The Family Journal

The purpose of this article is to educate Marriage and Family Therapists about the history of the profession and to call attention to the troubling history of eugenics as it pertains to current ethical practice. The eugenics movement sought to increase the marriage and reproduction of healthy, white people, while implementing a system of institutionalization and sterilization to deter the reproduction of people of color, people with disabilities, and anyone determined to be “undesirable” by eugenicists. The helping professions, including Marriage and Family Therapy arose during the years when this took place, and contributed to the implementation of eugenics in a variety of ways. Founders of the field of Marriage and Family Therapy, including eugenicist Paul Popenoe, also known as the father of marriage counseling, played a key role in linking eugenics ideals and practices with Marriage and Family Therapy. While other professions, and indeed other organizations of all types, have worked to understand their participation in the promotion of eugenics ideals, and have issued apologies along with commitments to function ethically in the future, Marriage and Family Therapy has yet to do so. This article is a call to reckon with our history, to understand it, to educate and to practice ethically in the future.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based family intervention that has demonstrated efficacy in reducing rates of re-offense and engagement with the justice system among diverse samples, including Hispanic youth and families. Past research (i.e., Flicker et al., 2008) found that Hispanic therapists matched with Hispanic clients in FFT experienced more positive outcomes than their White counterparts. We conducted a qualitative analysis of session notes completed by three Hispanic FFT therapists treating 33 Hispanic families (99 sessions) with positive outcomes. Grounded theory analysis elicited nine codes related to therapist behaviors. Implications regarding administration of FFT with Hispanic families are discussed.

Transnational motherhood continues to grow among Filipina mothers. It resulted in economic prosperity and quality of life of Filipino families but caused family pressures within the sphere of motherhood. This qualitative study is grounded through the philosophical lens of phenomenology aimed to explore the lived experiences of transnational mothers. It seeks to understand their life history, present experiences that redefined their motherhood, and reflections of the future. The lived experiences of transnational mothers began with the experience of the personal and structural dimensions of poverty in the past. Their decision to embark on labor migration was primarily instrumental to alleviate their life condition. However, mothering from a distance has ensued emotional, social, and psychological strains. To cope with the situation, they observed four central coping ways: the role of faith and prayer; the repression of emotional strains through work and friends; focus and positive thinking; and the rationalization of distance by way of regular virtual communication and remittances. The hopes of transnational mothers revealed their yearning for family reunification predicated on improving their family life through financial security, savings, and children's education. This intersection between motherhood and labor migration has therefore created new family forms, structures, roles, meaning, and expectations.

In this qualitative study the researchers interviewed 17 adult transnational Colombian adoptees in reunion with their Colombian first families. Through thematic analysis methodology three themes emerged: (1) first family influences, (2) navigating between families, and (3) identity reclamation. Participants in the study described the impact reunion had on their perceptions of family and their identities. The Competencies for Working with Transracial Adoptees and the Transracial Adoption Kinship Network (TrAKN) served as a framework to discuss implications for adoptees and family counselors.

Immigration to the United States presents unique stressors for families including acculturation and social marginalization. Children of immigrants occupy a social location where their family's heritage intersects with the culture in which they are being raised. When families emigrate from non-European countries, the cultural dynamics may be more pronounced affecting the mental health and well-being of children even as they move into adulthood. This phenomenological study explored the experiences of wellness among adult children of non-European immigrants to the United States as they navigate these stressors. Individual interviews with ten participants revealed four themes: (a) spirituality as a guide, (b) collectivism, (c) holistic wellness practices, and (d) cultural and generational tensions. Implications include the value of incorporating spirituality into counseling and the importance of engaging adult clients of non-European immigrants in culturally responsive counseling through a holistic wellness lens.

