Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with distress in and dissolution of romantic relationships. BPD is a relational disorder. The complex interaction between BPD and romantic relationships continues to warrant further attention, as decreased BPD symptoms are associated with increased relational effectiveness. The current study was one of the first qualitative studies that used dyadic data to examine the experience and impact of BPD on couples' relationships. Semi-structured conjoint interviews were conducted with couples with a partner with BPD (N = 10) using interpretative phenomenology. This study provides a rich understanding of the experiences of couples with BPD by exploring not only how BPD impacts couples' romantic relationships, but how couples cope with BPD. Although BPD was experienced as a relational stressor, couples utilized resources to buffer against the impact of BPD in their relationship. Three superordinate themes emerged from the data that illustrate the couple experience of navigating BPD: (a) the individual lived experience of BPD, (b) the shared experience of BPD as a relational stressor, and (c) adaptive dyadic coping in the context of BPD. Dyadic coping and shared externalization emerged as key factors in adaptive couple functioning in the context of BPD. The lived experiences of these couples provide therapists and other couples with an increased understanding of the resources and skills that support successful dyadic coping with BPD. / Master of Science / Borderline personality disorder (BPD) imposes significant stress on romantic relationships. BPD is associated with increased distress in and dissolution of romantic relationships. However, individuals in recovery from BPD report high relationship satisfaction. Decreased BPD symptoms are associated with increased relational effectiveness, but it is less clear whether reducing BPD symptoms leads to greater relational effectiveness or if relational effectiveness reduces symptoms of BPD. To better understand the complex relationship between BPD and romantic relationships, conjoint interviews were conducted with couples who were navigating the management of BPD. Ten semi-structured conjoint interviews were analyzed using interpretative phenomenology. Three themes emerged from the data that illustrate the couple experience of navigating BPD: (a) the individual lived experience of BPD, (b) the shared experience of BPD as a relational stressor, and (c) adaptive dyadic coping in the context of BPD. Dyadic coping and shared externalization emerged as key factors in adaptive couple functioning in the context of BPD. Couples navigating BPD benefit from many of the same couple coping strategies that other couples utilize to manage common stressors in life.

This study examined whether spirituality and dyadic coping protected partners from becoming psychologically aggressive toward each other using secondary, cross-sectional data from a sample of 104 couples living in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The model tested was based on Bodenmann's Systemic Transactional model (1997) and incorporated an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model approach (Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006). SEM results indicated that each partner's spirituality had a direct negative effect on their own psychological aggression, and a direct positive effect on their own supportive dyadic coping, and the couple's common dyadic coping. Each partner's spirituality also had an indirect effect on both partners' psychological aggression through increases in the couple's common dyadic coping. Supportive dyadic coping was not found to mediate the relation between spirituality and psychological aggression. Limitations of the study as well as clinical, programmatic, and research implications are discussed. / Master of Science

