Romantic disengagement is a disturbingly prevalent yet understudied cause of marital distress and dissolution. Existing research on disengagement has been primarily descriptive and limited by reliance on retrospective reports from already disengaged spouses. Theoretically informed prospective research to elucidate the process through which some spouses become increasingly disengaged from their partners over time is necessary to facilitate clinical intervention efforts. Thus the purpose of this research was to propose a theoretically informed model of the process of romantic disengagement and then to perform preliminary tests of pieces of the model. The model was tested in a sample of 103 married couples assessed six times over their first seven years of marriage. Pieces of the model that were tested included (1) the implication that avoidant and disengaging behaviors toward one's partner, particularly during times of need or increased stress (such as marital conflict interactions), are indicators of a process of romantic disengagement, (2) that predispositional and contextual factors interact to predict a spouse's greater tendency to behave avoidantly during couple interactions, and (3) that spouses tendency to be more avoidant with his or her partner later in marriage will be greater to the extent that avoidance is reinforced early in marriage. First, I examined whether avoidant behavior during marital conflict contributes to a process of romantic disengagement as evidenced by declines in trust and intimacy and declines in marital satisfaction. Consistent with hypotheses, I found higher conflict avoidance was associated with declines in trust and intimacy and declines in marital satisfaction. Second, I tested two predispositional (i.e., spouses' attachment avoidance and avoidant coping style) and two contextual factors (spouses' role during support interactions, and the partner's negative affect) that were expected to interact to predict whether spouses behave avoidantly during specific couple interactions. I found mixed support for hypotheses depending on spouse and interaction type. Specifically, during conflict interactions, husbands and wives with higher attachment avoidance, and wives with more avoidant coping styles, behaved more avoidantly to the extent that their partners were higher in negative affect. During supportive transactions, husbands with more avoidant coping styles were more disengaged to the extent that their wives were higher in negative affect. Third, I tested my hypothesis that a spouse will be more avoidant with his or her partner later in marriage to the extent that avoidance is reinforced early in marriage. I found partial support for this hypothesis. Husbands' disengagement during conflict interactions interacted with improved mood post-interaction to predict husbands' disengagement across interactions at 7 years of marriage. In summary, this research presents an integrated theoretical model of romantic disengagement and provides preliminary support for aspects of the model.

The beneficial effects of religion and spiritual factors on cardiovascular functioning have become an area of increasing research. Similarly, considerable research has also investigated the negative effects of marital distress on cardiovascular functioning. Little is known, however, about potential protective factors against the deleterious effects of marital distress on cardiovascular functioning. Social support has been identified as a potential buffer against the negative effects of marital distress on ambulatory blood pressure, and the current study hypothesized that spirituality, religiosity, and religious support would also buffer the negative effects of marital distress on ambulatory blood pressure. Fifty-eight married couples were recruited from both marital therapists and the community surrounding Brigham Young University. Participants wore ambulatory blood pressure monitors for 24 hours and completed questionnaires which measure marital distress, spirituality, religiosity, religious support and social support. It was found that for normotensive individuals (SBP < 120) spirituality, religious support, and social support have an additive effect of lowering blood pressure on individuals with high marital quality. No effect was found for spirituality, religiosity, or religious support buffering the negative effects of marital distress on ambulatory blood pressure. It was also found that men and women view the relationships between religiosity and social support, and religious support and social support differently. Specifically, social support is more highly related to religiosity and religious support in women compared to men. It appears that for happily-married individuals, spirituality, religious support and social support have an additive effect in lowering blood pressure.

Latinas/os are reported to be the fastest growing ethnic minority in the United States, with a large percentage being newly arrived immigrants. Previous research has found that many migrate in phases, with the father leaving the family behind or both parents migrating and leaving children in the care of family members. Separations from parental figures have been found to lead to psychosocial, psychological, and educational problems. Additional challenges of immigrants include acculturative stress, lack of social support, attachment problems, poverty, discrimination, unemployment, and marital distress. The purpose of this study was to inquire if immigrant variables (attachment, acculturative stress, and social supports) in Mexican and Central American immigrants who were separated from their primary caregivers as children predict marital distress. A total of 92 participants completed either the online questionnaire via Survey Monkey or paper surveys in person. A quantitative methodology, correlational multiple regression model was used in order to investigate the research questions and hypotheses. The results from the current study showed a statistically significant finding that the attachment style and acculturative stress in Mexican and Central American immigrants predicted marital distress. However, there was no statistically significant finding that social support predicted marital distress. Findings from this study can promote a deeper understanding to marriage counselors regarding attachment, social support, acculturative stress, and separation factors that can affect immigrant couples. It may also have implications for immigration policy and promote the establishment of reunification programs in communities where immigrant populations reside.

