Couple dynamics and attributions when one partner has an acquired hearing loss: implications for couple therapy

We discuss the communication difficulties that many couples face when one partner has a hearing loss. We also discuss the role of attribution theory in understanding the marital distress of these couples. Finally, we offer interventions to support better communication between couples facing the challenges of hearing loss.     

Qualitative evaluation of family therapy programs: a participatory approach

In this article, we provide examples of participatory qualitative evaluation methods that can be used within family therapy training programs. These methods can elicit useful feedback to improve programs and, at the same time, empower trainees to become partners in the evaluation process.     

What clients of couple therapy model developers and their former students say about change, part I: model-dependent common factors across three models

Some researchers have hypothesized that factors common across therapy models are largely responsible for change. In this study we conducted semi-structured, open-ended qualitative interviews with three different MFT model developers (Dr. Susan M. Johnson, Emotionally Focused Therapy; Dr. Frank M. Dattilio, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; and Dr. Richard C. Schwartz, Internal Family Systems Therapy), Dr. Johnson and Dr. Schwartz's former students, and each of their former clients who had terminated therapy successfully. We examined possible common factors in our qualitative data analysis. Common factors fell into two main categories of model-dependent factors and model-independent factors. This article-the first of two-reviews the model-dependent common factors, common elements found across three distinct therapies. They include common conceptualizations, common interventions, and common outcomes, each with several subcategories. We discuss the clinical, training, and research implications of the results.     

Newlywed Couple Leisure: Couple Identity Formation Through Leisure Time

An interpretative phenomenological study of newlywed couple leisure was conducted to understand the role of leisure in the development of relationship dynamics and couple identity. Nine couples were interviewed twice, using open-ended questions that explored the role of leisure in their relationship development. Data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological processes. Couples viewed leisure as a crucial part of their relationships, helping them develop their identities as couples through creating shared meaning and opportunities to improve communication and conflict management skills. Findings can be used to encourage couple exploration of positive leisure experiences during courtship and early marriage, including therapeutic interventions and relationship education programs that teach couples to incorporate joint leisure strategically into their relationships.     

Most and Least Meaningful Learning Experiences in Marriage and Family Therapy Education

Marriage and family therapy educators increasingly emphasize training competencies. What we know less about is what makes family therapy education meaningful to marriage and family therapy (MFT) graduate students and what does not. In this study, through an Internet survey, we explored the most and least meaningful learning experiences of 68 MFT graduate students and recent graduates of Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education—accredited programs. We used thematic analysis to identify and illustrate resulting themes, which included the importance of experiential and personal components to learning, the professor‐student alliance, tying theory to practice, and the experiences of students with their clients, among others. We discuss the implications of these findings to support family therapy education and offer tentative suggestions for formative discussions both within and across programs. Video Abstract is found in the online version of the article .     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article:
Professional Books: Akamatsu, T. J., Stephens, M. A. P., Hobfoll, S. E., & Crowther, J. H. (Eds.). (1992). Family health psychology.
Professional Books:Macy, J. (1991). Mutual causality in Buddhism and general systems theory .
Professional Books:McNamee, S., & Gergen, K. J. (Eds.). (1993). Therapy as social construction .
Professional Books:Grove, D. R., & Haley, J. (1993). Conversations of therapy: Popular problems and uncommon solutions .
Self-Help Books:Barth, J. (1993). It runs in my family: Overcoming the legacy of family illness .
Self-Help Books:Sachs, B. E. (1992). Things just haven't been the same: Making the transition from marriage to parenthood .
Self-Help Books:Becker, M. R. (1992). Lost touch: Preparing for a parent's death .
VedioTaps: Conversation with a Blended Family: A Burning Qestion; An Interview with Harry Goolishian . (1993).
VedioTaps: Sex, Love, and Babies . (1993). (Videotape of how having a baby changes the relationship between parents).
VedioTaps: Learning Disabilities: A Parent's Guide . (1993). (Videotape of information for parents, mental health professionals, and educators regarding the process of diagnosing a learning disability and establishing an individual education program).     

REVIEWS

PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: White, M. & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative means to therapeutic ends .
PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: Beach, S. R. H., Sandeen, E. E., & O'Leary, K. D. (1990). Depression in marriage .
PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: Goldenberg, H. & Goldenberg, I. Counseling today's families .
PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: Gelcer, E., McCabe, A., & Smith-Resnick, C. Milan family therapy: Variant and invariant methods .
PROFESSIONAL BOOKS: Plumb, G. B. & Lindley, M. E. Humanizing child custody disputes: The family's team .
GENERAL INTEREST BOOKS: Weiss, R. S. (1990). Staying the course: The emotional and social lives of men who do well at work .
SELF HELP BOOKS: Patterson, G. R. & Forgatch, M. (1987). Parents and adolescents living together: Part 1, the basics .
SELF HELP BOOKS: Forgathch, M. & Patterson, G. R. (1989). Parents and adolescents living together: Part 2, family problem solving .
SELF HELP BOOKS: Conway, J. (1990). Adult children of legal or emotional divorce: Healing your long-term hurt .
SELF HELP BOOKS: Greteman J. & Dunne, J. (1990) When divorce happens: A guide for family and friends .
SELF HELP BOOKS: Bepko, C. & Krestan, J. (1990) Too good for her own good: Breaking free from the burden of female responsibility .
SELF HELP BOOKS: Earle R. & Crow, G. (1989). Lonely all the time: Recognizing, understanding, and overcoming sex addiction, for addicts and co-dependents .
SELF HELP BOOKS: Vaughan, P. (1989). The monogamy myth: A new understanding of affairs and how to survive them .
VIDEOTAPE: School Problems . (1989). (Edited videotape of two sessions of Joel Bergman working with a single parent family.)
VIDEOTAPE: To Dethrone a Padrone . (1989) (Edited videotape of three sessions of Joel Bergman and Judith Morgan working with a youg man having difficulties moving into adulthood.)     

Exploring Partner Intimacy Among Couples Raising Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Grounded Theory Investigation

In this study, we explored how couples raising children with autism spectrum disorder negotiate intimacy, including what contextual and temporal factors influence these processes. We conducted conjoint interviews with 12 couples, employing grounded theory methodology to collect and analyze the data. Our results indicated that fostering intimacy in these couples' relationships involves partners working together to make key cognitive and relational shifts. Couples are aided or hindered in making these shifts by the degree to which they experience various contextual and environmental factors as resources or roadblocks. We also found that intimacy is not a fixed point at which couples one day arrive, but is an iterative process taking place over time and requiring work to develop and maintain.     

Female adolescent smoking: a Delphi study on best prevention practices

The present researchers used a multi-wave Delphi methodology to determine what 14 knowledgeable substance abuse professionals believe are the most appropriate smoking prevention practices for female adolescents. While there was some agreement with the emerging literature, particularly on weight control issues and parental involvement, there was also endorsement of items that appear to be equally salient for both males and females. While the panelists generally acknowledged differential risk factors for females, and the need for prevention programming around these risk factors, more research on gender specific programming is needed before prevention experts are ready to agree on clear and specific practices for adolescent females.