Il presente lavoro di ricerca si focalizza sul coping diadico, ovvero sulle modalità con cui partner affrontano come coppia, secondo la prospettiva di Guy Bodenmann (1997, 2000, 2005), le situazioni stressanti quotidiane. Primo obiettivo del presente lavoro di tesi è stato analizzare in un campione italiano (N = 778 partecipanti; cfr. Studio 1) la struttura fattoriale di uno strumento self-report messo a punto da Bodenmann (“Dyadic Coping Questionnaire”, Bodenmann, 1997, 2000) allo scopo di misurare la tendenza dei partner a mettere in atto diverse modalità di coping diadico. I risultati del primo studio confermano la struttura multifattoriale della scala, in linea con la teorizzazione di Bodenmann. In particolare si evince una più fine articolazione delle risposte di coping diadico positivo rispetto a quelle di coping diadico negativo. Nonostante l’importanza del coping per il benessere dei partner e della relazione (Bodenmann, Pihet, & Kaiser, 2006), poco si conosce dei possibili precursori di tale competenza relazionale. Secondo obiettivo del presente lavoro è stato dunque esaminare due delle possibili fonti dell’acquisizione del coping diadico da parte dei partner analizzando, in un campione composto da coppie in procinto di sposarsi e dai loro genitori (N = 764 partecipanti) se e quanto i partner fossero simili 1) ai loro rispettivi genitori e 2) tra loro per ciò che concerne la tendenza ad usare il coping diadico. Tali somiglianze sono inoltre state confrontate tra loro alla luce del processo di riallineamento caratteristico della fase della relazione che la coppia giovane sta attraversando (cfr. Studio 2). Due tipi di somiglianza sono stati presi in considerazione: la somiglianza unica e la somiglianza stereotipica, allo scopo di tenere in considerazione come il comune background culturale dei partecipanti possa influire sulle somiglianze esaminate. Somiglianza unica e stereotipica sono state qui considerate entrambe come portatrici di significato e sono state dunque esaminate parallelamente. Lo Studio 3 infine aveva l’ obiettivo di approfondire le somiglianze tra genitori e figli emerse nello studio precedente alla luce del genere del figlio, dal genere del genitore, e dalla valutazione da parte dei figli dei modelli di vita rappresentati dai loro genitori. I risultati hanno mostrato come sia le somiglianze tra figli e genitori sia tra i partner nella tendenza al coping diadico siano significative e come le somiglianze tra genitori e figli varino in funzione della dimensione di coping diadico considerata, del genere del figlio e del tipo di modello di coping diadico che i genitori rappresentano per i propri figli. Quanto emerso è stato inoltre discusso alla luce delle piste future di ricerca e implicazioni per l’intervento. / The present work is focused on dyadic coping, that is the way partners manage as a couple the stress they encounter in their everyday life (Bodenmann, 1997, 2000, 2005). The first objective of the present research was to examine in a sample of Italian couples (N = 778 participants) the factorial structure of a self-report instrument designed to measure partners’ dyadic coping tendency (Dyadic coping Questionnaire by Bodenmman, 1997, 2000). Findings from the first study of the present work confirmed the multidimensional nature of the scale, in line with Bodenmnann’s theory. In particular, it emerged a more detailed definition of positive dyadic coping responses, as compared to negative ones. Despite the importance of dyadic coping for the well-being of the relationship as well as of the partners themselves, little is known on how this competence originates. The second objective of the present research was then to explore two possible sources of dyadic coping acquisition by examining whether and how young adults prior to marriage were similar to 1) their parents and 2) their partners in their dyadic coping tendency (N = 764 participants). Moreover, similarities with parents and with partners were compared in light of the specific stage of the relationship partners were living (cfr. Study 2). Similarity was computed adopting an idiographic approach via intraclass correlations and stereotype adjustment was performed in order to take into account the impact of partners and parents shared cultural background on similarity. For the purpose of the present work both stereotypical and unique similarities were considered meaningful and then examined simultaneously. Study 3 was aimed at further exploring the parent-child similarities emerged from study 2 by assessing whether and how parent-child similarity in dyadic coping differed as a function of parents and children’s gender and whether they were associated with children’s perceptions of the kind of models their parents represented for their lives. Results highlight that both parent-child and partners’ similarities were significant and differently modulated as a function of the different dimensions of dyadic coping considered, children’s gender as well as the kind of dyadic coping models parents represented for their children. Future paths of research and implications for intervention were discussed.

This study examined the role that communication and coping skills play in the relation between stress and marital satisfaction in a community sample of 119 married, heterosexual couples in Italy. Hierarchical regression models were used to test for communication or coping skills as a moderator of the relation between an external or internal stressor and relationship satisfaction. Results from regression analyses showed that actor reports of both coping and communication significantly contributed to relationship satisfaction above and beyond contributions from external/internal stressors for both husbands and wives. There was a significant interaction effect of poor communication and internal stress on relationship satisfaction for both husbands and wives. There was also a significant interaction effect of coping skills and internal stress on relationship satisfaction for wives. Additionally, there was a significant interaction effect of husbands’ coping and wives’ internal stress on relationship satisfaction. Implications of these findings for prevention and intervention strategies for relationship distress and for further research are discussed.