SOCIAL SUPPORT AS A BUFFER OF ACCULTURATIVE STRESS: A STUDY OF MARITAL DISTRESS AMONG UNDOCUMENTED, MEXICAN IMMIGRANT MEN by Douglas Costa de Andrade Ribeiro Immigration trends in the United States have changed drastically in the last 20 years. Starting in the 1990’s the majority of immigrants have originated from Latin American, with most emigrating from Mexico. Men, some of whom are undocumented, have driven this new wave of immigrants. These new Mexican immigrants have bypassed traditional receiving sites across the U.S. Mexican border and settled in non-traditional sites in the southern U.S. (Kiang, Grzywacz, Marin, Arcury, and Quandt, 2010). They face increased difficulties adjusting to life in the U.S. due to separation from family and spouses, lack of established social support networks in the U.S., and marginalization. Difficulties adapting to a new culture combined with lack of social support have been associated with significant mental health problems in this population (Hiott, Grzywacz, Arcury, & Quandt, 2006). This study explored the relationship between acculturative stress and marital satisfaction, as well as the protective (buffering) role of social support in a sample of 125 undocumented, married, Mexican American men. The following instruments were used in this study: (a) The Social, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental Scale (Mena, Padilla, & Maldonado, 1987), (b) the Social Support Questionnaire (Acuna & Bruner, 1999; Sarason, Levine, Bashan, & Sarason, 1983), and (c) the Global Distress Scale of the Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised (Negy & Snyder, 1997). Results indicated that high levels of acculturative stress and low levels of social support were significantly associated with higher levels of marital distress. However, results did not support the hypothesis that social support acted as a buffer (moderator) against the effects of high acculturative stress on marital distress. These findings suggest that interventions with undocumented Mexican immigrant men should focus on assessing and treating acculturative stressors as well as aiding/advocating for the development and strengthening of social support networks.

Cette thèse poursuit deux objectifs principaux. Le premier consiste à développer un modèle de la compatibilité conjugale fondé sur les notions d’attachement (évitement de la proximité et anxiété d’abandon) et de personnalité (névrotisme). Le deuxième objectif est d’examiner la validité prévisionnelle de ce modèle de compatibilité chez des couples en psychothérapie conjugale. Dans un premier temps, la présente thèse fait brièvement état de la situation des couples au Québec et des répercussions de la détresse conjugale. Par la suite, la recension de la documentation traite du concept de compatibilité entre conjoints en tant qu’alternative à la conceptualisation des dynamiques de couples. Cette analyse théorique montre ensuite la pertinence d’enrichir les modèles de compatibilité en y introduisant les notions d’attachement et de névrotisme. L’examen de ce modèle est suivi par une description des enjeux méthodologiques et statistiques à prendre en compte pour déterminer les fondements scientifiques des hypothèses sur la compatibilité conjugale. L’analyse de la validité prévisionnelle du modèle de compatibilité proposé compose le cœur de cette thèse. Pour ce faire, des couples effectuant une thérapie conjugale ont complété une série de questionnaires en début de suivi, dont l’Échelle d’ajustement dyadique (Spanier, 1976), le Questionnaire sur les expériences d’attachement amoureux (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) et le NEO-FFI (Costa & McCrae, 1992). Les données des 365 couples de l’échantillon sont d’abord analysées en appliquant une méthode fondée sur les modèles d’interdépendance acteur-partenaire (APIM) (Kashy & Snyder, 1995). Les résultats démontrent que la présence d’évitement de la proximité est négativement liée à la satisfaction des conjoints eux-mêmes et à celle de leur partenaire. La méthode APIM révèle aussi que plus l’écart entre les conjoints sur l’évitement et le névrotisme est grand, plus les partenaires rapportent être insatisfaits de leur relation. Les résultats sont ensuite examinés à l’aide d’une technique statistique, l’analyse des regroupements naturels ou des clusters, susceptible de mieux examiner la notion de compatibilité. Cette analyse montre la présence de sept regroupements naturels de conjoints selon leurs scores d’attachement et de névrotisme. De plus, lorsque ces clusters sont croisés en fonction de la détresse conjugale, trois grands sous-types de couples qui engendrent des profils de détresse conjugale distincts émergent des analyses. Ces clusters présentent enfin des différences qualitatives quant à la nature des mandats thérapeutiques confiés aux thérapeutes. Les implications des résultats sont discutées en regard de la validation du modèle de compatibilité fondé sur les notions d’attachement et de névrotisme. Certaines données de la présente thèse suggèrent que ce ne sont pas les caractéristiques de l’un ou de l’autre des conjoints prises isolément, mais plutôt la combinaison des caractéristiques des conjoints qui explique le mieux la nature et la gravité de la détresse conjugale vécue. Plusieurs défis conceptuels, théoriques et méthodologiques sont discutés et des pistes de recherches futures sont proposées afin de consolider les assises scientifiques du modèle de compatibilité. / The first goal of this thesis is to propose a new model of compatibility. Partner’s compatibility is conceptualized from two attachment dimensions (avoidance and anxiety) as well as personality trait (neurotism). The second goal was to test this model on a sample of couples seeking marital therapy. A critical literature review on the role of compatibility in the understanding of couples’ dynamics is completed, underlining the relevance of improving this concept’s definition by taking attachment and neurotism into account. Methodological and statistical issues to consider are also discussed. To evaluate the predictive validity of the model, 365 couples completed the Dyadic adjustment scale (Spanier, 1976), the NEO-FFI (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and the Experiences in close relationships questionnaire (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) at intake. The association between personality, attachment and marital satisfaction is first examined with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kashy & Snyder, 1995). Results show that attachment avoidance is negatively associated with marital satisfaction for spouses themselves as well as for their partners. Analysis of similarities and differences is then performed, revealing that differences between partners on the combination of avoidance and neurotism are correlated with marital insatisfaction. To examine the patterns of natural groupings between partners in the sample, clusters analyses were conducted. Seven different types of couples exhibiting significant differences in their marital satisfaction were found. Three main groups of couples were identified within these types, the first one regrouping mostly satisfied couples, a second one including very dissatisfied partners and a last one presenting a difference between the man’s and the women’s satisfaction. These results could be considered as provinding preliminary confirmation of our compatibility model based on attachment and neurotism, but these propositions must be validated. Some elements of the present findings suggest that it is the combination of attachment anxiety, avoidance and neurotism between partners that is linked to severity of marital distress. However, many challenges, conceptual, theoretical, as well as methodological, are then discussed and future scientific contributions are proposed in order to consolidate the conceptual base of compatibility.

