One of the most serious psychosocial problems worldwide is substance abuse because of its repercussions not only on the physical and psychological health of the abuser but also on their relational functioning. Among the well-established therapeutic approaches for the treatment of substance abuse is family therapy, which, in addition to influencing personal variables, promotes changes in family dynamics. The main objective of this study is to review the scientific literature published from 2010 to the present on the efficacy and effectiveness shown by family-based treatment approaches for substance use problems both in adolescent and adult samples. In addition, the effect on secondary variables such as family functioning and behavioral problems is evaluated. The empirical evidence accumulated in the last decade and reviewed in the present study indicates that the incorporation of family members in the treatment of substance abuse produces benefits by diminishing consumption and improving family functioning. Limitations of this study and of the research reviewed are discussed and directions for future research are provided.
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Showing library results for: May 2023
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1 - 12 of 121 Effects of family therapy for substance abuse: A systematic review of recent research
Effects of family therapy for substance abuse: A systematic review of recent research
APA Citation:
Esteban, J., Suárez-Relinque, C., & Jiménez, T. I. (2023). Effects of family therapy for substance abuse: A systematic review of recent research. Family Process, 62(1), 49–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12841
Focus:
Mental health
Substance use
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Esteban, Jessica; Suárez-Relinque, Cristian; Jiménez, Teresa I.
2023
Stressful life events and risk of homelessness after active duty: An assessment of risk and resilience among servicemembers
APA Citation:
Montgomery, A. E., Koh, K. A., King, A. J., O’Brien, R., Sampson, N. A., Petriceks, A… Kessler, R. C. (2023). Stressful life events and risk of homelessness after active duty: An assessment of risk and resilience among servicemembers. Public Health Reports, 138(6), 963-970. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549221149092
Focus:
Mental health
Trauma
Veterans
Other
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Active Duty
Guard
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Montgomery, Ann Elizabeth; Koh, Katherine A.; King, Andrew J.; O’Brien, Robert; Sampson, Nancy A.; Petriceks, Aldis; Stein, Murray B.; Ursano, Robert J.; Kessler, Ronald C.
2023
Objectives:The transition from military to civilian life may present increased exposure to various stressful life events (SLEs) that can increase the risk of homelessness (eg, loss of employment, dissolution of romantic relationships). We assessed the extent to which exposure to SLEs occurring proximal to US Army soldier transitions out of active duty was associated with risk of homelessness.Methods:A total of 16 589 respondents who were no longer on active duty but participated while on active duty during 2011-2014 baseline surveys completed follow-up surveys during 2016-2018 and 2018-2019. The follow-up surveys assessed SLEs and homelessness occurring in the past 12 months. We used modified Poisson regression models to evaluate how much differential SLE exposure and effects explained the aggregate association of a risk index with homelessness among a sample of 6837 respondents, weighted to represent the full sample.Results:More than half (n = 3510, 52.8%) of respondents reported experiencing any SLEs in the past 12 months. Most (60.5%) of the difference in prevalence of homelessness among respondents defined as being at high risk of homelessness (vs lower risk) was explained by differential exposure to, and/or effects of, these SLEs. Personal betrayal by a loved one and economic problems played the largest roles in adjusted risk differences (0.045 and 0.074, respectively).Conclusions:Homelessness might be reduced by gearing interventions toward soldiers at high risk of homelessness who are transitioning out of active duty to reduce exposure to and effects of modifiable SLEs on experiencing homelessness.
