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A lack of diversity exists in couples research with an overrepresentation of white, middle to upper income couples. Additionally, researchers often do not reflect the study sample, particularly when studying underrepresented minority and historically marginalized (URM‐HM) populations. Emancipatory research practices focus on language, processes, and practices to ensure that researchers and the research they conduct honor and contribute to the empowerment of the URM‐HM research participants. Therefore, in this paper, we discuss five critical considerations with recommendations for emancipatory research practices for including couples from URM‐HM populations. The aim is to provide a framework for researchers to critically reflect on their work with URM‐HM populations. The research practices include: (a) research positionality and reflexivity; (b) understanding of the population being served; (c) power and empowerment; (d) accountability, voice, and participant engagement; and (e) research that benefits URM‐HM populations and challenges the systems that perpetuate inequities. Additionally, we present practical strategies to implement these five considerations based on our own experiences conducting community‐effectiveness studies with low‐income and diverse couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a sample of 2,118 largely low-income, ethnic minority individuals with and without chronic illness (CI), this study examines couple-oriented relationship education (RE) on emotional distress levels. We applied a correlational research design to examine dyadic changes in distress following a couple RE intervention with a one-group pretest-posttest design. Female participants reported higher relationship distress at baseline. Both females and males showed significant improvement in distress post-RE intervention (Wilks' λ =.93, F (1, 669) = 79.49, p <.001, η2=.08); women showed greater improvements at the end of the RE intervention, despite posttest relational distress still being greater than men. The CI group did not benefit more than the non-CI group suggesting further investigation regarding changes in distress post-RE for couples with CI. Counselors may find couple-oriented RE intervention useful to promote relational health in those with CI or as part of a holistic health intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship quality contributes to favorable health; and conversely, chronic relational stress exacerbates symptoms of chronic illness (CI). Individual-oriented relationship education (RE) demonstrates promise as an efficacious intervention to improve individual and relational distress. We used a secondary data set from a community effectiveness study and applied a correlational research design to examine changes in distress following an RE intervention with a 1-group pretest–posttest design. The sample (N = 672) predominantly included low-income, ethnic minority individuals, either with CI or without. Controlling for income, CI individuals reported higher distress at enrollment baseline. Both groups showed significant improvements in distress post-RE intervention, Wilks's λ =.93, F(1, 669) = 79.49, p <.001, η2 =.08; however, no group benefited more. Results support further examination of changes in distress and health post-RE for individuals with CI. Counselors could use individual-oriented RE intervention to help reduce distress and as a contribution to holistic health intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing billions of dollars per year in direct and indirect costs, and its prevalence is projected to increase exponentially over the next 15 years. Additionally, low-income and ethnic minority populations are especially at risk for CVD and CVD-related adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the influence of a 12-hr, evidence-based relationship education (RE) program, Within Our Reach (WOR), on relational distress and satisfaction in participants with and without CVD risk factors. Findings indicated that participants significantly improved in their relationship satisfaction following the RE intervention with the female group improving in their relationship satisfaction at an amount significantly greater than the male group. However, no differences were found between CVD risk factor group and non-CVD risk factor group on their relationship satisfaction either before or after the RE intervention. Clinical implications and future directions for research in this area are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) are interpersonal sources of distress negatively correlated with physical and mental health, as well as maladaptive intimate partner conflict strategies in adulthood. Economically vulnerable racial and ethnic minorities report the greatest disparities in exposure to ACE, as well as relationship distress and health. Yet, little is known about the connections between ACE, relationship distress, and health. We therefore tested a theoretical model for the mediating role of relationship distress to explain the ACE‐health connection with a sample (N = 96) predominantly racial/ethnic minorities (87%) with low income. We applied partial least squares structural equation modeling with bootstrapping (N = 500). Relationship distress strengthened the predictive relationship between ACE and health, and accounted for 42% of the variance in health. The results provide preliminary support for relationship distress as a social determinant of health disparities with implications for interdisciplinary health intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship education (RE) is a brief, strength-based psychoeducational intervention for couples that demonstrates strong outcomes to decrease