Cette thèse poursuit deux objectifs principaux. Le premier consiste à développer un modèle de la compatibilité conjugale fondé sur les notions d’attachement (évitement de la proximité et anxiété d’abandon) et de personnalité (névrotisme). Le deuxième objectif est d’examiner la validité prévisionnelle de ce modèle de compatibilité chez des couples en psychothérapie conjugale. Dans un premier temps, la présente thèse fait brièvement état de la situation des couples au Québec et des répercussions de la détresse conjugale. Par la suite, la recension de la documentation traite du concept de compatibilité entre conjoints en tant qu’alternative à la conceptualisation des dynamiques de couples. Cette analyse théorique montre ensuite la pertinence d’enrichir les modèles de compatibilité en y introduisant les notions d’attachement et de névrotisme. L’examen de ce modèle est suivi par une description des enjeux méthodologiques et statistiques à prendre en compte pour déterminer les fondements scientifiques des hypothèses sur la compatibilité conjugale. L’analyse de la validité prévisionnelle du modèle de compatibilité proposé compose le cœur de cette thèse. Pour ce faire, des couples effectuant une thérapie conjugale ont complété une série de questionnaires en début de suivi, dont l’Échelle d’ajustement dyadique (Spanier, 1976), le Questionnaire sur les expériences d’attachement amoureux (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) et le NEO-FFI (Costa & McCrae, 1992). Les données des 365 couples de l’échantillon sont d’abord analysées en appliquant une méthode fondée sur les modèles d’interdépendance acteur-partenaire (APIM) (Kashy & Snyder, 1995). Les résultats démontrent que la présence d’évitement de la proximité est négativement liée à la satisfaction des conjoints eux-mêmes et à celle de leur partenaire. La méthode APIM révèle aussi que plus l’écart entre les conjoints sur l’évitement et le névrotisme est grand, plus les partenaires rapportent être insatisfaits de leur relation. Les résultats sont ensuite examinés à l’aide d’une technique statistique, l’analyse des regroupements naturels ou des clusters, susceptible de mieux examiner la notion de compatibilité. Cette analyse montre la présence de sept regroupements naturels de conjoints selon leurs scores d’attachement et de névrotisme. De plus, lorsque ces clusters sont croisés en fonction de la détresse conjugale, trois grands sous-types de couples qui engendrent des profils de détresse conjugale distincts émergent des analyses. Ces clusters présentent enfin des différences qualitatives quant à la nature des mandats thérapeutiques confiés aux thérapeutes. Les implications des résultats sont discutées en regard de la validation du modèle de compatibilité fondé sur les notions d’attachement et de névrotisme. Certaines données de la présente thèse suggèrent que ce ne sont pas les caractéristiques de l’un ou de l’autre des conjoints prises isolément, mais plutôt la combinaison des caractéristiques des conjoints qui explique le mieux la nature et la gravité de la détresse conjugale vécue. Plusieurs défis conceptuels, théoriques et méthodologiques sont discutés et des pistes de recherches futures sont proposées afin de consolider les assises scientifiques du modèle de compatibilité. / The first goal of this thesis is to propose a new model of compatibility. Partner’s compatibility is conceptualized from two attachment dimensions (avoidance and anxiety) as well as personality trait (neurotism). The second goal was to test this model on a sample of couples seeking marital therapy. A critical literature review on the role of compatibility in the understanding of couples’ dynamics is completed, underlining the relevance of improving this concept’s definition by taking attachment and neurotism into account. Methodological and statistical issues to consider are also discussed. To evaluate the predictive validity of the model, 365 couples completed the Dyadic adjustment scale (Spanier, 1976), the NEO-FFI (Costa & McCrae, 1992) and the Experiences in close relationships questionnaire (Brennan, Clark, & Shaver, 1998) at intake. The association between personality, attachment and marital satisfaction is first examined with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (Kashy & Snyder, 1995). Results show that attachment avoidance is negatively associated with marital satisfaction for spouses themselves as well as for their partners. Analysis of similarities and differences is then performed, revealing that differences between partners on the combination of avoidance and neurotism are correlated with marital insatisfaction. To examine the patterns of natural groupings between partners in the sample, clusters analyses were conducted. Seven different types of couples exhibiting significant differences in their marital satisfaction were found. Three main groups of couples were identified within these types, the first one regrouping mostly satisfied couples, a second one including very dissatisfied partners and a last one presenting a difference between the man’s and the women’s satisfaction. These results could be considered as provinding preliminary confirmation of our compatibility model based on attachment and neurotism, but these propositions must be validated. Some elements of the present findings suggest that it is the combination of attachment anxiety, avoidance and neurotism between partners that is linked to severity of marital distress. However, many challenges, conceptual, theoretical, as well as methodological, are then discussed and future scientific contributions are proposed in order to consolidate the conceptual base of compatibility.

