Concurrent Sessions 4 - (NBCC CE Credit: #1 hr and Conference Attendance Credit: #1 hr)

206-01: Individual and Relational Healing From Infidelity: Two Grounded Theories
Stephen Fife, Alex Theobald, Melissa Silva, Lorena Posdas, Ariana Rivero, Jordan Harrell, Jacob Gossner, Britney Yakum, Kelsey White

Summary
We present the results of two grounded theory studies: 1) a study with couples who have stayed together and worked through a process of healing from infidelity, and 2) a study with individuals who have experienced personal healing but are no longer with their partners who committed infidelity. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews that included general questions about individuals' and couples' healing process in and out of therapy, along with more in-depth questions regarding trust, anger, forgiveness, setbacks, and how to overcome those setbacks. Analysis of the data resulted in two models of the process of healing from infidelity. These models can guide clinicians and clients alike towards a timely focus on therapeutic principles, healing experiences, and helpful content in and outside of therapy.

Objectives
-- To demonstrate the nuances and complexities in the processes of healing from infidelity for individuals and relationships.
-- To analyze how therapists effectively or ineffectively engage with clients during the healing process.
-- To strengthen clinician's ability to gently direct clients towards principles of healing common among those who are seeking healing from infidelity.

Subject Codes: healing, infidelity, relationships
Population Codes: inclusive of adults, marital status, relational status, and family structure or identity, diverse but not representative
Method and Approach Codes: grounded theory, grounded theory, grounded theory

206-02: Husbands' Experience of Being Trusted by Their Wives: A Rare Focus on Recipients of Trust
Paul Johns

Summary
Surprisingly little attention has been given to recipients of trust and their unique experiences, whereas relational dynamics of interpersonal trust and the experience of trustors have received the lion's share of consideration. Interdependence theory, attachment theory, and Bowen family systems theory, among others, point to trustors' intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics that may deeply influence experiences of recipients, even with trustworthiness assumed. Thus, a deep, initial dive into recipients' experiences was warranted. Using a heuristic inquiry, qualitative methodology with husbands, this study began to illuminate the profound impact a wife's trust can have on a husband. Themes such as deep satisfaction, security, intimacy, and freedom emerged setting the stage for further research into the role a trusty's experience may play in interpersonal trust dynamics.

Objectives
-- Participants will be introduced to the need for greater understanding of the recipient of trust experience.
-- Participants will learn the results of the heuristic inquiry into husbands' experience of being trusted by their wives.
-- Participants will understand how the results of this study point toward a need for further research and understanding of the recipient experience in theory construction and clinical practice.

Subject Codes: interpersonal relationships, relationship quality, vulnerabilities
Population Codes: marriage and family therapists/clinicians, couples/coupled, Family Scientists
Method and Approach Codes: clinical/therapeutic orientation, qualitative methodology, systems

206-03: Stress and Couple Relationship Satisfaction: Fondness as an Adaptive Process?
Emily Charvat, Alaysia Brown, Chelsea Garneau-Rosner

Summary
Chronic exposure to external stressors may impair romantic relationship functioning by altering intradyadic interactions and cognitions about the relationship.Fondness, or appreciation for one's partner, has been found to decreasephysiological and psychological responses to stress (e.g., Floyd & Riforgiate, 2008). The current study sought to investigate whether fondness operates as an adaptive process to manage the impact of stress on romantic relationship satisfaction, based on the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaption Model (Karney & Bradbury, 1995). Data came from a larger intervention studythat provides community-basedrelationship education classes. Findings suggest that the negative association between stress and relationship satisfaction is attenuated when partners display greater fondness and admiration. Clinical work may benefit by teaching couples how to cultivate and maintain fondness amid times of stress.

Objectives
-- To apply the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaption Model when examining how external stress is associated with overall relationship functioning
-- To demonstrate that fondness can serve as an adaptive process for couples, such that it moderates the association between external stress and relationship satisfaction
-- To offer a recommendation for marriage and family therapists to strengthen partners' fondness as a strategy for increasing relationship functioning amid stressful experiences

Subject Codes: interpersonal relationships, stress, relationship quality
Population Codes: couples/coupled, romantic partners
Method and Approach Codes: multilevel modeling, regression: linear (simple, multiple, hierarchical)

206-04: Exploring the Impact of Work-Related Traumatic Stress on Law Enforcement Couples
Avery Campbell, Ashley Landers

Summary
Law enforcement (LE) couples experience stressors that are unique to the LE profession's job demands and cultural characteristics (e.g. exposure to critical events, demanding work schedules, difficulty seeking help "outside the culture"). The lingering effects of work-related traumatic stress often donot go away before the end of a law enforcement professional's work shift. In accordance, exposure to work-related traumatic events or stressors can have an impact not only on the individual law enforcement professional, but also on their family relationships, particularly the couple's relationship. Researchers used transcendental phenomenological methods to explore LE couples' lived experiences of work-related traumatic stress within the LE profession. This study aims to illuminate the couple interactions that could potentially impact relationship stability, satisfaction, and other important facets of the couple relationship for law enforcement couples.

Objectives
-- To apply Secondary Traumatic Stress Theory to understand law enforcement couple experiences of work-related traumatic stress.
-- To examine the impact of work-related traumatic stress from the law enforcement profession on various areas within the couple relationship (e.g. relationship satisfaction, relationship commitment, conflict, role relationship, parenting).
-- To provide informed implications for future research and clinical initiatives involving law enforcement couples and families.

Subject Codes: trauma, relationships, work-family issues
Population Codes: couples/coupled
Method and Approach Codes: qualitative methodology

Facilitator: Candice Maier