individual and couple stress. The current study examined changes in relationship and family adjustment for expectant mothers following RE intervention. Participants included 91 pregnant women (64.8% racial or ethnic minorities) who participated in a community-based RE program. In examination of pre and post-intervention relationship assessment scale and parental stress and coping inventory results, RE intervention contributed to increased relationship satisfaction, and reduced parental distress, as well as to improved social support and family-based support scores among participants. In addition, relationship stress is a major contributor to stress during pregnancy that adds vulnerability for the health of low-income and ethnic minority expectant mothers and their children. Findings indicate the effectiveness of RE to significantly reduce stress for expectant mothers. Therefore, the use of RE as a low-cost and accessible intervention to combat stress provides positive implications for this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shortage of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals in the United States leaves many available positions unfilled. Students beginning college with declared STEM majors often change majors in college, contributing to retention difficulties. Using the Career Thoughts Inventory (Sampson, Peterson, Lenz, Reardon, & Saunders, 1996a), the authors examined negative career thoughts between undergraduate STEM‐declared students participating in a STEM retention project and STEM‐interested students participating in a National Science Foundation–funded STEM recruitment and retention project. Results indicated significant differences between the 2 groups, with STEM‐interested students reporting greater negative career thoughts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular (CV) disease is the leading cause of death in the United States (Hoyert & Xu, 2012), and low-income and ethnic minorities are disproportionally affected. Relationship education (RE) interventions have been shown to improve relationship quality and reduce distress in individuals and couples, including low-income and ethnic minority populations. This study examined the effect of an evidenced-based, individual-oriented, RE intervention, within my reach, (WMR), on emotional distress in a population of mostly low-income and ethnic minority individuals with existing CV disease and/or CV disease risk factors (CVD) to those without disease or risk factors (non-CVD). Results showed significant improvements in overall distress for both the CVD and non-CVD groups, but neither group improved significantly more than the other. The authors found similar changes in distress levels when we examined a subset of the population that met the criteria for clinical distress. Also, data showed that CVD participants presented with significantly greater overall distress than non-CVD participants. These findings are consistent with prior research that showed the effectiveness of the WMR curriculum in stress reduction. Furthermore, this study contributes knowledge about a unique population, individuals with CV disease and/or CVD, who may greatly benefit from interventions focused on stress reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family violence and childhood trauma literature has suggested that early adverse experiences create risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). Thus, this study used a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students ( N = 266) to explore differences among childhood trauma, same-sex IPV, and IPV acceptance. The authors used survey methodology and multivariate analysis of variance. Results indicated that LGB individuals reporting childhood trauma also reported higher rates of IPV, suggesting implications for research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Parental Stress and Coping Inventory (PSCI), a 5-point, 18-item questionnaire was evaluated and validated as a screening measure for parental stress in the current sample of 126 mostly low income and ethnic minority parents with typically developing children. One hundred twenty-six participants contributed data to the current receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. ROC analyses were conducted to determine the cutoff scores of PSCI parental distress, social support, and family-based support measures. We found an optimal parental distress cutoff point of 14.5 with an associated sensitivity of 73% and 82% specificity. The optimal cutoff point of social support measure was 23.5 associated with 76% sensitivity and 49% specificity. And, the optimal cutoff point of family-based support measure was 13.5 associated with 79% sensitivity and 56% specificity. This study not only provided evidence for the reliability and validity of PSCI, but also proved the inventory to be a simple, sensitive, and specific battery for screening for parental stress and coping. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Parental Stress and Coping Inventorywas developed for mental health professionals serving low-income and low-resource parents. A sample of 1,567 parents completed a revised Family Adjustment Measure for the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses conducted in this study. Findings resulted in three scales that explained 53% of the variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There exists little research on caregiver burden among persons caring for family members with HIV/AIDS in Kenya. Research suggests that coping strategies affect the perception of caregiver burden and caregiver burden increases as a patient’s condition deteriorates. This study investigated the impact of coping strategies and activities of daily living on caregiver burden among Kenyans caring for family members living with HIV and AIDS. There was a statistically significant difference on two items of the Caregiver Burden Inventory based on patient’s total Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score. When ADLs were considered separately, there were no significant differences in caregiver burden by ADL scores. The combined coping scales on the Brief COPE were a significant predictor of caregiver burden. Self-blame, substance use, and behavioral disengagement were significantly related to caregiver burden. Implications for counselors, social workers, and researchers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Intimate partnerviolence (IPV) occurs in same-sex relationships at greater rates compared to heterosexual relationships. Despite these elevated same-sex IPV, limited research exists on risk and protective factors (e.g., gender expression) related to victimization, perpetration, and attitudes about violence. Due to scarce research on characteristics of same-sex IPV, the study measured differences between feminine and masculine lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) college students (N = 266) in their self-reported victimization, perpetration, and acceptance of IPV. Results identified that masculine LGBTQ-identifying students reported higher levels of victimization, perpetration, and acceptance of violence, providing implications when assessing for risk and protective factors of same-sex IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gap in research exists regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals' relationships. The article begins with an overview of IPV victimization, perpetration, and related attitudinal differences between male and female LGBTQ college students. Study results found that females reported higher levels of psychological victimization than gay males. Additionally, the male participants reported greater attitudinal acceptance of IPV. Counseling implications regarding IPV victimization, perpetration, and attitudinal acceptance for IPV among LGBTQ populations are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although economic disadvantage is linked to poor relationship quality and increased individual distress, emerging literature supports couples and relationship education as effective at improving relationship quality for low-income couples. However, relationship education’s influence on individual distress for low-income couples has not yet been determined. We provided relationship education using the Prevention Relationship Enhancement Program curriculum to 96 low-to-moderate income married couples with children and examined changes in relationship quality and individual distress pre, post, and 3–6 months after intervention. We found significant improvements in relationship satisfaction and significant individual distress decreases. Implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We administered the Family Adjustment Measure to 368 parents of children with special needs to identify positive adjustment. We randomly split the sample to conduct exploratory factor analysis (n = 194) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 174). Results indicated four possible subscales and that explain 51% of the variance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread, pervasive issue that affects heterosexual and same-sex relationships. However, IPV is largely underreported, and many counselors do not formally assess for relationship violence. Additionally, counselors typically do not have a plan to manage disclosures of violence when they occur. We present an IPV Protocol Readiness Model that helps counselors determine their readiness to assess for IPV as well as manage disclosures. Additionally, we present a questionnaire intended to provide guidance for counselors regarding organizational and community factors important to the success of an IPV protocol. Finally, we discuss practical applications and suggestions for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teen pregnancy among unwed young Black mothers is still an issue of concern in the United States. Black teen mothers face educational, economic, and career! vocational challenges. This article discusses integrating Gottfredson's (1981) career theory and the Outline for Cultural Formulation (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) in career development counseling with young Black mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine associations among parental bonding factors and the early onset ofsexual behaviors and substance use. Significant diffirences were found in the levels of care among the parental status groups and among the ages of onset for alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between marital expectations and marital satisfaction among U.S. born (n=157; females=51.6%) and immigrant African couples (n=43; females=44.6%) who were faith community members. The participants completed the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS; Hendrick, 1988), Relationship Pleasure Scale (RPS; PAIRS Foundation, 1993) and the Ngazimbi-Daire Marital Expectations Questionnaire (MEQ), developed by the authors to measure marital expectations. Regression analysis results revealed a significant relationship between marital expectations and marital satisfaction for the African immigrant participants, but not among the United States born married participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Codependent behaviors are associated with an unhealthy reliance on others for meeting emotional needs. This over-reliance on others often leads to dysfunctional interpersonal relationships. This article presents emotional stocks and bonds (ESB), a metaphorical