Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Parental And Relational Aggression, David A. Nelson, Craig H. Hart

Faculty Publications

Where do children get their basic tendencies to act aggressively? One possibility is that it varies by the type of parenting received, particularly for young children, who tend to spend more time with their parents than do older children and adolescents. This chapter considers the expanse of research focusing on parenting as it corresponds with relationally aggressive tendencies in children, adolescents, or emerging adults (including similar constructs labeled as indirect or social aggression). Relational aggression subsumes indirect, covert, hostile behaviors where target children are not directly confronted (e.g., gossiping, talking behind one's back; see Chapter 2). It can also be …

Toward Understanding Posttraumatic Stress And Depression Among Trauma-Affected Widows In Sri Lanka, Jessica E. Lambert, Alyssa Banford Witting, Spencer James, Lakmal Ponnamperuma, Thulitha Wickrama

Faculty Publications

Objective: In this study, we applied conservation of resources theory (Hobfoll, 1989) to explain high rates of depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among war- and disaster-affected Tamil widows in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka. We hypothesized exposure to potentially traumatic events and severity of current contextual problems would influence PTSS and depressive symptoms directly and indirectly through loss of psychological (view of self), environmental (sense of community), and energy (physical health) resources. Method: Trained research assistants interviewed a convenience sample (N = 381) of women, using established measures of the constructs of interest. Data were analyzed using …

Can Stress Build Relationships? Predictors Of Increased Marital Commitment Resulting From The 2007–2009 Recession, Jeffrey P. Dew, Ashley Lebaron, David Allsop

Faculty Publications

Although some studies have examined factors that can help married couples maintain their relationship quality during financial stress, few have examined factors that might actually help marriages flourish during financial stress. This study examined participants’ reports of their commitment increasing because of the 2007–2009 Recession using dyadic data from a national sample of married couples. We found that religious marital sanctification, relationship maintenance behaviors, and social and financial support from family and friends were all related to both wives’ and husbands’ reports that their commitment had increased during the Recession. Wives who faced employment- or housing-related problems reported increased commitment. …

Using Difference Scores To Inform Therapy Practice: Differences In Perceptions Of Attachment Behaviors Between Partners In A Clinical Sample, Joshua R. Novak, Jonathan G. Sandberg, Dean M. Busby

Faculty Publications

Using clinically relevant research methodology, this study focuses on differences (cross‐partner difference scores) in perceptions of attachment behaviors (emotional accessibility, responsiveness, and engagement) between partners in couples therapy. In general, findings suggest that higher levels of self‐enhancement attachment behaviors (participant perceives self as demonstrating more attachment behaviors than the partner's ratings of the participant) are associated with lower relationship satisfaction and greater relationship instability. The association between attachment behavior difference scores and measures of relationship health is mediated through partner perceived positive communication. These results suggest that differences in perceptions between partners’ level of attachment behaviors are an important clinical …

Families And Workplaces, E. Jeffrey Hill, Erin K. Holmes

Faculty Publications

In order to survive and thrive, every family must both provide for and nurture its members. This is true regardless of the particular structure, size, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or cultural background of the family. Physical needs of families are most frequently met through paid labor in workplaces. Nurturing needs of individuals are most commonly met by family members in the home. Learning how to simultaneously provide for and nurture one's family in harmony is of interest to everyone but very difficult to achieve. It is not wonder that research on the interface between families and workplaces has exploded …

Navigating The Teen Years: The Adolescent Brain And Christ’S Atonement, Mark H. Butler, Genevieve L. Smith

Faculty Publications

Like other spiritually sincere youth, Caleb struggles with pornography use. At first, he was repulsed by it, but he found himself drawn back to it. The arousal was preoccupying and pleasurable. Pornography use became a habit. He still wanted to go on a mission, marry in the temple, be a worthy father. Repeatedly, he resolved to stop using pornography. He felt anger and shame every time he fell short. Caleb became discouraged and felt like he could never change. He felt that he didn’t deserve God’s or anyone else’s love and forgiveness because of all his broken promises.