abstract: Being married as an undergraduate student is uncommon, considering the average age people marry in the U.S. is 28-years-old. Given that the “traditional” undergraduate student is unmarried, being a married undergraduate student may be associated with the anticipation of stigma due to their marital status, which may be a stressful experience (hereafter-anticipated stigma stress) and have harmful effects on one’s well-being, particularly symptoms of anxiety. As such, it is important to identify ways in which romantic partners can help one another cope with this unique stressor by engaging in positive or negative dyadic coping (DC). Using cross-sectional data from 151 married undergraduate students, this project examined whether perceptions of partner’s positive and negative DC moderated the association between anticipated stigma stress and symptoms of anxiety. There was a significant main effect of anticipated stigma stress on anxiety, such that higher anticipated stigma stress was associated with greater symptoms of anxiety. Delegated DC moderated this association, such that when participants reported high levels of anticipated stigma stress, those who reported higher partner’s use of delegated DC also reported higher symptoms of anxiety as compared to those who reported low partner’s use of delegated DC. Implications for future research and mental health counselors are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Counseling 2017

abstract: Stress in romantic relationships is an all-too-common phenomenon that has detrimental effects on relationship well-being. Specifically, stress can increase partners’ negative interactions, ultimately decreasing effective communication and overall relationship functioning. Positive dyadic coping (DC) occurs when one partner assists the other in coping with stress (e.g. empathizing or helping the partner problem-solve solutions to their stress), and has been proposed as a method of buffering the deleterious effect of stress on interaction quality. One possible mechanism between the positive associations between DC and interaction quality could be how partners verbally express their support (e.g., more we-talk) during discussions about external stress. Using real-time interaction data from 40 heterosexual couples, this project examined whether observed positive and negative DC was associated with greater (or lesser) levels of perceived interaction quality. Further, language use (i.e., pronouns, emotion words, cognition words) was assessed as mediators in the associations between DC and interaction quality. Overall, results suggested that language did not mediate the effect of DC on interaction quality; however, there were several interesting links between DC, language, and interaction quality. Implications of these findings for relationship researchers and mental health clinicians working with couples are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Counseling 2017

This research aimed to provide an understanding into the experiences of counselling and clinical doctoral training on trainees and their partners. It was hoped that this would increase understanding would provide support for couples impacted by the doctoral programmes in managing the changes induced and maintaining relationship satisfaction. A mixed methods design was chosen to provide an empirical view of stress, dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction of trainees. It adopted a survey design and an analysis of the processes trainees and partners experience throughout the course as a couple through using a Grounded Theory approach. In total 50 trainees in clinical and counselling psychology took part in the survey study that measured perceived stress, dyadic coping and their relationship satisfaction. Data was analysed using regression analysis to explore relationships between the three constructs. The analysis revealed similarities between clinical and counselling trainees in terms of perceived stress, coping and relationship satisfaction. Regression analysis suggested trainees’ relationship satisfaction was predicted by number of children, communication of stress, length of relationship and length of time cohabiting. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with counselling doctoral trainees and partners. The interviews were transcribed and analysed in accordance with a constructivist version of grounded theory as developed by Charmaz (2006). The grounded theory study revealed a central storyline of 'a journey towards the light at the end of the tunnel' with the social process of striving for equilibrium. This referred to the journey participants experienced whilst the trainee was on the course and highlighted a process as trainees and partners moved through as they developed and adapted to their new lives. The idea of the course being temporary was a thread through the model as participants worked through the stresses whilst focusing on the finishing line at the end of the course. Conflicts arose with participants with children who appeared to undergo a strengthened version of the model. This research provided implications for further specialised support for trainees and partners undergoing the doctoral programmes. It hoped to highlight the difficulties and strengths couples endure on the programme and provides implications for universities and personal therapists to offer systemic support for couples to manage the processes together, making the adjustment process more seamless and meaningful to the couple.

