Predicting Stepfamily Functioning From Marital Quality and Step-Relationship Quality

In this study we examine whether marital quality or stepparent-stepchild relationship quality are better predictors of stepfamily functioning. Dyadic data were collected from 323 remarried couples with at least one child from a prior union. Both partners independently responded to online surveys that assessed marital quality, stepparent-stepchild relationship quality, and perceived stepfamily functioning. Data collection recently ended;  preliminary data analyses  using MPlus 7.4 are underway to run an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model. Selected demographics are used as covariates in this model (e.g., years together, number of children in the family, gender combination of stepparent and target child). Implications for practice will be discussed.

Objectives

To examine the relations among marital quality, stepparent-stepchild relationship quality, and stepfamily functioning.To explore how remarried individuals affect and are affected by their spouse’s experiences in stepfamilies.To analyze the relative effects of marital quality and step-relationship quality on perceptions of stepfamily functioning.

All-Star Marriages: Professional Athletes and Successful Marriage

Professional athletes and their spouses face unique demands and threats to marriage. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to understand the experience of married professional athletes and their spouses related to their efforts to maintain successful marriage relationships, in spite of the unique challenges associated with professional sports. The results include five themes associated with successful marriages in professional athlete couples: prioritizing the marriage, protecting the marriage, commitment to marriage, partner support, and helpful mentors. Implications will be discussed for married professional athletes and their spouses, as well as MFTs who work with these couples.

Objectives

Based on the content of the session I am able to identify essential strategies married professional athletes and their spouses use to maintain a strong marriage.Based on the content of the session I am able to list three threats to marriage faced by professional athletes and their spouses.Based on the content of the session I am able to help couples in high-demand professions protect and nourish their marriage.

Evaluation of the TOGETHER Program: A Couples' Model to Enhance Relationships and Economic Stability

This presentation reports findings from the outcome evaluation of the TOGETHER Program, a model to enhance couple relationships and economic stability among low-income families.  TOGETHER integrates an evidence-based 20-hour/8-week intervention on healthy relationships with financial education, case management, and employment/career services to enhance couple relationships and economic stability. The evaluation utilized a randomized control trial (RCT) design to assess TOGETHER’s effectiveness on relationship functioning and economic stability. Evaluation data are reported from 129 couples enrolled during the first two years of the five-year RCT. Significant group (intervention vs. control) and gender (women vs. men) effects were found. Implications are discussed for couple relationship research and practice. 

Objectives

To describe a couples’ model, the TOGETHER Program, that integrates couples’ relationship education with financial education, case management, employment/career services, and other supportive services 
To evaluate the effectiveness of the TOGETHER Program’s integrated model on participants’ relationship functioning and economic stability as compared to a control group
 To identify implications for future couples’ research and the development of evidence-based practices that facilitate couples’ positive relationship functioning and economic stability

Enhancing Marital Satisfaction: Black Monoracial vs. Black Interracial Couples

Research indicates that Black monoracial marriages are more enduring than marriages between Black men and White women, but not as enduring as marriages between Black women and White men. This study compares factors that contribute to marital satisfaction in Black monoracial and Black-White marriages. The role of problem solving skills, openness in communication and self-esteem in buffering the impact of negative interactions and experiences of discrimination on marital satisfaction will be compared and contrasted across 195 Black monoracial and 178 Black-White marriages. Implications for clinical practice and further research will be discussed.

Objectives

Participants will become familiar with differences in factors that contribute to marital satisfaction in Black monoracial and interracial marriages.Participants will learn of how Black monoracial couples manage relationship stress differently from Black-White couples.Participants will be provided with ideas of how to utilize research findings to imform  clinical practice with Black couples.

Communication Methods and Relationship Satisfaction in Emerging Adults

Communication mediated by technology is often utilized by emerging adults in romantic relationships and research has shown that it can have both positive and negative impacts on relationship satisfaction. A survey was distributed to n = 100 students at a Midwestern University at two time points to assess the relationship between different technology communication behaviors and relationship and sexual satisfaction. Results indicated that face to face communication at time 1 was predictive of future relationship satisfaction and relationships satisfaction at time 1 was predictive of future texting behavior. Clinical implications are discussed.

Objectives

To assess which forms of communication are associated with relationship and sexual satisfaction over time in emerging adults.To evaluate how sexting behaviors are influenced by methods of communication over time.To determine if forms of communication are influenced by relationship satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, or sexting.