model for use with clients who display codependent behaviors. Emotional stocks and bonds incorporates theoretical tenets from Bowen family systems and attachment theory and aids clients in understanding and changing unhealthy relationship behavior patterns. In addition to an overview of the model's key concepts and its use in clinical practice, we provide a case illustration and a discussion of practice implications and limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premarital counseling is a preventive tool against future marital discord. Research targeting premarital counseling interventions typically examined the effects of the intervention on later marital unions, as well as risk factors associated with cohabiting. This study evaluated differences among 120 premarital counseling participants using the PREPARE model. However, not all participants completed treatment. Therefore, we examined differences in preintervention levels of relationship satisfaction, as measured by the Marital Adjustment Test and individual distress, as measured by the Outcomes Questionnaire 45.2 between participants that completed premarital counseling (n = 46) versus those that did not (n = 74). Participants who completed attended an average of eight sessions. Additionally, for the 46 men (n = 23) and women (n = 23) who completed premarital counseling, changes in relationship satisfaction and individual distress were examined along with differences between those who were cohabiting (n = 28; 14 men and 14 women) and noncohabiting (n = 18; 9 men and 9 women). The authors found statistically significant improvements in relationship satisfaction for men and women who completed premarital counseling and statistically significant improvements in individual distress for men upon completion of treatment. The authors also found statistically significant differences in relationship satisfaction for men and women between those who completed and those who did not complete the premarital counseling treatment. Implications for couples counselors, as well as recommendations for future research, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Low-income married couples face unique stressors that contribute to increased relationship distress. Federal funding has supported research initiatives aimed at studying how marriage and relationship education (MRE) influences the relationships of low-income married participants. However, research identified recruitment and retention of low-income participants as a major obstacle to the replication of these programs. Therefore, this study examined programmatic data from 786 low-income married participants to investigate how recruitment follow-up influenced attendance in the MRE program. A weak, inverse relationship was found for women between the number of pre-enrollment phone calls made and hours spent in MRE. We found a statistically significant difference between who was contacted (wife, husband, or both) and attendance to the initial intake appointment for program enrollment. Implications and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to examine differences between parents of children with special needs and parents of children without special needs in levels of distress and community resource engagement. There were 29 participants. No significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to individual and marital distress, but parents of children with special needs had significantly more engagement with community resources. When analyzing parent total visits (PTV) and child total visits (CTV), the CTV for parents of children with special needs averaged just over 50 visits for a six-month period compared to 0.29 for the comparison group. Implications for practice, such as use of transdisciplinary teams, and for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe how 3 groups of family caregivers (spouses, daughters, and sons) are affected by the caregiving role. In addition, clinical considerations and interventions for mental health professionals working with these different groups of family caregivers are discussed. A clinical case example is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with White persons, Black/African American persons in the United States continue to experience high rates of educational deficits and employment stagnation as well as lower college graduation rates. This study examined the influences on Black/African American and White college students' high school completion, college attendance, and career choice. Results indicate that future income and future status have a greater influence on the career choice of Black/African American college students than on the career choice of White college students. The authors discuss these findings and present implications for career development professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past decade, several studies have been published that investigated the social, emotional, and physical functioning of grandparents raising their grandchildren. Research suggests grandparents in these families experience high levels of stress and psychosocial difficulty. In addition, the available data suggest children raised by their grandparents often encounter behavioral, emotional, and academic problems at school. The problems they experience indicate these children require intervention assistance from psychologists, school counselors, and other school professionals. This paper provides a brief report of the phenomenon, particularly as it relates to the grandchildren's school-related functioning. Practical and theory-based interventions are described to improve the educational and developmental outcomes of these grandchildren. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family caregiving for individuals with dementia is an increasingly complex issue that affects the caregivers' and care recipients' physical, mental, and emotional health. This article presents 3 key culturally sensitive caregiver models along with clinical interventions relevant for mental health counseling professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents dream that their children will have every benefit possible to survive and thrive in the world. When their children have special needs, these dreams are challenged. Parents must adjust to the needs of their child and to the loss of this aspect of their dream. Common challenges and considerations when working with fathers of children with special needs are presented. "Redreaming," an intervention to facilitate positive reappraisal, and creative approaches are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perimenopause, which recently has been recognized as separate from menopause, affects approximately 22 million U.S. women. It is a time when women are at greater risk for emotional, relationship, and sexual problems. The authors describe the symptoms of perimenopause, discuss the resulting psychosocial and sexual impact, and present treatment implications for counselors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the influence of childhood parental bonding on emotional distress experienced by caregiving sons for a parent with dementia. Role of caregivers in the health and adjustment of persons with dementia; Importance of the use of different research questions to the study; Childhood parental bonding types based on the care and overprotection factor.

Individuals with economic disadvantage experience greater (a) adverse childhood experiences (ACE), (b) risk for low relationship quality and relationship dissolution, and (c) disparity in physical and mental health. Thus, a critical need exists to understand the connections between areas of disparity in family and relational health on physical and mental health for those most vulnerable to the deleterious effects. The researchers therefore tested a dyadic model for the mediation of ACE and health by relationship quality with data from 503 couples with economic disadvantage and a racial or ethnic minority background (76.9%). The data fit the proposed model and explained a majority of the variance in health, 82.3% of the variance in menʼs health and 56.5% in womenʼs health—both large effects. Moreover, the significant indirect pathway between ACE and health through relationship quality contributed 98.05% and 57.40% of the total effects for men and women, respectively. Overall, a significant relationship existed between ACE, relationship quality, and health for men and women at the actor‐level and the dyadic influence between members of a couple contributed to the overall model fit. Results add to support for the role of relationship quality as a dyadic social determinant of health disparities with implications for prevention and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients in medical settings with more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as sexual abuse, demonstrate reduced treatment adherence and greater relational difficulties with providers, potentially contributing to negative health outcomes. Integrated care addresses holistic patient healthcare needs within an interdisciplinary treatment team. Trauma-informed care serves as a potential approach to address patient and provider difficulty, yet practical guidance as to how to implement this approach within integrated care settings is lacking. This article makes the case for trauma-informed integrated care and provides a case example in an oncology setting to illustrate the utility of trauma-informed integrated care with the use of an embedded mental health counselor. Resulting training and practice recommendations include (a) universal screening for ACE in medical settings, (b) enhanced interprofessional education, and (c) provision of embedded counseling and supervision services within integrated care settings. Future research directions are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States is facing a crisis with respect to filling job vacancies within science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) industries and with students completing STEM undergraduate degrees. In addition, disparities exist for females and ethnic minorities within STEM fields. Whereas prior research has centered on disparities in STEM fields, retention rates, and some intervention programs, researchers have not given much attention to the role of career development initiatives within STEM recruitment and retention programming. The purpose of the present study was to incorporate demographic variables, math performance, and career development-related factors into predictive models of STEM retention with a sample of undergraduate students within a STEM recruitment and retention program. The resulting two models accurately predicted first-year to second-year retention with 73.4% of the cases and accurately predicted first-year to third-year retention with 70.0% of the cases. Based on the results, the researchers provide a rationale for STEM career programming in K-12 and higher education settings and for the inclusion of career development and career counseling in STEM education programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undergraduate career planning courses have shown efficacy in decreasing students’ negative career thoughts; however, universities have minimally applied these courses to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) populations. This study compared the influence of a STEM‐focused career planning course for undecided STEM students with a seminar course for decided STEM majors. An