Violent Video Games, Externalizing Behavior, And Prosocial Behavior: A Five-Year Longitudinal Study During Adolescence, Sarah M. Coyne, Wayne A. Warburton, Lee W. Essig, Laura A. Stockdale

Faculty Publications

Decades of research on the effects of media violence have examined associations between viewing aggressive material in the media and aggression and prosocial behavior. However, the existing longitudinal studies have tended to exclusively examine aggression and prosocial behavior as outcomes, with a limited range of potential mediators. The current study examines associations between playing violent video games and externalizing and prosocial behavior over a 5-year period across adolescence. Additionally, the study examines potential mediators of these associations, including empathic concern, benevolence, and self-regulation. Participants included 488 adolescents (MAge of child at Wave 1 􏰀13.83, SD 􏰀 0.98) and their parents, …

Joint Religiosity And Married Couples’ Sexual Satisfaction, Jeffrey P. Dew, Jeremy E. Uecker, Brian J. Willoughby

Faculty Publications

Although many studies have examined the association between religion and sexuality, the majority of these studies have focused on non marital sex. Unfortunately, despite the fact that a satisfying sexual relationship plays a critical role in married couples' relationship quality and stability, the associations between religiosity and marital sexual satisfaction are not well understood. Thus, to examine the association between religiosity and couples' reports of married sexual satisfaction, the authors of this study used dyadic data from a nationally representative sample of married couples (N = 1,368) between the ages of 18 and 45. They used both joint and …

Cohabitation Transitions Among Low-Income Parents: A Qualitative Investigation Of Economic And Relational Motivations, Tyler B. Jamison Phd

Faculty Publications

At the intersection of the cohabitation and residential mobility literatures is an opportunity to better understand the factors that shape cohabitation choices for low-income couples. By investigating push and pull factors associated with cohabitation, this study aimed to identify linkages between cohabitation transitions and the broader socioeconomic context within which they occur. Collecting data from both members of low-income couples and carefully tracking all residential and cohabitation transitions made it possible to identify a wide range of push and pull factors that motivate couples to move. The findings suggest that cohabitation transitions were often motivated by economic necessity. Romantic partnerships, …

Teaching Children About Money: Prospective Parenting Ideas From Undergraduate Students, Ashley B. Lebaron, Christina M. Rosa-Holyoak, L. Ashley Bryce, E. Jeffrey Hill, Loren D. Marks

Faculty Publications

Many Millennials (aged 18-30 in 2016) are struggling with financial capability and independence. As efforts unfold to address this issue by improving financial education, Millennials themselves can offer helpful family-centered ideas for children 's financial learning. As part of the Whats and Hows of Family Financial $ocialization project, this qualitative study explored the ideas of 126 undergraduate students enrolled in family finance classes at three institutions from three regions of the United States about how and what they intend to teach their future children about finances. Thematic content analysis and coding of interviews revealed four core themes: (a) "Communicating Family …

Money Over Marriage: Marriage Importance As A Mediator Between Materialism And Marital Satisfaction, Ashley B. Lebaron, Heather H. Kelley, Jason S. Carroll

Faculty Publications

While the negative relationship between materialism and marital satisfaction is well documented, mediators that possibly explain this association have not been widely explored. Based on the Incompatibility of Materialism and Children Model and Marital Paradigms Theory, this article explores the perception of marriage importance as a potential mediator between materialism and marital satisfaction. Using a sample of 1310 married individuals, we found evidence of partial mediation in that materialism was negatively associated with perception of marriage importance, and this association partially explained why being materialistic was associated with lower marital satisfaction. Thus, as counselors, therapists, and financial planners work with …

A Longitudinal Growth Mixture Model Of Child Disclosure To Parents Across Adolescence, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Daye Son, Larry J. Nelson

Faculty Publications

The present study used in a person-centered approach to examine heterogeneity in children's patterns of routine disclosure (i.e., sharing information regarding their whereabouts and activities to parents) across adolescence and explored predictors and outcomes of different trajectories. Participants included 500 adolescents (51% female, 67% White, 33% single-parent families) who completed questionnaires every year from age 12 to age 18. Growth mixture modeling suggested that the majority of adolescents (82%) reported low and stable disclosure, and a third party (5%) a steep decrease and leveling out over time. Group membership varied as a function of predictors at age 12 (delinquency, prosocial …

Relational Struggles And Experiential Immediacy In Religious American Families, David C. Dollahite, Loren D. Marks, Kaity Pearl Young

