Family rituals are meaningful interactions with benefits for individuals and families. Previous research has linked family ritual meaning with quality of life (QoL), yet the mechanisms that explain this association are not fully known. The present research examined parental burnout, an exhaustion disorder related to parenting, as a mediator in the association between family ritual meaning and QoL. Participants were 109 Portuguese married couples with at least one child up to 18. Partners individually completed the Family Ritual Questionnaire, the Parental Burnout Assessment, and the EUROHIS-QOL-8. The results showed that women attributed more meaning to family rituals and reported higher levels of parental burnout than men. Family ritual meaning was negatively associated with parental burnout and positively associated with QoL, for both partners. The mediation analysis showed that family ritual meaning was associated with QoL, directly and indirectly via parental burnout. Findings can contribute to strengthening evidence-based interventions with families.

Scholars from counseling fields have long urged therapists to recognize the moral imperative of promoting justice and co-creating a more equitable society. Because of their systemic lens, couple, and family therapists (CFTs) are uniquely poised to create systemic change. Scholars in the CFT field have underscored the importance of social justice for decades. However, little empirical evidence exists in the CFT field on how social justice is being prioritized. Using Freire's critical consciousness, this study explores CFT's social justice practices utilizing a national sample of CFTs (n = 22). This study investigates how participants define social justice, develop critical consciousness, address oppression, and practice advocacy. Clinical implications for CFTs to provide culturally responsive services and improve advocacy are discussed.

Attachment insecurities and heightened negative emotions during conflict are significant risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). Previous research mainly examined each partner's attachment separately and overlooked negative emotions as a mechanism in the attachment-IPV link. This dyadic observational study conducted among 178 young adult couples examined (1) the interplay between both partners' attachment (i.e., pairings) in association with their IPV perpetration and (2) the contribution of negative emotions during a conflict discussion in these associations. Results revealed that one's avoidance was positively linked with their IPV only when their partner showed low levels of avoidance. One's avoidance was also indirectly associated with their own IPV through their own negative emotions, and to their partner's IPV via their partner's negative emotions. Finally, one's anxiety was indirectly linked with their own IPV through their own negative emotions. Findings support prevention and intervention strategies for IPV that target attachment and negative emotions.

Relational teaching emphasizes the development of the student in the context of the teacher-student relationship. Given that the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT) emphasizes relationships as central to the discipline, relational teaching practices provide an approach for MFT educators to train relationally attuned, socially just clinicians. We conducted a narrative review of published research from 2003 to 2023 on the conceptualization and application of a relational teaching framework in mental health clinical education programs. After screening, a total of 25 articles were identified for analysis. Four themes were identified within the literature: (1) using isomorphism to teach relational skills, (2) addressing power, (3) course application, and (4) obstacles to implementation. The findings of this study suggest that applying a relational framework to MFT education capitalizes on systemic concepts of isomorphism and social justice, conceptualizing the teacher-student relationship as a means to train students in relational processes that are essential in therapeutic relationships.

Can empirical research guide clinicians in how to conduct effective couple therapy? While we know that couple therapy works, understanding the mechanisms of action-how and why it works-has been the focus of research for several decades. Using Doss's framework for understanding the key components of the change process-therapy change processes, client change processes, mediators, and outcomes-we reviewed 48 quantitative couple therapy process studies over a 40-year period. The results reveal a fragmented knowledge base. No single study examines the entire process of change, and although several findings show promise, none have been replicated. Additionally, only a limited number of hypothesized associations achieved statistical significance, with neither theory nor empirical evidence adequately explaining why some hypotheses were supported while others were not. Current couple therapy process research cannot yet guide clinicians on how to conduct effective therapy. Until it does, the divide between research and practice will persist.

This study investigates the complex relationships among myths of romantic love, satisfaction, jealousy, infidelity, and involvement in romantic relationships using both undirected and directed network analyses. A Gaussian Graphical Model and a Directed Acyclic Graph were employed to explore these interconnections in a sample of young Peruvian individuals in romantic relationships (n = 386). Results indicate that satisfaction emerges as a key starting point in the directed network, influencing involvement, infidelity, and jealousy. Satisfaction and involvement are central nodes in the undirected network, shaping overall relationship dynamics. The study also reveals that unrealistic beliefs about love and idealized expectations are associated with negative interactions and lower satisfaction, which in turn relates to higher infidelity and jealousy. These findings suggest that strengthening satisfaction may play a crucial role in mitigating negative interaction patterns and fostering healthier relationships.

