abstract: Effective communication plays a major role in the psychological adjustment and quality of the relationship of couples coping with cancer, yet only a few communicative behaviors have been examined in the context of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. This study sought to expand the extant literature by describing a wider range of communicative behaviors (beyond the frequently researched withdraw, disclosure/holding back, and avoidance behaviors) through an observable measure, as previous research has relied heavily on self-report. Couples (134 cancer patients and their caregiving partners) were video-taped discussing a cancer-related concern in the laboratory. Discussions were coded separately for patients and caregivers using the Asymmetrical Behavioral Coding System which captures 22 communicative behaviors. These behaviors contribute to four higher-level scales: positive approach, negative approach, positive avoidance, and negative avoidance. Area under the curve was calculated to describe each factor. The most frequently observed behavior was positive approach, followed by negative avoidance, negative approach, and positive avoidance. Paired samples t-test analyses examining the factors by moderating variables revealed that women engaged in more positive approach behaviors than did men; men engaged in more avoidant behaviors (both positive and negative) than did women; and caregivers engaged in more avoidant behaviors (both positive and negative) than did patients. Findings are consistent with prior research in the field and suggest consideration of tailoring possible future interventions. Further investigation is needed to assess possible interactional effects to ultimately help couples better communicate about the challenges associated with cancer treatment and recovery. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Counseling Psychology 2020

The diploma thesis deals with art-philetics with a focus on the process of couple communication. Art-philetics is a developing field with a relatively stable theoretical foundation. However, no one has so far studied the usage of art-philetics in couple communication. This topic deserves to be paid due attention, since couple relationships are the foundation for a stable family system and also present a model for children - our future generation. Communication is one of the most fundamental tools for having a satisfying relationship. The objective of the thesis is to explore and analyse the processes that facilitate communication. The underlying research also examines the following hypothesis: art-philetics, with a special focus on communication, can be applied when working with couples. The target group is married couples with children. In order to achieve my the desired goal, a detailed project of a qualitative research in the form of two case studies has been devised. Data come from observation, discussions and reflections, and are then analysed. The results are verified using a questionnaire collecting the subjective views of the couples. The cornerstone of the thesis is the theoretical part. It contains an explanation of the concepts and processes of art-philetics and communication. Special...

[pt] A inserção da mulher de classe média/alta no mercado de trabalho, sua busca por realização profissional e independência financeira transformaram, definitivamente, a antiga divisão sexual do trabalho. O dinheiro da mulher no casamento contemporâneo é um marco essencial nas mudanças que ocorreram nas relações afetivo-sexuais da segunda metade do século XX em diante. E é, por isso, que a análise das tomadas de decisão financeira de um casal pode-nos oferecer informações importantes sobre as relações de poder, desigualdade e manifestações de individualidade de cada um de seus membros. Especialmente, entre recém-casados, foco de nossa pesquisa, em que a formação dessa negociação acontece de formas diferentes, envolvendo valores aprendidos nas famílias de origem. Compreender a(s) conseqüência(s) de tais mudanças nos relacionamentos conjugais entre homens e mulheres é de fundamental importância para os avanços nos estudos sobre conjugalidade no Brasil, ainda carente de pesquisas específicas sobre dinheiro e casamento. A presente pesquisa trata do impacto do dinheiro da mulher no casamento contemporâneo e de como a construção das regras nas decisões financeiras são percebidas, vividas, definidas ou, mesmo, questionadas por ela. Para tal, realizamos um estudo exploratório com 12 mulheres recém-casadas ou recém-morando junto, entre seis meses e três anos de união, estando ambos os membros do casal em seus primeiros casamentos, trabalhando remuneradamente, sem filhos e pertencentes à classe média/alta carioca. Seus discursos revelaram que as mulheres reconhecem no trabalho remunerado a possibilidade de possuírem autonomia em suas decisões e de definirem e colocarem em prática hobbies e gostos pessoais. Além disso, a maioria de nossas entrevistadas se diz organizada com o próprio dinheiro, muitas vezes, sendo ela quem exerce o controle e o planejamento financeiro do casal. E de fato, sua autonomia em relação ao próprio dinheiro está mais ligada a assumir a sua administração, do que simplesmente ganhá-lo. Percebemos isso, pois apenas duas de nossas entrevistadas delegam aos maridos o gerenciamento do dinheiro, perdendo poder de barganha naquilo que consideram prioridades pessoais. / [en] The inserction of the middle and upper class woman into the labor market, her search for professional realization and financial independency definitely transformed the traditional work division among couples. The woman`s money in the contemporary marriage is an essential mark that led to changes in the way couples live together since the half of the 20th century. And that`s why an analysis of the financial decision making process in couples is so important to give us information about the power relations, differences and individual characteristics of regular wife and husband. Specially in a just-married couple, objective of our research, where the development and negotiation of these behaviors begins, taking into account each side`s familiar values. To understand the consequence of these changes in the husband/wife relation is key to understand marriage itself. And that subject lacks of studies here in Brazil. This research aims to understand these woman`s money impact in the contemporary marriage. How the couple defines its rules, how they are accepted and questioned upon. The method used consisted of an interview of twelve women that had recently got into living together with someone (from 6 months to 3 years), not necessarily through marriage. To be eligible for the interview both husband and wife had to be on their first marriage, both working, no kids and be part of the middle class or above. Their speeches revealed that women see the remunerated work a way of acquiring autonomy in their decisions and a possibility to develop personal hobbies. Besides that, the majority of the interviewed women says that she is organized with their own money, being, most of the times, her who controls and plans the finances of the couple. In fact, their autonomy is more linked to assume its planning than to simply earn it. That was noticed, since only two of the interviewed women delegate to their husbands the management of their money, what causes them to lose priority on how to decide the way money is going to be spent.