Faculty Publications

Qualitative family scholar Kerry Daly has called for more theory addressing understudied dimensions including religion, everyday experiences, and time. Herein we address all three of these dimensions as we empirically examine and theorize Ono relational struggles among religious families. We also explore what we term experiential immediacy–defined as the personal and temporal proximity to participant-reported lived experience. Based on qualitative analyses of in-depth interviews with 198 highly religious families (N = 476 individuals), we identified four types of relational struggles created by religious involvement: burdens, disunities, abuses, and offenses. We also offer a conceptual framework of experiential immediacy grounded …

I Wish: Multigenerational Regrets And Reflections On Teaching Children About Money, Ashley B. Lebaron, E. Jeffrey Hill, Christina M. Rosa, Travis J. Spencer, Loren D. Marks, Joshua T. Powell

Faculty Publications

Millennials are struggling to meet current financial challenges. As we strive to improve financial capability in future generations, it is important that we look to the primary source of financial education: parents. This qualitative, multigenerational study explored what Millennials and their parents and grandparents (N = 153) wish they had been taught about finances by their parents, as well as what parents and grandparents wish they had taught their children. Thematic content coding of the interviews revealed three core “I Wish” themes: “Practical Knowledge,” “Financial Stewardship,” and “Open Communication.” These findings can assist researchers, family life educators, financial educators, …

Transcendence Matters: Do The Ways Family Members Experience God Meaningfully Relate To Family Life?, Hilary Dalton, David C. Dollahite, Loren D. Marks

Faculty Publications

As more Americans continue to move away from an institutional approach to religion and spirituality to a more personal approach, it is important to explore the ways that personal perspectives about God influence various aspects of life including family life. This study explored how participants viewed and experienced God as an authority figure (Directive Transcendence), as a close confidant (Intimate Transcendence), or as both (Authoritative Transcendence). In-depth interviews with 198 religious families from across America were analyzed using a team-based qualitative approach. These analyses revealed that participants experienced God as both an authority figure and as a close confidant. Both …

A Meta-Analysis Of Prosocial Media On Prosocial Behavior, Aggression, And Empathic Concern: A Multidimensional Approach, Sarah M. Coyne, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Hailey G. Holmgren, Emilie J. Davis, Kevin M. Collier, Madison K. Memmott-Elison, Alan J. Hawkins

Faculty Publications

Studies examining the effects of exposure to prosocial media on positive outcomes are increasing in number and strength. However, existing meta-analyses use a broad definition of prosocial media that does not recognize the multidimensionality of prosocial behavior. The aim of the current study is to conduct a meta-analysis on the effects of exposure to prosocial media on prosocial behavior, aggression, and empathic concern while examining multiple moderators that the prosocial behavior literature suggests are important to our understanding of why individuals voluntarily help others (e.g., target, type, coast). Results from 72 studies involving 243 effect sizes revealed that exposure to …

Commitment And Relationship Maintenance Behaviors As Marital Protective Factors During Economic Pressure, Jeffrey P. Dew, Mark Jackson

Faculty Publications

Using a contemporary national sample of married couples (N = 1368 couples) and a dyadic path analysis, the authors examined whether commitment and relationship maintenance behaviors facilitate marital quality resilience for wives and husbands reporting recession-related financial stressors and economic pressure. Relationship maintenance behaviors moderated the association between economic pressure and marital quality for wives. Wives reported higher levels of marital satisfaction and lower levels of divorce proneness during economic pressure when husbands reported higher levels of relationship maintenance behaviors. Unexpectedly, wives reported higher levels of divorce proneness during economic pressure when husbands reported higher levels of marital commitment.