3 Traumatic brain injury and relationship distress during military deployment and reunion
Traumatic brain injury and relationship distress during military deployment and reunion
APA Citation:
Knobloch, L. K., & Abendschein, B. (2024). Traumatic brain injury and relationship distress during military deployment and reunion. Family Relations, 73(1), 424-440. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12849
Focus:
Trauma
Deployment
Mental health
Couples
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Knobloch, Leanne K.; Abendschein, Bryan
2024
Objective This study seeks to advance the literature by disentangling the effects of deployment-acquired traumatic brain injury (TBI) from comorbid postconcussive symptoms and PTSD symptoms on relationship distress. Background Because TBI poses challenges to military marriages, understanding the predictors of relationship distress after TBI is important for helping service members cope with the effects of the injury. Method Survey data from the U.S. Army STARRS Pre–Post Deployment Study, collected from 2,585 married service members before and after a combat deployment to Afghanistan, evaluated predictors of relationship distress 9 months after homecoming. Results Deployment-acquired TBI corresponded with more relationship distress controlling for predeployment brain health, but its predictive power was eclipsed by concurrent postconcussive symptoms and concurrent PTSD symptoms. Concurrent PTSD symptoms accounted for twice as much variance in relationship distress than concurrent postconcussive symptoms. Conclusion Targeting and treating comorbid conditions may be essential for supporting military marriages after TBI. Implications: Military command, policymakers, and medical professionals may find value in broadening support services for TBI to include resources addressing postconcussive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, and relationship distress.
4 Risk and protective factors for work-family conflict among female military spouses
Risk and protective factors for work-family conflict among female military spouses
APA Citation:
Park, Y., Shea, M., Sullivan, K., Merrill, J. C., Clarke-Walper, K., & Riviere, L. A. (2023). Risk and protective factors for work-family conflict among female military spouses. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 32, 1078-1087. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02535-x
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Park, Yangjin; Shea, Molly; Sullivan, Kathrine; Merrill, Julie C.; Clarke-Walper, Kristina; Riviere, Lyndon A.
2023
Work-family conflict (WFC) is a chronic issue among military families. Compared to their civilian counterparts, military families experience additional work demands such as frequent training exercises and deployment, military-specific trauma, and injury in garrison, training or deployed settings. Guided by a risk and protective factors framework, this study examined the direct effects of cumulative military-specific work risks (i.e., number of combat deployments, mental health, injury during combat deployments) and cumulative family risks (i.e., children in the home, spouse adverse childhood experiences, spouse employment) on WFC and the potential buffering effect of social support among female military spouses. This study is a secondary data analysis (n = 334) using Land Combat Study 2 data collected by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) in 2012. After controlling for covariates (including soldier rank, ethnicity, and age), cumulative military-specific risk factors were positively associated with WFC while family risks were not. Social support was negatively associated with WFC but did not exhibit interaction effects with either group of risks. Findings suggest military spouses perceive WFC due to service members’ military-specific work factors, and social support was a promotive factor which may alleviate experiences of WFC. Military leadership and behavior health providers should consider strategies to alleviate work-specific risks and promote social support for military spouses to reduce WFC.
Couples’ dyadic coping in the context of child-related stressors: A systematic review across three decades
APA Citation:
Roth, M., Weitkamp, K., Landolt, S. A., & Bodenmann, G. (2022). Couples’ dyadic coping in the context of child-related stressors: A systematic review across three decades. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000237
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Children
Parents
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Roth, Michelle; Weitkamp, Katharina; Landolt, Selina A.; Bodenmann, Guy
2022
The relevance of dyadic coping (DC), a concept how couples cope with stressors together, has been established in different contexts (e.g., daily hassles, mental and physical health) and is related to different outcomes such as relationship satisfaction, relationship quality and stability, psychological well-being, and child behavior. The current systematic review aims at providing an integration of the field of research on couple’s DC with child-related stressors which are understood as demands that arise for couples due to becoming or being parents. DC and related search terms were used for the literature search in PsycINFO, Psyndex, and Medline. We included 55 publications (reporting empirical data on 6,779 couples in total) including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies published between 1990 and 2020. We applied a narrative synthesis approach organizing the results around six identified areas of child-related stressors: pregnancy and transition to parenthood, parenting, child mental health, child disability, child chronic physical illness, and child death. Overall, results show the importance of DC for both individual and relationship functioning in the context of child-related stress. Surprisingly, effects of parental DC on child outcomes remained understudied, although the existing studies yield promising results for child adjustment. In conclusion, adapting a “we”-perspective, mutual understanding and support is of importance not only to overcome the stressor but also to grow together as a couple. As DC plays a significant role for couples to cope in a resilient way when facing child-related stressors it should be more promoted in couple- and family counseling and therapy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
