Relational Ethics, Depressive Symptoms, and Relationship Satisfaction in Couples in Therapy

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction as problems related to relational ethics in one's family of origin and current partner relationships in a sample of 68 other-sex couples seeking therapy at a large university clinic. We used the Actor Partner Interdependence Model to analyze dyadic data collected prior to beginning therapy. Specifically, we found significant actor effects between relational ethics in one's family of origin and depressive symptoms, as well as between depressive symptoms and low relationship satisfaction for both male and female partners. We also found significant partner effects for relational ethics in current partner relationship, depressive symptoms, and low relationship satisfaction. Clinical application of contextual therapy theory is discussed.

A Contextual Therapy Framework for MFT Educators: Facilitating Trustworthy Asymmetrical Training Relationships

“…Transactions involve observable patterns of relational behavior, such as feedback loops (Borszormenyi‐Nagy, Grunebaum, & Ulrich, ). Relational ethics , the dimension that guides contextual therapy (Krasner & Joyce, ) and differentiates it from other approaches (Gangamma, Bartle‐Haring, Holowacz, Hartwell, & Glebova, ; Goldenthal, ), is concerned with relational balance, fairness, accountability, and trustworthiness (Boszormenyi‐Nagy & Krasner, ; Boszormenyi‐Nagy & Ulrich, ; Goldenthal, ; Hargrave & Pfitzer, ). Finally, the ontic dimension conceptualizes the self as being dependent on relationships for both independent definition and survival (Ducommun‐Nagy, ).…”

“…Contextual therapy offers healing possibilities for families and other communities (Hargrave & Pfitzer, ), and recent contextual therapy research focuses on couples (see Gangamma et al., ) and parent‐adult child relationships (see Schmidt, Green, & Prouty, ). Although many therapists appreciate contextual therapy's theoretical premises (Goldenthal, ; Wilburn‐McCoy, ), it never achieved mainstream appeal (Wilburn‐McCoy, ) and is in danger of extinction in family therapy training (Hargrave & Pfitzer, ).…”

A Contextual Perspective on Associations Between Reported Parental Infidelity and Relational Ethics of the Adult Children

“…Despite the rich literature exploring the dynamics of infidelity in couples, there has been little research conducted to assess the implications of parental infidelity on relational processes of their adult children (Parker & Campbell, ; Schmidt, Green, & Prouty, ; Weiser & Weigel, ). While systemic therapists readily recognize the importance of considering the impact of family of origin (FOO) experiences on later relational functioning, there are only a few empirical studies that focus on assessing relational ethics (Boszormenyi‐Nagy & Krasner, ; Gangamma, Bartle‐Haring, Holowacz, Hartwell, & Glebova, ; Schmidt, Green, & Prouty, ) in romantic partner relationships.…”

“…Relational ethics are the cornerstone concept in Nagy's intergenerational contextual theory, and its core element is trust and justice (Ducommun-Nagy, 2002;Hargrave, Jennings, & Anderson, 1991). Relational ethics are the fourth dimension of contextual theory, and it is based on the belief that in all relationships there is a multilateral balance of entitlement and indebtedness (Gangamma et al, 2015). Another concept of relational ethics is destructive entitlement, and this develops due to an unbalanced ledger of what is given and taken in a relationship (Ducommun-Nagy, 2002).…”

“…Some emerging research suggests that romantic partners' perceptions of fairness is related to health and relational well-being, relationship satisfaction and depression (Gangamma et al, 2015;Grames, Miller, Robinson, Higgins, & Hinton, 2008). These studies imply an association between imbalances of horizontal (partner) RE and relationship satisfaction for both partners.…”