Bidirectional Relations Between Parenting And Prosocial Behavior For Asian And European-American Emerging Adults, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Larry J. Nelson, Xinyuan Fu, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry

Faculty Publications

The current study examined bidirectional relations between parenting and prosocial behavior for both European- and Asian-American emerging adults. Participants included 297 undergraduate students (M age  = 19.61 at Time 1, 59% European-American) who reported on prosocial behavior toward family members, positive parenting, and negative/controlling parenting at two time points, 1 year apart. Cross-lagged models supported bidirectional relations between parenting and prosocial behavior with particular emphasis on the role of the emerging adults’ prosocial behavior on subsequent parenting. Also, the bidirectional relations between parenting and emerging adults’ prosocial behavior were different for mothers and fathers. Results varied slightly as a …

Perceived Conflict Styles Of Adult Children And Their Parents: What Is The Connection?, Dean M. Busby, Lena Hsin-Yao Chiu

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential genesis of conflict styles for couples by evaluating the association between parents’ conflict styles and those of their adult children and their adult children’s partners. Using Social Learning Theory as a theoretical foundation, the four conflict typologies from Gottman’s work (avoidant, validating, volatile, and hostile) were applied to study the participants’ conflict styles. Multinomial logistic regression was then conducted on a sample of 25,511 participants, testing the relationships between the conflict styles of parents, their adult children’s conflict styles, and their adult children’s partners’ conflict styles. All of the perceived …

Subjective Reactions To International Research Participation: An Illustration Of Ethical Considerations With Women Heading Households In Sri Lanka, Jessica E. Lambert, Alyssa Banford Witting, Lakmal Ponnamperuma, Thulitha Wickrama

Faculty Publications

There are unique ethical considerations in conducting international research with war and disaster-affected populations that are important for ensuring adequate protection of participants. Of particular importance is the distress that participants may experience as a result of being asked about traumatic stressors, psychological symptoms, and life problems. In this study, trauma-affected Tamil women in Eastern Sri Lanka were asked to report on their research-participation experience after taking part in a larger study on risk and resiliency. Results indicated that most participants experienced emotional upset as a result of taking part in the study. However, the degree of distress was generally …

"I Think, Therefore I Do": Cognitions Related To Flourishing In Emerging Adulthood, Larry J. Nelson, Nathan A. Jorgensen, Adam A. Rogers

Faculty Publications

The focus of this volume is to bring greater attention to the ways in which many young people flourish during the third decade of life. In doing so, the majority of the chapters have focused on the things that emerging adults do that reflect positive development (e.g., volunteerism, service, political activism, education, preparation for careers). It may be, however, that the very way in which young cognitively approach the third decade might influence whether they flourish or flounder. Also, it may be that how they view adulthood (i.e., the fourth decade of life and beyond) might have bearing on what …

Positive Relationships As An Indicator Of Flourishing During Emerging Adulthood, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Madison K. Memmott-Elison, Larry J. Nelson

Faculty Publications

In any discussion about flourishing in emerging adulthood, it would be easy to simply think about the positive things that young people do (e.g., pursue education, volunteer, serve, engage in political activism). However, few emerging adults walk the path toward adulthood alone. They embark on and make their way through the third decade of life within a myriad of complex relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. However, the changing nature of these relationships is arguably more complex than at any other point in their lives to date. Graduation (for most) from high school brings the dissolution of many peer …

Flourishing In Emerging Adulthood: An Understudied Approach To The Third Decade Of Life, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Larry J. Nelson

Faculty Publications

There is a growing body of literature that suggests that the third decade of life is anything but a time to foster positive development. Indeed, emerging adulthood has been referred to as a time of arrested development during which young people avoid responsibilities that are thought to be typical of adulthood (Cote, 2000), and instead engage in behaviors they feel they will not be able to enjoy once they become adults (e.g., travel, exploration of substance use and sexual experience, living a carefree life-style; Ravert, 2009). Emerging adults have been referred to as "Generation Me" and are increasingly typified as …

Beyond The Bucket List: Identity-Centered Religious Calling, Being, And Action Among Parents, David C. Dollahite, Loren D. Marks, Taleah M. Kear, Brittany M. Lewis, Megan L. Stokes

Faculty Publications

From a positive family psychology perspective, this study explores identity-centered religious calling, being, and action among parents of youth, that is, what religious parents believe they are called to be and to do in relation to their adolescent children. Twenty-nine Christian, Jewish, and Muslim families of youth (N = 58) were asked what they considered most important for them "to be" and "to do" as parents of faith. Qualitative analyses were conducted to determine major themes of responses. Parents indicated they believed they were called to be (A1) an example, (A2) authentic, and (A3) consistent; called to provide their …

Evaluating The Dimensionality Of Pornography, Dean M. Busby, Hsin-Yao Chiu, Joseph A. Olsen, Brian J. Willoughby