Further to its US source culture, the systemic construct of differentiation of self (DoS) has been empirically validated in China, Cyprus, Iran, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. DoS has consistently correlated with various psychological adjustment indices, including marital and familial adjustment. The 46-item Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised (DSI-R) is the global standard for assessing DoS, but only US-developed short forms (SF) exist. This study introduces a two-stage process to validate a 20-item SF of the Greek DSI-R. Initial stage involved shortening the Greek DSI-R based on EFA (Sample 1; N = 502), followed by iterative CFAs (Sample 2; N = 335). Final model maintained the original four-factor structure with good to very good internal consistencies, and a strong correlation with the original DSI-R (r = 0.95, p < 0.001). We relabeled the Fusion with Others subscale to Fusion with Parents to reflect potential cultural differences with the West and similarities with China. The Greek DSI-R SF offers a tool for systemic cross-cultural research, clinical assessment, treatment planning and progress, and therapeutic use.

Although coercive control has been studied in unhealthy relationships, all couples navigate some amount of control and freedom as they interact. Varied prevalence estimates and definitions of control suggest a need to better define the continuum of control in mild and extreme forms, including non-physically violent forms of control. The purpose of this qualitative study was to expand knowledge of control in relationships by examining the whole continuum of partners' experiences of control and freedom. Using constructivist grounded theory methods, data on control and freedom from 66 semi-structured interviews were analyzed to examine how partners describe control and freedom in their relationships. Findings highlighted nuanced forms of emotional abuse within the continuum of control and the value of openness and support in developing freedom. Clearer conceptions of milder and non-physical forms of control may aid clinicians in identifying elusive processes of control and helping partners support each other's freedom.

Extant research shows that transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals are at an increased risk for suicide. However, the mechanisms of TGD suicidality are not fully understood. This study investigated the role of external gender minority stressors and the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide in understanding TGD suicidality. Participants were 264 TGD adults aged 18-76 (M = 26.5, SD = 10.6), majority being White (64%), and nonbinary (71%), who completed a one-time clinical battery. Findings revealed that gender-related victimization and nonaffirmation of gender identity were positively related to suicide ideation through the mediating variable of perceived burdensomeness (PB). Additionally, nonaffirmation significantly moderated the negative relationship between gender-related rejection and suicide ideation. These findings emphasize the need for interventions that target feelings of brokenness and burdensomeness. Clinicians, policymakers, and researchers must work collaboratively to create affirming environments that reduce PB, foster resilience, and ultimately prevent suicide among TGD populations.

Racial oppression's institutional and interpersonal levels have had a substantial amount of empirical attention. Internalized racial oppression (IRO) and the paths through which it negatively impacts mental health have received considerably lesser attention. In this cross-sectional study with 226 self-identified Black participants, we focus on colonial mentality, as a form of IRO, and its association to depression. We argue that this detrimental effect happens because IRO limits the access to social identity resources, at both levels of the family system and wider society. The results revealed that the communication/problem-solving dimension of family resilience mediated the effect of colonial mentality on depression. Support for the Black Lives Matter movement, a measure for collective action, was also a significant mediator but was, however, positively associated with depression. This study is the first to quantitatively assess IRO's consequences on the mental health of Black individuals in a postcolonial European country. We discuss clinical implications.

Anger is an apt and justified response to wrongdoings, yet conventional approaches commonly view it as an intrapersonal problem that solely demands cognitive or behavioral interventions. Mainstream treatments of anger often neglect its contextual factors, potentially invalidating the legitimate grievances of marginalized people. This paper challenges these views by examining existing literature, and rethinks the role of anger by placing it within the contexts of social power structures. It argues that anger-related processes can constitute affective injustice, further perpetuating systemic oppression and injustice. To advance sociocultural competency in treating anger among marginalized people, this paper offers practical guidance, such as the role of client autonomy in the anger treatment process and a systemic conceptualization of anger rooted in systems theory. It also recommends key directions for future research, such as the intersectionality of anger regulation among marginalized communities. Ultimately, the paper is not about introducing novel models or interventions for treating anger but rather seeks to shift the focus from merely approaching anger as a clinical problem to addressing its systemic roots, empowering clinicians to incorporate these factors into the treatment process.

This randomized controlled study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Functional Family Therapy (FFT) compared to Treatment As Usual (TAU) among 120 youth probationers in Singapore. The Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) was calculated to determine the cost per unit of non-recidivism, covering the period from probation inception to 3 years post probation. Overall, FFT showed higher costs (S$1183 vs. S$1070) but better non-recidivism rates (79% vs. 65%) compared to TAU. The ICER was S$807 per youth probationer (95% CI: S$230-S$1,061). For high-risk youth, FFT was both less costly and more effective (ICER: -S$2396), while for moderate-risk youth, it was more costly but more effective (ICER: S$2809). Using willingness-to-pay benchmarks published by Cohen et al., FFT was considered more cost-effective than TAU. The study concluded that FFT is a cost-effective intervention for youth probationers in Singapore.