To explore the relationships between complex trauma, family cohesion, family environment, resiliency, and depression, the authors employed hierarchical multiple regression and mediation analysis were employed with a sample of 485 young adults. The sample consisted of three groups of participants based on the amount of trauma experienced, those who reported 1–3 trauma experiences, those who reported 3 or more trauma experiences, and those who did not report trauma. Analyses indicated that despite complex trauma experiences, families were still able to cultivate strong family environment and family cohesion, which enhanced resilience in individuals and in turn reduced depression symptoms. Future research, as well as important implications for family counseling with the aim of enhancing family resilience and decreasing depression symptoms, especially as a trauma response, are discussed.

To date, no empirical studies have examined the experiences of parents of adult children disclosing previous childhood sexual abuse (CSA), an often-overlooked population potentially in need of support and clinical care. To explore the experiences of parents of adult-disclosing CSA survivors, we conducted semi-structured interviews with four parents of two adult sons who disclosed a history of having been previously sexually abused in childhood by a common perpetrator. Using a narrative analysis approach, the qualitative data revealed several important themes elucidating parents’ experiences of the disclosures and related emotional and cognitive effects. Findings from this study suggest that parents of adult-disclosing CSA survivors may experience significant psychological impacts, including symptoms of secondary traumatization, and point to the potential need for supportive care for other members of the family system.

The current study examined the association between both partners’ perceptions of the other partner's use of influence tactics during conflicts (harsh vs. soft) and both partners’ relationship satisfaction. Using a dyadic approach, the mediating role of support transactions (i.e., given and received support) was also examined. One-hundred and thirteen couples filled out questionnaires regarding partners’ use of influence tactics, received and given support, and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated one partner effect; namely, women's received support was found to be a mediator between women's perception of their partners’ use of harsh tactics and both partners’ satisfaction. There was only one actor mediation effect of given support and that was observed among women alone; namely, given support mediated the association between harsh tactics and women's relationship satisfaction. Gender and support transaction may play an important role in explaining the link between harsh tactics and relationship satisfaction.

Introduction: Childhood abuse has been linked to greater attachment insecurity in adulthood which has implications for adult romantic relationships. Abuse and attachment may particularly influence attributions of their partner's behavior. The current study examine adult attachment anxiety and avoidance as mediators linking childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse to attributions in adults currently in a romantic relationship. Method: A sample of 191 adults were recruited (mean age = 29.16, 71% White) and completed an online survey. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the indirect effects linking childhood abuse to attributions using bias corrected bootstrapping. Results: Findings from bootstrapped structural equation modeling indicated that attachment anxiety, but not avoidance, linked child emotional and physical abuse to attributions. Sexual abuse was directly, positively associated with attributions, independent of attachment and physical and emotional abuse. Conclusions: Clinicians may want to target anxious attachment in reducing negative attributions with a focus on how distal experiences of childhood emotional abuse may be impacting attachment security. Emotion focused couple therapy is a recommended intervention.

Two correlational survey studies were conducted among adult samples (Ns  =  205; 697) to test the effects on general life satisfaction of attachment to three close others: mother, father, and romantic partner. Results showed that attachment to mother and father also matter in adulthood, in that they are associated with adult life satisfaction. Secure attachments to mother and father were positively associated with life satisfaction, and anxious and avoidant attachments to mother and father were negatively associated with life satisfaction. Moreover, attachment to the romantic partner was also related to life satisfaction, so that secure attachment was positively related to life satisfaction, and anxious and avoidant attachments were negatively related to the outcome variable. Importantly, attachment to mother and father were still significant predictors of life satisfaction when effects of attachment to the current romantic partner were controlled for. The effects of parental attachments on life satisfaction were not mediated by attachment to the romantic partner. Theoretical and applied implications of the findings are discussed.