Faculty Publications

Pornography may be a construct with a single trait or one with many traits. Research in the past was inconsistent in this regard with most researchers assuming that pornography was unidimensional (with one single trait of pornography). However, the considerable amounts of residual variation found in these studies beyond that explained by the single trait hints at what might be a multidimensional construct (with multiple traits such as sensitization and differentiation). Consequently, in this study, we intended to address the question of whether pornography consisted of a single trait or if it was multidimensional. Using MTurk, 2173 participants from the …

Four Year Effects Of Couple Relationship Education On Low And High Satisfaction Couples: A Randomized Clinical Trial, W. Kim Halford, Riyad H. Rahimullah, Keithia L. Wilson, Stefano Occhipinti, Dean M. Busby, Jeffrey Larson

Faculty Publications

Objective: Relationship education (RE) usually is conceived of as relationship enhancement for currently satisfied couples, with a goal of helping couples sustain satisfaction. However, RE also might be useful as a brief, indicated intervention for couples with low satisfaction. The current study evaluated the effect oof RE on couples with low and high relationship satisfaction. Method: The study was a randomized controlled trial in which 182 couples were randomly assigned to: a book reading control condition (control); RELATE online assessment with feedback and relationship goal setting (RELATE); or RELATE with CoupleCARE (RCC), a flexible delivery skill-based education program. Couples …

Latino Adolescent Substance Use: A Mediating Model Of Inter-Parental Conflict, Deviant Peer Associations, And Parenting, Sergio B. Pereyra, Roy A. Bean

Faculty Publications

Substance use among Latino adolescents continues to be a growing concern for researchers and clinicians. This paper reviews relevant literature regarding the impact of inter-parental conflict (IPC), deviant peer associations (DPA) and parenting behaviors, namely as parental support, psychological control, and parental monitoring knowledge on substance use among Latino adolescents. Although mediating models of IPC and similar parenting behaviors on adolescent externalizing behaviors have been represented in empirical studies, none have included the influence of peer associations or have analyzed these factors with substance use among Latino adolescents in the U.S. This study investigated direct relationships of IPC and DPA …

How Do Men And Women Help? Validation Of A Multidimensional Measure Of Prosocial Behavior, Matthew G. Nielson, Laura Padilla-Walker, Erin K. Holmes

Faculty Publications

The current study sought to address gender differences in prosocial behavior by creating and validating a multidimensional measure of prosocial behavior that more fully captures the ways that men help others. The new measure is directed toward family, friend, and strangers, and has five factors: defending, emotional support, inclusion, physical helping, and sharing. In Study 1, CFA analyses performed on a sample of 463 emerging adults online (mean age 23.42) revealed good model fit and divergent validity for each of the five factors. Study 2 replicated the analyses on a sample of 453 urban adolescents in the Northwest (mean age …

Relational Aggression And Marital Quality: A Five-Year Longitudinal Study, Sarah M. Coyne, David A. Nelson, Jason S. Carroll, Nathan J. Smith, Chongming Yang, Hailey G. Holmgren, Chad Johnson

Faculty Publications

Relational aggression occurs in many different contexts, including in romantic relationships. The current study examined associations between two subtypes of relational aggression (love withdrawal and social sabotage) and marital quality over a 5-year time period. Participants consisted of 311 married couples who completed a number of questionnaires on relational aggression and relationship quality once a year over a 5-year period. Results revealed that relational aggression was highly stable over time and that women used more relational aggression than men. Men’s use of social sabotage and love withdrawal were bidirectionally related to both partners’ perceptions of poor marital quality over time. …

Health-Related Quality Of Life In Older Coastal Residents After Multiple Disasters, Katie E. Cherry, Laura Sampson, Sandro Galea, Loren D. Marks, Kayla H. Boudoin, Pamela F. Nezat, Katie E. Stanko

Faculty Publications

Objective: Exposure to multiple disasters, both natural and technological, is associated with extreme stress and long-term consequences for older adults that are not well understood. In this article, we address age differences in health-related quality of life in older disaster survivors exposed to the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the role played by social engagement in influencing these differences.

Methods: Participants were noncoastal residents, current coastal residents, and current coastal fishers who were economically affected by the BP oil spill. Social engagement was estimated on the basis of disruptions in charitable …