifying individual characteristics that predict the practice of relationship self-regulation (RSR) can inform clinical and couple relationship education interventions. Anxious and avoidant attachment have been linked to shortcomings in self-regulation in various contexts, and were hypothesized to be negatively associated to individual practice of RSR; neuroticism, a personality trait characterized by negative emotionality, was also hypothesized to be negatively related to RSR. Neuroticism was also tested as a moderator of the relationship between attachment and RSR. Data from first-married men (589) and women (912) taking the RELATE online questionnaire was used in correlational and OLS multiple regression analyses to test hypotheses and a research question. Bi-variate correlations for all predictor variables and RSR were negative and statistically significant for women and men. Regression analyses echoed those associations. Moderated multiple regression analyses testing a moderator effect of neuroticism were significant for anxious attachment and RSR, but not for avoidant attachment. Results are interpreted as support for the theoretical model tested.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a family-centered parenting program for culturally diverse high-risk families using science-based curricula and evaluation tools. Despite the evidence supporting the effectiveness of parenting education, there are still limitations to the current body of knowledge. Research has been conducted primarily with middle-class European American mothers. Less is known about parenting education with culturally and economically diverse families. In addition, much of the additional research targeted well-functioning families. High-risk families are less likely to participate in parenting programs and research studies. Most programs do not use evidence-based curricula or conduct evaluations using valid reliable measures. Last, most programs work solely with the parent and do not have a family-centered approach. Including children suggests the entire family learns together and has a better opportunity to build family cohesion. This study utilized a science-based curricula parenting program for at-risk families. The sample population included 31% Caucasian, 2% Hispanic, 66% Native American, and 1% of other races combined. Quantitative data reflected that overall parenting scores increased in both target and control groups based on the scores from pretest to posttest with a t score of 0.459 for the target group and 0.346 for the control group. Overall, the program was successful, and the applied dissertation effectively met each of the 6 outcomes. Nonprofit organizations should review the findings of this applied dissertation to develop more programs that incorporate science-based curricula to address the parenting needs of those who are high risk.