This narrative study examines Colombian uncles' significant roles in family dynamics, filling a gap in understanding their impact within extended family structures. Through qualitative interviews with 30 families, narrative inquiry captures uncles' contributions to emotional support, cultural transmission, mentorship, and family cohesion. Participants aged 20-60 describe uncles as mentors, cultural custodians, and emotional anchors, especially when parents are absent. Narrative analysis through thematic coding highlights uncles' roles in fostering resilience, transmitting heritage, and reinforcing family bonds. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating extended family roles in family therapy to offer culturally sensitive support, providing new insights into Latin American family dynamics and uncles' influence on younger members' development and well-being.

The article focuses on ways Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) can create supportive therapeutic spaces for Asian American clients. Research and clinical practices in the field of MFT and counseling continue to center around White norms. To promote a clinical understanding of communities of color, pedagogical strategies need to encourage critical thinking and promote awareness of the systemic oppression of communities of color. The article will examine the current research and practices in supporting Asian American clients in therapy. Specifically, the article will explore Asian Critical Race Theory (Asian CRT), and Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy (SAFT) frameworks to understand how racialized experiences impact clients' wellbeing and create liberatory practices that elevate client voices within the therapeutic process. Through case examples, Asian Critical Race Theory and Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy will be applied to illustrate their practice with clients.

While African American couples are less likely to seek formal resources, such as couples therapy, that does not mean they do not seek relationship support. The literature suggests that informal or community resources play a large role in supporting African American couples. Yet, up to this point, quantitative research has yet to identify specific factors that increase informal couple help-seeking for African Americans. To address this gap, we examine how discrimination, racial identity, and religiosity are associated with informal couple help-seeking. We use two distinct types of common informal couple help-seeking (1) seeking help from a religious community and (2) seeking help from family and friends. Our study also attends to a meaningful aspect of couple help-seeking-relationship interdependence-via an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM). Our findings highlight the importance of informal resources in supporting African American relationships and the interdependent nature of couple help-seeking.

This paper explores the concept of "affordances" for relational healing that clients implicitly bring with them to therapy. It highlights the therapist's perception of such affordances as a first step toward conceiving of opportunities to take certain initiatives to enable relational wellness. As therapists become increasingly aware of the multiple possibilities that clients afford them to intervene, they are more liable to utilize such opportunities when doing therapy. By sharpening their observational skills to perceive these affordances, therapists may more readily conceive of associated therapeutic opportunities and initiate relevant interventions. We start with some background theory and then present a few vignettes of clinical work to illustrate the application of these concepts in the course of family therapy.

Cumulative childhood trauma (CCT) increases the risk of relationship difficulties in adulthood. Couples welcoming a new child are particularly prone to relationship distress, and CCT survivors may be especially vulnerable during this period. This study examined the association between CCT and relationship satisfaction and tested the role of parental alliance in this association. A random sample of 1136 different-gender parental couples completed online self-report questionnaires. Path analyses guided by the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model revealed that parents' CCT was associated with their own lower relationship satisfaction through their own and their partner's parental alliance in both mothers and fathers. Results also revealed dyadic associations between one parent's CCT and their partner's relationship satisfaction through their own and their partner's parental alliance. These findings support the relevance of couple interventions focusing on the parental alliance to improve relational well-being in parental couples where one or both partners have experienced CCT.

The present study investigates the impact of positive dyadic coping strategies on the physical and mental health of couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatments (ART). A systematic literature search was conducted in databases, including ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. From an initial pool of 1061 studies, 23 were selected for final analysis, encompassing a total of 7079 participants. The findings indicate that positive dyadic coping may significantly enhance mental health, couple adjustment and satisfaction, self-esteem, and quality of life in couples undergoing ART. The quality of the included studies was rated as moderate to high. The study concludes that integrating positive dyadic coping strategies into psychological intervention programs and providing psychological support within the healthcare system may be essential for couples undergoing ART.

