ObjectiveTo investigate the relationships among dyadic coping, marital satisfaction, and parenting stress in the context of caring for a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).BackgroundExtant literature demonstrates the negative effects of parenting stress on individual and couple functioning for parents of children with ASD. Yet little is known about how these couples utilize their couple relationship as a resource for coping with this stress (i.e., dyadic coping) and its impact on both marital satisfaction and parenting stress.MethodData from a convenience sample of 69 married couples raising children with ASD were used to conduct analyses using the actor–partner interdependence model. Participants completed an online survey with measures of dyadic coping, marital satisfaction, and parenting stress. Path analysis models were used to test for the mediating effect of marital satisfaction on the relationship between dyadic coping and parenting stress.ResultsResults showed that dyadic coping was positively associated with marital satisfaction and negatively associated with parenting stress. Marital satisfaction was also negatively associated with parenting stress, and several associations between dyadic coping and parenting stress were mediated by marital satisfaction.ConclusionFindings suggest that dyadic coping holds important implications for the marital satisfaction and parenting stress of couples raising children with ASD.ImplicationsThose who work with parents of children with ASD should help couples develop relationship‐based coping strategies to reduce parenting stress.

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Traumatic experiences within and outside the family of origin in childhood may disrupt couple functioning later in life. Using a sample of 3,958 couples assessed through the Relationship Evaluation Questionnaire (RELATE), an actor-partner independence model was fit to test direct and indirect associations between negative impact from one's family of origin (accounting for physical violence and sexual abuse) and resources in couple relationships. Resources were defined using intervention principles derived from the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory. Actor and partner effects suggested negative family impact associates with relationship instability and is mediated through negative couple communication. Actor effects suggested negative family impact associates with less calmness in one's self and is also mediated through negative couple communication.

Social media has become a ubiquitous form of interacting and sharing information. However, comments on social media sites are often aggressive and contemptuous, especially when topics are controversial or politically charged. For example, discussion of intimate partner violence (IPV) tends to provoke strong reactions from outsiders, who make angry or blaming remarks about those involved. Although IPV is common, it has not been widely discussed in popular media until recent years when high-profile cases of abuse have come to light. In 2016, a celebrity accusation of domestic violence led to thousands of comments on social media, with outsiders weighing in about who was at fault and what should be done. This study involved a content analysis of 400 of these comments, with the intent of better understanding typical types of social media reactions to domestic violence accusations. Key themes included judgment and blame, with around 37% of commenters blaming the supposed victim in this case, while only 9% blamed the alleged perpetrator. The findings show how people comment about domestic violence and illustrate the contentious and often distorted nature of social media interactions. Implications for professionals and researchers are discussed.

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Researchers have uncovered connections between the experience of childhood traumas and later symptoms, both psychological and physiological. This article highlights, specifically for family counselors, the need for increased attention to physical expressions of childhood trauma in adulthood. This discussion enriches our systemic understanding of the way trauma alters both psychological and physiological processes. Preliminary analyses from a pilot study (N = 24) are presented from a small sample of individuals having an endocrine disorder whose symptoms correlated significantly with various childhood traumatic experiences. Our preliminary results highlight the importance of counselors having some basic knowledge of not only how trauma may influence cognitive and emotional processes but physical ones as well. Clinical practice implications are discussed.

here 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 not more than they anticipated, and most participants reported they would have participated had they known in advance how they would feel. Most participants perceived some benefit as a result of participating and agreed that items were personally relevant. Emotional distress from participation positively correlated with culturally specific symptoms of anxiety and depression. Contextual stressors and social support were not associated with participation-related distress. We discuss these findings as well as general issues that might arise in international research with trauma-affected populations. (PsycINFO Database Record