The purpose of this study was to examine how sexual satisfaction in older marriages (marriages with at least one spouse between the ages of 55 and 75) was affected by family-of-origin distress (recent measure of recollection of childhood experiences) and marital distress (measure of current marital relationship) for husbands and wives. The hypotheses of this study were that both family-of-origin distress and marital distress would have negative effects on sexual satisfaction for older couples, with marital distress having a direct, negative effect on sexual satisfaction and with family-of-origin distress having an indirect, negative effect on sexual satisfaction through its influence on marital distress. The sample consisted of 614 older couples (approximate average age of 65 for husbands and 62 for wives) who participated in the Project Couple Retire research project which provided the data for this study. Each participant completed the Project Couple Retire questionnaire which included the Marital Satisfaction Inventory-Revised (MSI-R) (1997), the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR) (1981), and other instruments measuring various factors relating to older marriages. A conceptual model was created consisting of three latent variables: sexual satisfaction, family-of-origin distress, and marital distress. The latent dependent variable, sexual satisfaction, was measured by the MSI-R sexual dissatisfaction (SEX) scale and the sexual intimacy scale of the PAIR inventory. One of the latent independent variables, family-of-origin distress, was originally measured by both the MSI-R family history of distress (FAM) scale and an additional instrument from the Project Couple Retire questionnaire measuring history of abuse. However, the history of abuse measure was eventually dropped from the study due to poor measurement fit. The other latent independent variable, marital distress, was measured by the affective communication (AFC) and time together (TTO) scales of the MSI-R. The data in this study was dyadic, with each variable including data from both husbands and wives. Therefore, both actor and partner effects were examined. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the conceptual model. Findings indicated that both family-of-origin distress and marital distress negatively affected sexual satisfaction in older marriages for both husbands and wives when considering both indirect and direct effects.

No description available.