Concurrent Sessions 7 - (NBCC CE Credit: #1 hr and Conference Attendance Credit: #1 hr)

306-01: Couple BMI Trajectory Patterns During Mid-Later Years: Socioeconomic Stratification and Later-Life Physical Health Outcomes
Kandauda A. S. Wickrama, Tae Lee, Catherine O'Neal

Summary
Although previous studies have documented spousal resemblance in health attributes, questions remain regarding the longitudinal resemblance of spouses' BMI and the possible formation of couple-level BMI trajectory patterns. The present studyusing prospective data from a sample of 255 couples in enduring marriages over a period of 26 years (from 1991 to 2017)examined (a) the existence of couple-level BMI trajectory patterns in mid-later years, (b) their social stratification into heterogeneous groups of couples associated with family economic hardship (FEH), and (c) differential later-life health outcomes of these groups. The results provided evidence for groups of couples with distinct BMI trajectory patterns. Couple BMI trajectory patterns were associated with latent groups of FEH trajectories and were consequential for physical health consequences in later years.

Objectives
-- To investigate the existence of distinct groups of couples with similar BMI trajectory patterns.
-- To investigate the social stratification of couple BMI trajectory patterns into heterogeneous groups of couples (as evidenced by their association with family economic hardship).
-- To investigate differential health outcomes of these groups of couples with distinct BMI trajectory patterns.

Subject Codes: aging, economics, physical health
Population Codes: older adults, couples/coupled, rural
Method and Approach Codes: actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), structural equation modeling (SEM), longitudinal research

306-02: Conjoint Trajectories of Couple Marital and Parental Conflictual Behaviors and Later Health and Relationship Consequences
Seonhwa Lee, Kandauda Wickrama, Tae Kyoung Lee

Summary
Utilizing latent class growth analysis (LCGA) and prospective data of 370 couples who remained married, this study identified latent classes of family conflictual behaviors (FCC) trajectory patterns over midlife (1990-1994) and the differential later health outcomes and marital satisfaction (2001). The results supported the notion that marital and parental conflictual behaviors were intertwined and co-developed creating family conflictual environment. Couples with higher levels of family conflictual environment over time may have a higher risk of poor physical health and lower marital satisfaction in later years.

Objectives
-- We will investigate the existence of couple-level marital and parental conflictual behaviors trajectories over the mid years (1990-1994).
-- We will investigate the existence of heterogeneous groups of couples with marital and parental trajectory patterns.
-- We will investigate differential later-life health outcomes of these groups (2001).

Subject Codes: interpersonal relationships, parent-child relationships, family processes
Population Codes: middle adulthood, nationally-representative
Method and Approach Codes: longitudinal research, group based trajectory analysis, quantitative methodology

Paper Cancelled: 306-03: Repartnering and Maternal Well-Being: Does Number of Previous Divorces Matter?
Lauren B. Floyd, Michael R. Langlais

Summary
Although the formation of romantic relationships after divorce is helpful for maternal adjustment, dating experiences of mothers who have divorced two or more times may have varied effects for maternal wellbeing. The goal of this study is to examine changes in maternal wellbeing when mothers form, maintain, and end dating relationships after going through multiple divorces (i.e., at least two divorces). These mothers will be compared to mothers who only divorced once, to see if dating impacts their wellbeing differently depending on the frequency of maternal divorces. Hierarchical linear modeling techniques using longitudinal data are used to address these goals.

Objectives:
-- To apply family systems theory to repartnering relationships when mothers have experienced two or more divorces.
-- To examine the relationship between post-divorce dating and maternal well-being for mothers who have experienced two or more divorces
-- To provide data-informed recommendations to promote post-divorce family adjustment in the context of repartnering. 

Subject Codes: dating, mental health, relationship formation
Population Codes: divorced, re-partnered family, romantic partners
Method and Approach Codes: quantitative methodology, longitudinal modeling, longitudinal research

306-04: Low Quality Marriages, High Anxiety? a Meta-Analytic Review of the Associations Between Marital Quality and Anxiety From 2000 - 2020
Kaicee Postler, Heather Helms, Arthur Anastopoulos

Summary
This study investigated linkages between marital quality and anxiety using meta-analytic techniques. A total of k = 256 effects published between the years 2000 - 2020 were analyzed. Overall marital quality, which subsumes several underlying concepts, including marital behaviors, adjustment, distress, and satisfaction, was assessed. Additional post hoc analyses examined the association between each underlying marital quality indicator and anxiety separately. As expected, higher overall marital quality was associated with lower anxiety. Post hoc analyses revealed that higher positive marital quality indicators (e.g., communication, adjustment, satisfaction) were associated with lower anxiety. Similarly, lower negative marital quality indicators (e.g., criticism, distress) were associated with lower anxiety. Several moderating variables, such as gender and study design, were examined. Implications for treatment and research were discussed.

Objectives
-- To examine associations between marital quality and anxiety using meta-analytic techniques.
-- To analyze empirical literature examining linkages between marriage and anxiety published between 2000 -- 2020.
-- To inform future research and provide treatment recommendations to better support married couples and individuals experiencing anxiety.

Subject Codes: mental health, relationship quality
Population Codes: first married, emotional (dis)ability
Method and Approach Codes: meta-analysis

Facilitator: Jennifer Young