6 Sources of risk and resilience among adolescents from military families
Sources of risk and resilience among adolescents from military families
APA Citation:
Bullock, A., Williams, L., & Goubanova, E. (2022). Sources of risk and resilience among adolescents from military families. Military Behavioral Health, 10(2), 124-133. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2022.2098883
Focus:
Youth
Mental health
Deployment
Branch of Service:
International Military
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Bullock, Amanda; Williams, Lisa; Goubanova, Elena
2022
Most of the extant research examining the impact of military life on adolescents from military families has focused on various sources of risk that negatively influence military-connected youths’ well-being. As such, the resilience factors that contribute to military-connected youth adjustment to military life are currently understudied, particularly in Canada. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to explore the perceptions of adolescents from Canadian Armed Forces families with regard to the sources of risk and resilience that affect their well-being. A sample of N = 178 adolescents (108 females, 70 males) between the ages of 14–19 years (Mage 16.44 years, SD = 1.59) from families of Canadian Regular Force service members responded to open-ended questions about the challenges and opportunities of military life they believed they encounter in comparison to adolescents from nonmilitary families. The results from thematic analyses revealed that these military-connected youth perceived enduring multiple unique challenges related to social disruptions, lack of sense of belonging, and feelings of distress during relocations and lack of parental availability and feelings of concern during parental deployment. Two themes on the sources of resilience emerged from the analyses, including access to military-sponsored programs and services, and travel opportunities resulting from the military parents’ career. The findings are discussed in terms of the ways to help adolescents adjust to military life challenges.
7 Pilot open trial of the OurRelationship online couples’ program in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Pilot open trial of the OurRelationship online couples’ program in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center
APA Citation:
Knopp, K., Rashkovsky, K., Khalifian, C. E., Grubbs, K. M., Doss, B. D., Depp, C. A., Glynn, S. M., & Morland, L. A. (2022). Pilot open trial of the OurRelationship online couples’ program in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 11(1), 33-41. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000196
Focus:
Couples
Veterans
Programming
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Knopp, Kayla; Rashkovsky, Katerine; Khalifian, Chandra E.; Grubbs, Kathleen M.; Doss, Brian D.; Depp, Colin A.; Glynn, Shirley M.; Morland, Leslie A.
2022
Military-related stressors place veterans at increased risk of intimate relationship problems, which are detrimental to physical health, mental health, and well-being. Couple and family interventions for veterans are effective, and veteran access to family-based care is mandated by law. However, many veteran couples experience barriers to accessing care. OurRelationship is a coached online relationship program that may help meet veterans’ needs for accessible couples’ interventions. Although OurRelationship is effective with community couples, it has not been implemented or evaluated in a Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center setting. The present study piloted the OurRelationship program at a VA site in the southwestern United States to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the program. Thirteen veterans and their partners enrolled in an open trial and provided baseline and postprogram data on relationship and individual functioning as well as qualitative feedback about their program experiences. Feasibility was supported by meeting recruitment goals, implementing all parts of the online program and coaching sessions, and a completion rate of 85%. Couples reported moderate to high satisfaction with the existing program but also suggested veteran-specific adaptations, including more attention to cognitive and mental health challenges. Veterans and partners exhibited small improvements in relationship satisfaction, distress, depression, and quality of life, with partners showing larger improvements in relationship conflict and quality of life. These results suggest OurRelationship can help expand access to family care for veterans; however, a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of a version of the OurRelationship program tailored to veterans is needed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
8 Predictors of missed school days among military connected families: A feasibility study
Predictors of missed school days among military connected families: A feasibility study
APA Citation:
Gehring, J., & Robert, R. C. (2023). Predictors of missed school days among military connected families: A feasibility study. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(1), 32-40. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000783
Focus:
Children
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Gehring, Janet; Robert, Rebecca C.