No description available.

Stress has traditionally been conceptualized as an intrapsychic phenomenon with detrimental effects on one's physiological and psychological health when coping resources are perceived to be inadequate (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984). However, empirical findings from the past three decades suggest that stressful life events have crossover effects from one person to another, namely from one romantic partner to the other (Bodenmann et al., 2006). Hence, stress experienced in the context of romantic relationships is now better understood as an interpersonal phenomenon with potential negative interpersonal (i.e., relationship satisfaction) and intrapersonal ramifications (i.e., mental health) for both partners (Papp & Witt, 2010; Randall & Bodenmann, 2009; Rusu et al., 2016). Due to the interdependent nature of couple relationships, romantic partners engage in a joint stress management process called dyadic coping in an attempt to restore individual and relational homeostasis, and buffer against these negative consequences (Bodenmann et al., 2006). Emerging research has found that common dyadic coping (CDC), which is a specific form of dyadic coping that occurs when both partners conjointly work together towards mitigating or resolving stressors experienced as a dyad, is the most salient form of dyadic coping for couples facing stressors (Falconier et al., 2015). The romantic attachment framework has provided valuable direction to researchers in their understanding of couples coping with stress as insecure romantic attachment is well-known to interfere with adequate coping (Mikulincer & Shaver, 2016). Given that romantic attachment has been found to be a predictor of relationship functioning and protective factor against mental health disorders (Cassidy & Shaver, 2016; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2016), researchers have been increasingly focused on studying the mechanisms by which they are related. While few studies have examined dyadic coping within a romantic attachment framework (Alves et al., 2019; Fuenfhausen & Cashwell, 2013; Levesque et al., 2017; Levey, 2003; Meuwly et al., 2012), far fewer have narrowed the focus to the ways in which CDC may explain the development of interpersonal (i.e., relationship satisfaction) and intrapersonal outcomes (i.e., mental health) using dyadic data analyses. The unique nature of CDC therefore necessitates research elucidating its role in these links within and between romantic partners. Therefore, the present thesis expands the existing literature on CDC through a romantic attachment lens in two independent yet complimentary studies. The objective of the first study was to evaluate how CDC mediates the relationship between insecure romantic attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and relationship satisfaction among couples in good health sampled from the community. The objective of the second study was to examine the potential mediational effects of CDC on the association between insecure romantic attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and mental health indicators of depression and anxiety among couples in which one partner has a diagnosis of cardiac illness. The first study was an investigation of the interpersonal process of CDC as a potential mediator of the association between insecure romantic attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance) and relationship satisfaction. The sample consisted of 187 heterosexual couples (N = 374 individuals) from the community. An Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) was used to assess actor, partner, and direct and indirect effects. Results revealed that the higher men were on attachment avoidance, the less likely they and their partner were to engage in joint coping efforts, which in turn appeared to make men less satisfied with their romantic relationship. However, the degree to which avoidantly attached women felt satisfied with their romantic relationship was solely influenced by their own CDC. Results also showed that the higher men and women were on attachment avoidance, the less they engaged in joint coping efforts, which in turn made them less satisfied with their relationship. Results also revealed that the higher men (but not women), were on attachment anxiety, the less they engaged in CDC, which in turn made men less satisfied with their relationship. Lastly, the higher men were on attachment avoidance (but not women), the less their partner engaged in joint coping efforts, which in turn made men less satisfied with their relationship. In the second study, we examined the potential mediational effects of CDC on the relationship between insecure romantic attachment (i.e., attachment anxiety and avoidance) and mental health outcomes (i.e., depression and anxiety). The sample consisted of 181 patients and their spouses (N = 362 individuals), where one of the partners had received a cardiac diagnosis. An APIMeM was used to test hypothesized relations. While the hypothesized mediations were not confirmed, our results provide partial support to the tested model since patient and spouse attachment anxiety were significantly related to their own mental health. Results also showed that patient and spouse attachment avoidance were associated both with their own and their partner's CDC.

No description available.