analysis of covariance with covariate adjustment revealed that undecided career planning students had lower adjusted mean scores on a measure of negative career thinking than the decided STEM majors after the first semester of college. The results provide support for the efficacy of STEM‐focused career planning courses and measuring negative career thoughts with STEM undergraduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research gap exists with regard to examining the influence of career interventions and career readiness assessments on student retention in college majors related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To address this gap, the authors examined 3 variables as potential predictors of retention in STEM-related majors: (a) a STEM-focused career planning intervention, (b) students' initial major declarations, and (c) changes in scores on a measure of career readiness. Results revealed that all 3 independent variables were significant predictors of STEM retention but did not accurately predict students who would not be retained. These results have implications for undergraduate STEM initiatives, college counselors and career advisors, and researchers investigating the predictors of STEM retention. Future research should include additional predictor variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current literature yields mixed results about the effectiveness of relationship education ( RE) with low-income participants and those who experience a high level of individual or relational distress. Scholars have called for research that examines whether initial levels of distress act as a moderator of RE outcomes. To test whether initial levels of relationship and/or individual distress moderate the effectiveness of RE, this study used two samples, one of couples who received couple-oriented relationship education with their partner ( n = 192 couples) and one of individuals in a relationship who received individual-oriented RE by themselves ( n = 60 individuals). We delivered RE in a community-based setting serving primarily low-income participants. For those attending with a partner, there was a significant interaction between gender, initial distress, and time. Findings indicate that women who were relationally distressed before RE reported the largest pre-postgains. Those who attended an individual-oriented RE program reported significant decreases in individual distress from pre to post, but no significant relationship gains. Findings also suggest that initial levels of distress did not moderate the effectiveness of individual-oriented RE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood abuse is pervasive and can contribute to long-term adverse consequences for the victim. Child advocacy centers (CAC) provide a community-based and coordinated response to intervention, including mental health counseling. Although evidence-based treatments include techniques to address problematic thinking, these are reported as less preferred and underused by CAC counselors. The present study employs multivariate analysis to examine the influence of cognitive schemas on treatment outcomes for 58 children who received sendees from a CAC. We found significant improvements in pre to post scores on the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (IS CC) subscales for depression and anxiety. Additionally, treatment outcomes of participants with clinically significant pre-Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale (TABS) total scores significantly differed from participants with nonsignificant pre-TABS scores. Clinical and research implications are presented related to counseling sendees for survivors o f child abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing a community sample of 58 couples (116 individuals), we tested a brief couples counseling approach, the Integrative Model of Brief Couples Counseling (IMBCC). Participants received 4-6 sessions of couples counseling conducted by graduate students during their supervised field experience. We assessed participants' marital adjustment and psychological distress at pretest and posttest. Results indicated significant decreases in psychological distress and improved marital adjustment following couples counseling utilizing the IMBCC. Further research utilizing randomized controls is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economically strained couples experience a multitude of chronic stressors and are at greater risk for lower quality relationships with their children. Relationship education (RE) programs indicate positive results for economically strained couples who attend. However, most studies examine relationship satisfaction or communication patterns with few addressing the influence of RE on parental attitudes. Therefore, we examined changes in parental attitudes for couples (n = 70) and compared differences in parental attitudes as measured by the empathy and family roles subscales of the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2 at pre- and post-assessment. Results partially supported the hypothesis becasue participants indicated no significant differences between pre- and post-scores on empathy; however, participants did indicate significant differences between pre- and post-scores on family roles. Implications of results and discussion are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The authors randomly assigned 54 ethnically diverse, low-income married couples with children to receive relationship education either immediately or in 6 months. Couples attended 12 hours of relationship education using the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program curriculum. The authors collected pre- and postassessment data and compared differences