This study aims to describe children's mental health conditions in the time of COVID-19 and its associations with the risk factor (media exposure) and the protective factor (family resilience) during COVID-19. The study took place from February 13th to February 29th, 2020, at the peak of the outbreak all across China. In total 441 children (M  =  11.83 years old, SD  =  0.79) from Jiangxi province, China, filled out online surveys. The results showed that children's rates of depression were relatively high and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates were low. Based on the results of multiple linear regression analyses, family resilience was negatively associated with children's mental health issues including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and poor sleep quality counting the effects of children's age, gender, and media exposure. Children's media exposure to COVID-related news reports did not significantly contribute to the total variance of children's mental health symptoms. The findings guide the development of prevention and interventions to mobilize families’ strengths and resilience for reducing children's maladjustment during the occurrence of pandemics.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented global morbidity and mortality which altered people's daily lives, as well as created multiple societal challenges. One significant problem posed by this unique stressor is maintaining healthy intimate relationships, which are linked to mental and physical health. The literature has shown that the pandemic has exacerbated issues for couples such as financial difficulties, a lack of privacy, medical issues, and family and professional concerns. The pandemic has also forced all healthcare systems, hospitals, and clinics to quickly incorporate telehealth services. The number of requests for mental health consultations has risen to the point where demand exceeds supply. This paper provides an overview of ways couples can stay emotionally connected during this time as well as provide future directions for therapists to help couples develop or improve adaptive relationship mechanisms.

The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have required program planners to re-evaluate the provision of relationship education (RE). The current mixed-methods study focuses on the Healthy Relationships [State] initiative's transition from in-person to virtual online RE programing, measuring program impact and comparing the outcomes between the two delivery methods for individuals participating in Couple LINKS, a curriculum designed for adults in committed relationships. Comparisons between delivery methods revealed that in-person participants showed greater gains than virtual participants on key program measures; however, the outcomes were positive for all. Qualitative responses of virtual participants revealed what they liked most and liked least about the virtual format, citing their appreciation for the curriculum, the opportunity to develop new skills, facilitator quality, online accessibility, and couple time. Schedule conflicts and uneven course pacing, reference materials, technology, and sharing personal information were listed as things participants liked least about the virtual program. Implications for the future delivery of RE programs are discussed.

Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, many parents have struggled to maintain work-life balance. This investigation examines contributors to and protective factors from parental stress during the pandemic. As expected, perceived stress increased with burnout and decreased with parental inhibitory control, mindfulness in parenting, and perceived competence. Interestingly, it showed no association with child age nor the number of children in the home. Similarly, it investigated parental well-being as a function of childcare during COVID. Parents who did not feel that their childcare needs were being met were more stressed, experienced more work and personal burnout, and felt less mindful and competent in their parenting than did parents whose childcare needs were met. The results underscore the importance of providing supports to parents as they emerge from the pandemic, and demonstrate the need to proactively support families should similar crises arise in the future.

Although parental burnout has been acknowledged as a unique psychological condition that can have serious consequences to families, most research so far has been conducted with mothers. The present study investigated how the descriptions of parenting-related demands and resources differ between burned-out and non-burned-out fathers. Furthermore, we examined what kinds of support or services fathers need to increase their wellbeing as parents. The participants were 10 fathers with the highest level of parental burnout symptoms, and 14 fathers with the lowest level of parental burnout symptom, out of 158 fathers who answered the questionnaire. The qualitative open-ended answers were analyzed using hierarchical thematic analysis and the accounts of the burned-out and non-burned-out fathers were compared. Furthermore, quantitative answers regarding parenting-related stress-factors were compared between the two groups. The results showed that burned-out fathers experienced more parenting-related demands than the non-burned-out fathers and reported needing financial, practical, and social support. Compared to non-burned-out fathers, the burned-out fathers reported more often being dissatisfied with the society, having difficulties integrating work and family life, and being strained by everyday life with children. The reported resources were similar with both burned-out and non-burned-out fathers and consisted mainly of happiness regarding their children. The results can be used in generating services and support for fathers to increase their wellbeing as parents.

