Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 47-49). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR45959

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 58-63). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR45956

Thesis--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 60-66).

Thesis--Auburn University, 2005. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (leaves 59-69).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009. / Title from title screen (site viewed March 2, 2010). PDF text: iv, 90 p. ; 2 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3386753. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Sixteen couples in which one of the partners met criteria for Somatoform Disorder or Undifferentiated Somatoform Disorder as determined by the SOMS and who scored less than or equal to 101 on the Dyadic Adjustment Scale participated in this study. These couples were randomly assigned to 8 sessions of emotionally focused therapy or to a 12-week wait list condition. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of emotion focused therapy as a treatment of somatoform disorders. Results suggest that the intervention of emotion focused couples therapy (EFT) was not effective in the treatment of somatoform disorders. A significant effect (.023) was found in the increased reporting of symptoms at posttest. Implications for EFT and marriage and family therapy are discussed. / Ph. D.

Marriage prevention and enhancement programs are vital to the future of society due to their expanded ability to reach many couples that might not otherwise seek help in building the tools necessary for a successful relationship. Because marital distress has been related to many negative long-term health and emotional consequences, preventing these damaging outcomes is a rising priority for psychologists and the health care field. In this study, 55 couples started a secondary marital enhancement and prevention program called SUCCES. The SUCCES program merges multiple interventions from distinct empirically supported couples treatments within a conceptually pluralistic framework. Cognitive behavioral skills development as well as insight and emotion-focused couples therapy techniques are interwoven with each other in the program. Thirty-two couples completed the 9-week intervention and the six-month follow-up assessment period. Although there was no control group, repeated-measures MANOVAs yielded positive results when assessing increases in interpersonal functioning. Couples who participated in the program reported higher levels of satisfaction in broad and specific areas of their relationship upon completion. In addition, couples reported fewer relationship problem areas and an increased quality of life. Almost all increases remained significant at six-month follow-up. These positive initial findings suggest the potential efficacy of the SUCCES program and the importance of future controlled outcome studies to validate its clinical utility.

Individuals with LGBTQ+ identities face discrimination and bigotry, components of their minority status stress, often on a daily basis (Meyer, 2003). Elevated levels of minority stress have been negatively associated with relationship satisfaction (e.g. Rostosky, 2007), such that as minority stress increases, relationship satisfaction often decreases as well. This is an examination of the relationship between general stress, identity-related stress, minority stress, and relationship satisfaction for sexual/gender minority and heterosexual, cisgender individuals who were currently in couple relationships lasting 6 months or longer. All participants completed the Romantic Perceptions Survey, Gender Relations Scale, and Daily Hassles Scale – Short Form. The LGBTQ+ participants also completed the LGBT Minority Stress Measure. I conducted t-test comparisons to examine group differences between heterosexual, cisgender participants and LGBTQ+ participants on relationship satisfaction, identity-related stress, and general stress. The LGBTQ+ and participants exhibited significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction, general stress, and self-rated identity-related stress than did heterosexual, cisgender participants. I also conducted two hierarchical linear regressions to determine how general stress and identity related stress impacted relationship satisfaction for heterosexual, cisgender participants, and how general stress, identity related stress, and minority stress impacted relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ couples. Results of the hierarchical linear regressions were interpreted and found that general and self-rated identity-related stressors in combination predicted relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ participants, and general stress alone best predicted relationship satisfaction for heterosexual, cisgender participants. Specific minority status stress did not further contribute to the explanation of relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ participants. Results are discussed in terms of implications for research and practice.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a chronic relapsing disease that afflicts 10% of the US population. Recidivism rates for SUD treatment in the United States (US) remain high. Couple therapy has be shown to be an effective treatment modality for SUD, and research consistently indicates that couple therapy is more effective than individual therapy in treating SUD. Still, most US treatment centers do not use couple therapy as a primary treatment modality. To explore the underuse of couple therapy and the barriers that prevent its use, individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty (N = 20) clinical directors of SUD treatment centers across the US. A theoretical thematic analysis was used incorporating Everett Rogers’ diffusion of innovations theory to assess barriers that hinder the use of couple therapy to treat SUD in addiction treatment centers. Issues related to observability, compatibility, and complexity of couple treatment were found to severely impede the implementation of couple therapy in addiction treatment centers. Recommendations include ongoing research to determine influences on agency programming, fostering pro-research environments in universities and agencies, removing barriers to access to evidence-based practice information, and promoting the federal initiative of technology transfer in SUD treatment. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This study is a two part study of the experiences of women participating in conjoint treatment for domestic violence. The participants in the first part of the study included 11 clients, from whom information was gathered in 25 interviews. The second part of the study focused on three women. Their opinions were garnered in five interviews. Five of the women were in multi-couple group therapy and nine participated in from four to twelve sessions of conjoint couple therapy with their partners. This study focused on how female partners of male batterers experienced strength-based focused couples therapy as part of a research and development project for couples treatment of domestic violence. The concepts of safety, responsibility for the violence, power and control, validation and empowerment guided the researcher. The women related that having two therapists and pre- and post-session check-ins contributed to their sense of safety. Although the women reported that their mate taking responsibility for the violence was important, they thought the therapy's focus on their strengths kept their mates committed to attending therapy sessions. Women, who reported that their mates were taking more responsibility for their actions, attributed the change to their therapists being persistent in discussing the various forms of abusive behavior and in stressing accountability for individual behavior. Most of the women indicated that talking about what they had experienced and that gaining support from therapists and group members increased their power and ability to focus on their own needs. Women in the study stressed the importance of having some form of follow-up support to be able to practicing new skills with their partners. Based on the recommendations of the women in this study, the treatment of domestic violence should provide women safe outlets for expressing their feelings, acknowledgment of their experience and tools for resolving the conflicts in their relationship. / Master of Science