in relationship satisfaction between treatment and wait-list control couples. Results indicated significant differences in relationship satisfaction between the 2 groups. Findings support relationship education as an efficacious intervention for low-income couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Couples and relationship education (CRE) programs indicate positive results for low-income couples who attend. However, most studies examined relationship satisfaction or communication patterns, with few addressing the influence of CRE on parental alliance and even fewer examining parental alliances for those who attend couples-level and individual-level programs. Thus, we examined changes in parental alliance for participants who attended CRE individually (n = 182) and with their partner (n = 190). Participants who attended couples level CRE with a partner reported significant parental alliance improvements at post-assessments, while those who attended individual level CRE independently did not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results are mixed for relationship education (RE) interventions with low‐income couples. For couples who experienced positive changes, it is not clear what aspects of program models contributed to change. Many low‐income couples attend government‐funded RE with limited access to social and community resources. Program models often provide related resources complimentary to RE skill‐building. We examined the relationship between income, social support, and family functioning for low‐income, ethnically diverse couples (N = 856) who attended RE, as well as the mediating effects of social support on family functioning outcomes. Analyses included three separate dyadic models that examined associations among constructs at baseline and immediately following the RE intervention. Results demonstrated relationships between participants' reported social support and family functioning such that (a) social support was associated with baseline family functioning for both men and women; (b) men's baseline social support was influenced by women's baseline family functioning; and (c) men's and women's social support change score had a positive influence on their own family functioning change score. However, social support was not a significant mediator of change in family functioning. Implications for RE practice and research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined relationship satisfaction trajectories of low-income ethnic minority couples from a preintervention assessment to the fifth assessment at 120 days after enrollment in the relationship education intervention. Analysis included covariates of employment status, income, years of education, and length of relationship in the trajectories. The researchers drew the 5 waves of data from 728 couples who participated in a large, 4-year, federally funded project—Project TOGETHER (To Offer Great Education That Harvests Enduring Relationships). The results of the dyadic latent growth curve modeling revealed the linearity of growth in relationship satisfaction among couples; specifically, both male and female partners having significant positive growth of relationship satisfaction from intake through 120-day post-RE intervention. Interestingly, when we analyzed distressed and nondistressed couples separately, growth trajectories for both groups were not significant. The researchers present a discussion of implications for policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Families caring for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a unique parenting experience and often report high stress. Resilience factors such as coping and social support are linked to positive family outcomes and protect against stress. The Family Adjustment Measure (FAM) was developed as a screener for both parental stress and coping, and in the current study, we validated its use for ASD-affected families. Methods: With data from parents of children and adolescents with rigorously-confirmed ASD diagnoses (n = 362), we also used receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) analyses to identify cut-off scores, sensitivity, and specificity for the FAM's four subscales, which differed for parents of children versus parents of adolescents. Results: For parents of children, FAM subscale cut-off scores were: Parental Distress = 16.5 (78% sensitivity, 64% specificity); Social Support = 30.5 (70% sensitivity, 52% specificity); Family-Based Support = 27.5 (73% sensitivity, 57% specificity); and Positive Coping = 24.5 (58% sensitivity, 54% specificity). For parents of adolescents, FAM subscale cut-points were: Parental Distress = 18.5 (83% sensitivity, 82% specificity); Social Support = 30.5 (73% sensitivity, 51% specificity); Family-Based Support = 28.5 (80% sensitivity, 62% specificity); and Positive Coping = 22.5 (70% sensitivity, 50% specificity). Conclusions: Results support the validity of using the FAM subscales to predict clinically-significant stress within families of both children and adolescents with ASD, though the differing cut-off scores underscore the need for age-related considerations when working with ASD-affected families. Findings suggest potential clinical utility of using the FAM to identify unique risk and protective factors of families raising children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article the authors discuss the article "Healthy Marriage Initiatives: On the Need for Empiricism in Policy Implementation" by M. D. Johnson. They are supportive of government supported marriage and relationship education programs for lower income couples and of the aims and objectives of Johnson's research but are critical of several points raised and or omitted in Johnson's article.