Maladaptive Attributions and Dyadic Behavior are Associated in Engaged Couples

Osterhout, Rebecca Ellen; Frame, Laura; Johnson, Matthew D.

doi:10.1521/jscp.2011.30.8.787

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…However, there has been relatively little research done that links the processes outlined in social learning theory with the contextual factors (e.g., on economic pressure, see Williamson et al, 2012; on social networks, see Jackson, Kennedy, Bradbury, & Karney, ) and personal vulnerability factors (e.g., childhood maltreatment; DiLillo et al, ) that may also influence relationship development and discord. Although there are examples of such work (e.g., Neff & Karney, ; Osterhout, Frame, & Johnson, ), they remain the exceptions.…”

Section: Toward Comprehensive Models Of Relationship Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contributions of Social Learning Theory to the Promotion of Healthy Relationships: Asset or Liability?

Johnson

Bradbury

2015

J of Family Theo & Revie

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Although social learning theory provides the conceptual basis for behavioral interventions designed to treat and prevent relationship distress, the results of large, recently published experiments cast doubt on the long-term viability of this approach. For example, couple therapies can produce lasting improvements in relationships, yet these improvements do not appear to be mediated by changes in communication in the manner suggested by social learning theory. Preventive interventions that teach couples communication skills produce inconsistent effects on communication and unexpectedly small effects on relationship outcomes. Because social learning theory may not provide the strongest foundation for relationship-sustaining interventions, new approaches are needed, especially those that articulate how diverse contexts and life circumstances constrain couples' opportunities for closeness and stability.Recent experimental tests of two leading interventions for couples provide us with an unprecedented opportunity to take stock of key

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Section: Toward Comprehensive Models Of Relationship Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contributions of Social Learning Theory to the Promotion of Healthy Relationships: Asset or Liability?

Johnson

Bradbury

2015

J of Family Theo & Revie

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“…A lack of positive social support in the beginning of a relationship has been shown to be related to negative communication patterns (Sullivan, Pasch, Johnson, & Bradbury, 2010). Negative attributions for partner behavior are also related to more negative and less positive behavior by the partner making negative attributions (Osterhout, Frame, & Johnson, 2011).…”

Section: Relationship Skills Needed For a Healthy Marriagementioning

confidence: 99%

Applying the Creating Lasting Family Connections Marriage Enhancement Program to Marriages Affected by Prison Reentry

et al. 2012

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Divorce proportions are currently high in the US and they are even higher among those who are incarcerated with substance abuse problems. Although much research has examined marital interventions, only two studies have examined marital interventions with prison populations. There is some empirical evidence that incarcerated couples benefit from traditional marital therapy (O'Farrell and Fals-Stewart, 1999, Addictions: A comprehensive guidebook, New York, Oxford University Press). An adaptation of the evidence-based Creating Lasting Family Connections program was implemented with 144 married couples, where one spouse was incarcerated, in a southern state with particularly high divorce and incarceration proportions. Results suggested that married men exposed to the program had larger improvements in some relationship skills relative to a convenience sample of men not so exposed. Both husbands and wives exposed to the program exhibited similar and significant increases in relationship skills. The results were comparable to a Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program adaptation for inmates. The implications of the findings for prevention practitioners are discussed.

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“…Previous research has documented links between negative marital attributions and relationship functioning, even when controlling for marital satisfaction (see Johnson, Karney, Rogge, & Bradbury, 2001). Higher levels of negative attributions about one’s spouse are significantly related to using more negative (e.g., hostility, criticism) and less positive (e.g., problem-solving) behaviors during conflict (Bradbury, Beach, Fincham, & Nelson, 1996; Bradbury & Fincham, 1992; Durtschi, Fincham, Cui, Lorenz, & Conger, 2011; Osterhout, Frame, & Johnson, 2011). Examining within-person relations, Sanford (2006) found that within-person variability in real-time marital attributions across marital interactions significantly predicted both husbands’ and wives’ positive and negative communication.…”

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confidence: 99%

Interplay between marital attributions and conflict behavior in predicting depressive symptoms.

Ellison¹,

Kouros²,

Papp³

et al. 2016

Journal of Family Psychology

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Marital attributions--i.e., causal inferences and explanations spouses make about their partners’ behavior--have been implicated as predictors of relationship functioning. Extending previous work, we examined marital attributions as a moderator of the link between marital conflict and depressive symptoms one year later. Participants were 284 couples who reported on marital attributions and depressive symptoms. Couples also engaged in a videotaped marital conflict interaction, which was later coded for specific conflict behaviors. The results showed that husbands’ and wives’ marital attributions about their partner moderated relations between marital conflict behavior and later depressive symptoms, controlling for global marital sentiments. For husbands, positive behavior and affect during marital conflict predicted a decrease in depressive symptoms, but only for husbands’ who made low levels of responsibility and causal attributions about their wives. Wives’ causal attributions about their partner also moderated relations between positive behavior and affect during marital conflict and husbands’ later depressive symptoms. Reflecting an unexpected finding, negative behavior and affect during marital conflict predicted increases in wives’ depressive symptoms, but only for wives who made low levels of responsibility attributions about their partner. The findings suggest that, for husbands, low levels of negative marital attributions for spouses may be protective, strengthening the positive effect of constructive conflict behaviors for their mental health, whereas for wives low levels of responsibility attributions about their spouse may be a risk factor, exacerbating the negative effect of negative marital conflict behaviors on their later depressive symptoms.

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Maladaptive Attributions and Dyadic Behavior are Associated in Engaged Couples

Cited by 8 publications

References 57 publications

Contributions of Social Learning Theory to the Promotion of Healthy Relationships: Asset or Liability?

Contributions of Social Learning Theory to the Promotion of Healthy Relationships: Asset or Liability?

Applying the Creating Lasting Family Connections Marriage Enhancement Program to Marriages Affected by Prison Reentry

Interplay between marital attributions and conflict behavior in predicting depressive symptoms.

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