Persistent ethnic-racial discrimination in the lives of minoritized clients requires a better understanding of effective practices for family therapists working with Latino families. Ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) can help mitigate the adverse effects of discrimination; however, ERS practices are less known as a therapeutic tool, resulting in a critical gap in the existing literature and limiting the support that family therapists can provide to Latino families. In response, the current study investigated family therapists' lived experiences facilitating ERS practices with Latino parents in therapy. Semi-structured interviews with family therapists (n = 20) from 10 US states were conducted. A rigorous thematic analysis revealed two key themes related to the approaches used by family therapists for explicitly naming and navigating ERS-related conversations when working with Latino parents and families. The results can inform recommendations for promoting conversations related to race, ethnicity, culture, ethnic-racial discrimination, and immigration with Latino parents in family therapy.

Despite the popularity of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in Iran, the existing literature synthesis has limitations due to the reliance on studies published primarily in Farsi. This systematic review addresses these gaps by synthesizing and evaluating the effectiveness of SFBT on the marital outcomes of couples in Iran, incorporating both Farsi and English sources. The search for this review yielded 1523 records, from which 26 randomized controlled trials were included. The participants across the included studies (n = 1110) were predominantly married women and couples experiencing marital discord, from varied educational backgrounds across multiple Iranian cities. SFBT, primarily delivered in a group format, demonstrated medium to large effect sizes in improving marital outcomes such as dyadic adjustment, satisfaction, and intimacy. However, the presence of bias in study design and reporting necessitates caution in interpreting findings. This review highlights the potential of SFBT to improve marital relationships within the Iranian context.

This meta-analysis synthesized randomized and non-randomized controlled trials of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) in Iranian populations, examining the effectiveness and the applications of SFBT in all Iranian settings and evaluated if the various outcomes being studied, research intervention modality, or therapy delivery format made statistical differences in outcomes. A comprehensive search strategy across three Iranian and four US databases, one Iranian conference website, and three professional websites resulted in the inclusion of 34 included studies for meta-analytic analysis. The outcomes reported an overall large significant treatment effect size (d = 0.977, 95% CI: 0.591, 1.37, p < 0.001), with subgroup analysis revealing large effects for interventions for psychosocial and mental health (g = 1.24, p < 0.001) and self-wellness (g = 0.903, p = 0.00274). SFBT was also shown to be effective in group settings (d = 1.04, p < 0.001). Results indicated that SFBT was an effective intervention for Iranian populations.

The present study utilized a sample of 374 distressed couples seeking therapy to investigate: (1) how partners' adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and shared religious/spiritual (R/S) practices are associated with their relationship satisfaction at intake and (2) the rate and shape of change in relationship satisfaction over the first six sessions. The results from multilevel modeling (MLM) demonstrated that males' ACEs were negatively associated with both their own and their partners' relationship satisfaction at intake, whereas females' ACEs were negatively associated only with their own satisfaction, not their partners'. Regarding shared R/S practices, only females' reports were positively associated with both their own and their partners' satisfaction at intake; no effects were observed for males' reports. Lastly, changes in relationship satisfaction from sessions one through six were found to be curvilinear, with more rapid change occurring initially, followed by a slowdown as therapy progressed.

This study investigated the prevalence of suicidal risk and associated trajectories of relational satisfaction in couples presenting for therapy using a national clinical data set, the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network (MFT-PRN). The sample assessed 296 different-sex couples attending couple therapy at sessions one, four, and eight. Nearly a quarter of couples indicated suicidal risk at session one. Dyadic latent growth models revealed that higher suicidal risk had a small but significant association with lower initial relationship satisfaction for men; thus, while the suicidal risk is associated with men's lower relationship satisfaction at intake, it may not continue to have impacts later in treatment. Alternative analyses of 27 same-sex couples revealed a quarter of couples with suicidal risk at session one and that suicidal risk was not associated with relationship satisfaction. Although suicide risk was not associated with changes in relational satisfaction over time, suicidal risk should be assessed for couples presenting to therapy.

Parental separation itself may be painful for both divorcing parents and children; however, this may not be the only stressful event in family structure among postdivorce families. Most divorced parents may start seeking a new romantic relationship before, during, and/or soon after their divorce or separation is finalized. Given that postdivorce dating may develop as a meaningful, stable, and supportive family tie, such as a stepparent-stepchild relationship, parents must communicate their new relationship with children if this relationship trajectory is anticipated. However, few guidelines based on empirical evidence are available regarding how to appropriately share their postdivorce dating. An overview of the literature on divorced parents' new dating and their communication about this topic with children is provided. Best practices and innovative therapeutic approaches are discussed that are grounded in processes to foster family resilience that practitioners can utilize to better facilitate healthy and positive parent-child communication and family relationships.

