Exploring Visible and Invisible Differences and Similarities in Couple Therapy

ABSTRACT

Interracial couples continue to grow in numbers, though there has been little research aimed to understand the experiences and unique challenges of this population. Among these challenges are stressors associated with the interplay between cultural differences and similarities. In this paper, we present an intervention called the visible invisible grid, that can be used to help interracial and intercultural couples discuss their invisible and visible differences and similarities. To illustrate the intervention, a case example is provided along with contraindications and clinical implications.     

Aide entre conjoints. Dynamiques de genre dans les couples adultes avec handicap

Family care for disabled adults is more often provided by women, but spousal care more often by men. Hands-on care is equally provided by male and female spouses, but care for daily life is provided twice as much by male than by female spouses. The article describes and tries to explain this paradox. Three hypotheses have been explored: gender differences in disability prevalence; gender differences in couple life with equivalent disability; gender differences in spousal care for disabled people living in couples. The study is limited to the adult population, i.e. to disabled people of 18–59 years old. Data come from the French HSM-HAS Health Survey (INSEE, 2008). Results show gender similarities in disability prevalence, in couple life and in hands-on care. Care in daily life, on the contrary, is much more provided by male spouses, even after controlling for disability characteristics. Especially women with few restrictions get more help from their male spouse than men in the same situation. The difference seems to be more related to the initial gender division of activities than to gendered willingness for care when disability arrives. Domestic activities can be taken over by a household member, professional activities cannot. It is not disability but preexisting division of activities that create differences in spousal care.     

夫妻生活习惯与不良生育史的关系

目的调查西城区育龄妇女不良生育史的发生情况及与夫妻双方生活习惯的关系,为优生优育工作提供依据。方法采用横断面调查,对2005—2009年北京市西城区12191位有生育意愿育龄妇女的不良生育史,夫妻双方生活习惯、危险因素接触及患病情况等进行分析,探讨影响不良生育史发生的因素。结果研究人群的不良生育史发生比例为2．1％,其中自然流产史发生比例为1．6％;妻子挑食,丈夫吸烟、饮酒者自然流产史发生比例高;夫妻至少一方接触毒物,妻子挑食,丈夫饮酒者死胎死产史发生比例高;夫妻至少一方吸烟,丈夫接触毒物者宫外孕史发生比例高,与无上述因素者比较,差异有统计学意义;Logistic回归结果显示,妻子挑食（OR=1．2,95％CI：1．0～1．4）、丈夫吸烟（OR=2．0,95％CI：1．4—2．8）者发生自然流产史的风险高;妻子挑食（OR=1．2,95％CI：1．0—1．4）、丈夫饮酒（OR=2．0,95％CI：1．4～2．8）、丈夫接触毒物（OR=6．3,95％CI：2．3—17．3）者发生不良生育史风险高。结论不良生育史的发生与夫妻生活习惯有关,预防不良生殖结局的发生应将夫妻双方均作为目标人群进行干预。     

精神分裂症患者配偶生活质量和社会支持研究

目的：探讨维、汉精神分裂症患者配偶生活质量和社会支持状况,提高其生活质量.方法：采用一般资料调查表、生活质量综合评定问卷、社会支持评定量表对210例精神分裂症患者配偶（维106例、汉104例）及60例已婚正常对照者进行评定.结果：患者配偶总体生活质量较对照组差,并涉及到躯体功能等四个维度.社会支持总量及主观支持低于对照组（P＜0.05）,客观支持高于对照组（P＞0.05）.维、汉患者配偶总体生活质量无差异,只存在单因子方面差异.主观支持及社会支持总量高于汉族患者配偶.结论：维、汉患者配偶生活质量不高及低社会支持水平,应引起社会关注.     

Outcomes in couple therapy: Reduced psychiatric symptoms and improved sense of coherence

In Sweden, only a few empirical studies of couple therapy have been performed. This is the hitherto most comprehensive assessment of clinical treatment. Effectiveness of treatment is reported and compared with non-clinical ratings. Initially the couples displayed marital distress, many psychiatric symptoms, dyadic interactions characterized by high criticism and a low sense of coherence. In Sweden, couple therapy is primarily aimed to reduce marital distress and does not focus on individual disorders. It should be seen as innovative that overall psychic symptoms (Global Symptom Index, GSI) as well as depressive symptoms were reduced (more than one standard deviation) for both women and men to the extent of 50–55%. Normal values were attained by 73–78%. Of those who initially identified a low sense of coherence, 22% of the women and 37% of the men improved (more than one standard deviation). Normal values were attained by 68–70%. The treatment was relatively short, which meant that, with relatively limited treatment, it was also possible to attain relatively significant improvements in all dimensions of psychiatric symptoms.     

Couple relationships among parents of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from a scoping review of the literature

To explore commonly-held assumptions regarding the risk of couple breakdown in families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a scoping review of quantitative (n = 39), qualitative (n = 15), and mixed (n = 5) studies was conducted. Findings include themes related to marriage and divorce rates, relationship satisfaction and conflict, and other significant variables. Parents and service providers of individuals with ASD will benefit from knowing that strategies such as developing common goals, increasing partner respect, securing social support, reducing stress, and instilling hope are all factors which support the development and maintenance of positive couple and co-parenting relationships.     

Couple Narratives and Adult Attachment – Using Conversation Analysis in Assessment

Observation of unstructured interactional dialogue in a clinical setting using the method of conversation analysis found that couples at assessment interact in ways that show close association with features determined from their adult attachment classification. Two couples were selected from a cohort of research participants seeking couple psychotherapy, both with high scores on the Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus, 1979), but with different attachment status as independently assessed in individual adult attachment interviews. Each couple was videotaped, without interviewer, in 15 minute discussions of their problems. Their conversational strategies identified using Conversation Analysis showed close agreement with those associated with each participant's adult attachment status as independently derived using the Adult Attachment Interview. This study provides a first step in building an evidence base for a joint couple attachment interview, as proposed by Fisher and Crandell (2001).     

Quand l’homme est battu par la femme : réflexions psychanalytiques sur l’inversion des pôles de violence de genre dans le couple

Objective

In this article, the authors explore the clinical issues of domestic violence from a particular viewpoint: when the man is beaten by the woman.