Academic outcomes have long been one of the important issues of childhood research, which has a strong influence on the overall development of children. The present study aimed to explore the relationship between parental burnout and academic outcomes and the mediating role of parental behavioral control, and mindful parenting. The participants included 786 Vietnamese primary school students (M_age = 9,980, SD = 0.889) and their parents. Parents completed questionnaires about demographic information, parental burnout, behavioral control, and mindful parenting. The student's academic grades are reported by the school office where the student is enrolled. The results support three main findings: (a) parental burnout has a direct influence on student's academic outcomes, (b) the mediating role of parental behavioral control was significant, and (c) the mediating role of mindful parenting was also significant. Practical implications of these findings highlight how parent's mental health status and parenting practices influence academic outcomes.

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are often hospitalized and have long stays, as they need surgeries and operations. The perioperative period can be perplexing for the people involved. This study investigates parents’ perceptions of CP and expectations of operation and surgery outcomes in Greece and in Italy during this crucial perioperative period. A total of 120 married parents participated in the study: 60 mothers and 60 fathers who had a biological child with CP. All children had operable CP and were under continuous medical/surgical treatment. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Parents expressed diverse perceptions of CP whilst they had almost the same perceptions of it in both countries. They mainly represented CP as a medical problem affecting the whole family, including the child. Parent's expectations on orthopaedic surgeries concerned improving the child's quality of life, the level of its functional impairment and the rehabilitation of its movement and gait. There were no statistically significant differences as regards country of origin and parents’ gender on perceptions of CP and expectations of operation and surgery outcomes. This study suggests that parents outline a variety of perceptions of the condition of CP and of expectations concerning operation and surgery outcomes.

Prevalence rates of infertility show that one in every six couples worldwide have experienced fertility problems; however, there is still a relatively high chance of spontaneous conception for couples with unexplained infertility. Nevertheless, most existing research has focused on the infertility experience leading up to potential parenthood, rather than the actual parenting experience itself. Hence, this paper presents an in-depth exploration of the lived experiences and personal meaning of becoming parents of individuals affected by unexplained infertility. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and transcripts were subjected to Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four themes emerged: perception of fragility of life, father's embodied emotional connection with child, becoming a parent—identity shift, and imprint of infertility on relationships with a partner. The findings emphasize clinicians’ and researchers’ awareness of the need to process couple's grief and highlight the importance of addressing romantic relationship issues, experienced during the infertility period to facilitate couples transitioning to parenthood.

With the rise in prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children, additional resources for mental health professionals to support the caregivers and families are necessary. The present study examined the psychometric properties of a brief, systems-oriented, strength-based assessment, the Family Relationship Hope Scale (FRHS), with parents and caregivers of children with ASD (n = 196). The FRHS is a four item, self-administered survey that examines the hopefulness a person has towards their family's ability to overcome life's challenges together. We conducted both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to assess factor structure of the assessment. Results supported the FRHS as a single factor structure with good model fit and internal consistency. The use of the FRHS could be beneficial for clinicians who work with families to focus on their areas of strength (e.g., hope) rather than deficits (e.g., stress, depression).

A large proportion of children in the foster care system experience placement instability, which works against the three national goals for children in the child welfare system: permanency, safety, and well-being. Placement instability has been linked with increased child externalizing behaviors and increased parenting stress. Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is one intervention which combats issues associated with placement instability. We outline the needs of children and families in the foster care system, the benefits of relationship-focused play therapy interventions, and provide rationale for the use of CPRT among child welfare agencies.

The present study investigated the association between family caregiving-related losses, diminished social support, and depression in 533 adult family caregivers living in the United States. Results suggested that 62.66% (n = 334) of participants were considered at risk for depression. Results from structural equation modeling (SEM) approaches revealed that caregiving-related losses were a strong predictor of depression, explaining 47% of a total variance. A lack of social support was also a predictor of depression in this sample, increasing total variance accounted for to 51%. We discuss clinical implications, including strategies for coping with caregiving-related losses and their correlates.