The OurRelationship Program is an 8-h web-based program for distressed couples adapted from Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we aimed to replicate results from the founders and test feasibility criteria for program implementation across cultures. We randomized 39 Danish, opposite-sex, distressed, parenting couples to either the OurRelationship program or self-guided bibliotherapy (a self-help book with a reading guide). Results showed significant within-group changes in couple and individual functioning; for the OurRelationship, small-to-large effect sizes (d = 0.46-1.35 for relationship functioning, d = 0.29-0.80 for individual functioning), and for Bibliotherapy, small-to-moderate changes (d = 0.49-0.75 for relationship functioning, d = 0.28-0.45 for individual functioning). Differences between conditions were insignificant, except for moderate differences in reductions of communication conflict (d = 0.79) and relationship negatives (d = 0.43) in favor of OurRelationship. While feasibility results were positive, a sustainable implementation requires a resourceful organization and large-scale delivery.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth who experience family rejection are at increased risk for depression and suicide. Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) demonstrates promising results for reducing this risk with LGBTQ youth. This community-participatory, mixed-method study piloted the use of ABFT with LGBTQ youth. Fourteen families completed treatment with adolescent youth, pre- and post-individual and family interviews, and a measure of youth mental health. Post-therapy, 80% of youth showed a significant reduction in psychological distress. The qualitative thematic analysis constructed four themes describing how families present to therapy with emotional distress, caregiver support needed during ABFT, how caregivers acquired new listening and communication skills, and LGBTQ youth experiences of finding freedom to explore and talk about sexual and gender identities. Implications from the study suggest the need to challenge heteronormative emotional structures of families for increasing emotional support of fathers with their LGBTQ children.

This study explored the structural relationships among family of origin health, self-differentiation, mentalization, and marital satisfaction, focusing on indirect effects and gender differences. Data from 400 married Korean adults aged 30-49 were analyzed using structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis. Results revealed that all paths were significant except the direct impact of family-of-origin health on marital satisfaction. Indirect effects analyses confirmed significant individual and sequential indirect effects of self-differentiation and mentalization. Gender differences emerged: mentalization significantly influenced marital satisfaction in men but not in women, while family of origin health directly impacted marital satisfaction in women but not in men. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating self-differentiation and mentalization into couple counseling and suggest the need for gender-sensitive interventions to address marital satisfaction effectively.

For several decades, to enhance relationship quality, marriage and relationship education (MRE) programs have focused on teaching communication skills and conflict management. However, new explanations reveal that the effectiveness of communication skills in MRE programs may largely depend on virtues. Through a randomized controlled trial (RCT), the present study examined the effectiveness of the Getting Our Hearts Right Program (GOHR; a virtue-based approach) and the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP; a skill-based approach). Forty-five eligible couples (i.e., 90 individuals) were randomly assigned to (a) GOHR intervention condition, (b) PREP intervention condition, or (c) wait-list control condition. The couples filled out the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up phases. The results of both postintervention and 3-month follow-up showed that GOHR was more effective than PREP in improving the spouses' perceived marital adjustment. The findings of this study emphasized the potential value of short-term virtue-based interventions.

In the United States, socioeconomic disparities are a reality that shapes the challenges many communities of color experience. Throughout the globe, community-based initiatives have been explored as a way to reduce several barriers that contribute to social inequalities. One in particular, the Promotora framework, has been widely used to improve health outcomes. However, it has yet to be explored to maximize socioeconomic opportunities. The Launch Program, a pre-COVID-19 pilot study, aimed to investigate the experiences of LatinX people in one of the first community programs designed to offer a Promotora-led intervention supporting socioeconomic goals. Researchers collected qualitative data via focus groups from 25 LatinX participants who completed the program. Using narrative thematic analysis, the study explored the potential of a liberatory framework to address employment barriers. Results from this study highlight the benefits of adopting a culturally responsive intervention as a valuable tool in reducing socioeconomic disparities within LatinX populations.

Healthy sexuality includes relational, emotional, and physical elements as noted in the sexual wholeness model. Genital acceptance (emotional comfort with reactions to genitalia) and physical sexual knowledge (knowledge of the physical aspects of sex) are two areas of physical relationships that may be associated with sexual satisfaction. Attachment is a factor that has been associated with sexual relationships and may be an intervening variable between the physical aspects of sex and sexual satisfaction. Data from a dyadic sample of 515 couples were analyzed. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the direct and indirect actor and partner effects of physical sexual knowledge and genital acceptance on sexual satisfaction, working through mechanisms of anxious and avoidant attachment. Findings revealed that genital acceptance and physical sexual knowledge, particularly knowledge about the female body, were associated with lower levels of insecure attachment and greater satisfaction with sexual relationships.