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Mattering And Attachment: A Bilateral Association That Underlies Relationship Outcomes In Couples, Jacob Ybarra

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In this master's thesis, I conducted a quantitative study using data from 100 heterosexual couples in a committed, romantic relationship to better understand the relationship between perceived mattering (PM) and attachment and to explore how mattering relates to various mental health and relationship outcomes. All 200 partners independently completed an online anonymous questionnaire consisting of various quantitative assessments measuring my study variables (e.g., attachment, PM, and relationship and mental health outcomes).

I used dyadic data analysis to examine how study variables related to an individual's outcomes as well as their partner's. Overall, findings from the first analysis highlighted that men …

It's About Time: Examining The Role Of Time Together And Perceived Stress In Couple Relationships, Rachel J. H. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Because stress is a common struggle in romantic relationships and because stress can spill over into couples’ interactions and affect their level of relationship connection, it is important to understand what can help couples adapt to stress and maintain meaningful relationships. Quality time together has been found to have positive effects on relationship outcomes overall. Additionally, family stress theory has posited that having sufficient resources can help couples adapt to stress and avoid a crisis situation. As such, time together was examined as a potential resource for couples to draw upon to adapt to the potential negative effects of perceived …

Stillbirth: A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Clinical Encounter For Couples, Michael Q. King

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With approximately 65 stillbirths occurring each day in the United States, a significant number of parents are left to navigate a difficult grieving process. An event like stillbirth presents many individual and relational challenges. For this study, researchers focused on the hospital experience for couples following notification of stillbirth. Interviews were held with 8 couples that had experienced stillbirth within the past 10 years. Researchers wanted to know what similarities and differences existed in how mothers and fathers described the clinical encounter.

The data for this study were collected through interviews. Couples were encouraged to share as much or as …

The Process Of Couples' Experiences In A Brief Intervention, D. Jim Mock

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many couples struggle with their relationship, but resist seeking professional assistance due to concerns about time commitment, financial expense, and/or fear of stigma associated with treatment. To address these concerns the relationship checkup has been developed. Though there has been limited research of this format, there is still much to be explored. This study presents the findings from semi-structured interviews of ten couples who participated in a form of this intervention and their corresponding clinicians. Each interview was analyzed for commonalities among the responses and distilled into two sets of themes: the couples' and the clinicians'. Themes for the couples …

Financial Management Practices And Conflict Management Styles Of Couples In Great Marriages, Amanda Marie Horrocks

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study presents findings on the financial management practices and degrees of conflict of couples in great marriages. Qualitative data from a national sample of couples in great marriages were collected using a 31-page questionnaire. Of the 81 couples who responded, 40 fit the criteria for this study in that they discussed their level of agreement about financial issues in marriage. Their responses were coded to discover which financial topics are pervasive and whether or not couples agreed over these topics. Responses about conflict were also analyzed to determine the degree of agreement between spouses in different categories. Findings from …

Towards A More Comprehensive View Of The Use Of Power Between Couple Members In Adolescent Romantic Relationships, Charles George Bentley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the construct of power in adolescent romantic couples using multiple measures. The project examined gender differences in power, created models of powerlessness for each gender, and examined relations between power and aggression and relationship quality. Participants were 90 heterosexual couples, aged 14-18 years old, living in rural areas in Utah and Arizona. Couple members completed surveys assessing attitudes and behaviors in their relationships and a video-recall procedure in which partners rated their own and their partner's behaviors during problem solving discussion.

Few gender differences emerged in reports of perpetration of aggression, but boyfriends reported higher levels of …

Factors That Influence Marital Satisfaction In Couples Raising A Child With Cerebral Palsy, Sarah L. Stoker

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study examined factors that influence marital satisfaction in couples raising a child with cerebral palsy. The theoretical frameworks for this study were drawn from family systems theory and the social ecology model.

Twenty-eight married couples raising a child between the ages of 3-17 years, with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, comprised the sample for this study. Participants were classified as raising a child who is mildly/moderately or severely impaired by cerebral palsy. Participants were recruited through referrals of professionals working in local organizations that provide services and support for persons with disabilities and their families.

Data were analyzed using …

Congruency Of Identity Style In Married Couples, Jerry L. Cook

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study assessed the importance that similar identity style plays in the relationships within recently married couples. To assess the congruency of similar and dissimilar identity style, three postulates were analyzed. These postulates included: (a) Is there a gender difference in reports of marital intimacy? (b) Is similarity of identity style related to marital intimacy? (c) Is there an interaction effect between gender and similarity of identity style in relation to reports of marital intimacy? A sample consisting of 84 couples completed a survey containing questions relevant to identity and marital intimacy. Demographic information was also requested in the survey. …

Marital Satisfaction Over The Family Life Cycle Among Taiwanese Couples, Sheng-Te Chang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not there were different subjective reports of marital satisfaction or dissatisfaction across the life cycle for Taiwanese couples. In examining this question two of the three selected instruments demonstrated sufficient reliability so as to be included in the overall study, namely, the Marital Adjustment Scale (MAS) and the Spanier Dyadic Adjust Scale (SDAS). These instruments were translated from English to Chinese, then administered to 259 couples volunteering to participate in the study. Couples were grouped according to their placement along the life cycle.

The results of the study indicate that …

The Effects Of Assertiveness Training On Marital Adjustment, Valerie H. Mead

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of assertive training on the marital adjustment of those participating. It was of particular interest to identify the effects of training wives only as compared to training couples jointly in assertiveness.

There were a total of 56 subjects sampled for this study, constituting 28 marriages, all investigated for marital adjustment. All of the subjects were volunteers and were obtained through the Women's Center at Utah State University. The subjects were placed in one of two treatment conditions depending upon the condition for which they volunteered. The wives only treatment condition …

The Relationship Of Family Religious Ritual In The Home And The Marital Adjustment Of Young Couples, Adlin Lamar Huish Ii

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The practice of family religious ritual in the home and its effect on family life has not been very well understood because of the small amount of research completed. In order to help increase the understanding of this concept, this study investigated the practice of family religious ritual in the home and measured the effect of family religious ritual on a couple's marital life by testing four hypotheses: 1) The indices of family religious ritual are positively correlated with marital adjustment. 2) Overall family religious ritual is positively correlated with marital adjustment. 3) Husband-wife family religious ritual is positively correlated …