2023
Background: There is a paucity of research specific to military children's health, especially those with special needs. This may be partly attributed to the difficulty in accessing military connected families as a population. Yet, given the recognized importance of military connected families to the national security agenda, a need exists for studies to explore factors underlying child and family health. Purpose: We sought to identify factors among a sample of military children with special health care needs (CSHCN) predictive of missed school days, a commonly used measure of health and one used by NPs to monitor chronic conditions management success. Methodology: We used a secondary data analysis design and multivariable logistic regression with a subsample of military connected families from the National Survey of CSHCN identified by their reported insurance type. Results: We identified 1,656 military CSHCN. According to the adjusted model, hours of care per week, family work hours change, and activity limitations for the child were positive predictors of ≥4 missed school days per year. Conclusion/Implications: Our models identified important predictors of missed school days among military children that may inform assessments, interventions, and referrals by nurse practitioners caring for them. We identified a robust sample of military CSHCN from the National Survey of CSHCN by using self-reported insurance, a novel and simple approach to conducting a focused study of this population. Although feasible, this sampling approach was not without limitations. We advocate for including military connected families within sampling frameworks of national surveys to ensure that studies with this critical and unique population continue.
Psychological distress with relationship satisfaction is moderated by anticipatory relational savoring among non-deployed military partners
APA Citation:
Froidevaux, N. M., Sanchez Hernandez, H., Pourmand, V., Yunusova, A., Sbarra, D. A., & Borelli, J. L. (2023). Psychological distress with relationship satisfaction is moderated by anticipatory relational savoring among non-deployed military partners. Personal Relationships, 30(2), 636-659. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pere.12469
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Deployment
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Froidevaux, Nicole M.; Sanchez Hernandez, Hugo; Pourmand, Vida; Yunusova, Asal; Sbarra, David A.; Borelli, Jessica L.
2023
This study recruited participants whose partners were deployed for active-duty military service to examine whether anticipatory relational savoring moderated the association of psychological distress with relationship satisfaction. Two weeks prior to their partner's deployment (T1), participants (N = 73) completed a self-report measure of relationship satisfaction. Then, 2 weeks into their partner's deployment (T2), participants completed self-report measures of stress, loneliness, and depression (combined into a composite index of psychological distress), and relationship satisfaction. Participants also completed a stream-of-consciousness task at T2 in which they imagined and discussed their partner's return from deployment. We coded the stream-of-consciousness task for anticipatory relational savoring regarding their upcoming reunion with their deployed partner. We found that anticipatory relational savoring moderated the association of psychological distress with during-deployment relationship satisfaction after adjusting for demographics, interpersonal variables, and deployment-specific variables; the association did not hold after adjusting for pre-deployment relationship satisfaction, and thus was robust when considering the distress-satisfaction association during the deployment but was not when considering changes in relationship satisfaction from pre- to during-deployment. We discuss the potential importance of anticipatory relational savoring for this unique population.
Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a U.S. Veterans Affairs PTSD clinic
APA Citation:
Pukay-Martin, N. D., Fredman, S. J., Martin, C. E., Le, Y., Haney, A., Sullivan, C…Chard, K. M. (2022). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a U.S. Veterans Affairs PTSD clinic. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 35(2), 644-658. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22781
Focus:
Veterans
Couples
Trauma
Mental health
Programming
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Pukay-Martin, Nicole D.; Fredman, Steffany J.; Martin, Colleen E.; Le, Yunying; Haney, Alison; Sullivan, Connor; Monson, Candice M.; Chard, Kathleen M.
2022
Cognitive behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a 15-session conjoint treatment for PTSD designed to improve PTSD symptoms and enhance intimate relationship functioning. Numerous studies of CBCT for PTSD document improvements in patient PTSD and comorbid symptoms, partner mental health, and relationship adjustment. However, little is known about its effectiveness in real-world clinical settings. Using an intention-to-treat sample of couples who participated in CBCT for PTSD in an outpatient U.S. Veterans Affairs (VA) PTSD clinic (N = 113), trajectories of session-by-session reports of veterans’ PTSD symptoms and both partners’ relationship happiness were examined. Across sessions, there were significant reductions in veteran-rated PTSD symptoms, d = −0.69, and significant increases in veteran- and partner-rated relationship happiness, ds = 0.36 and 0.35, respectively. Partner ratings of veterans’ PTSD symptoms increased before significantly decreasing, d = −0.24. Secondary outcomes of veteran and partner relationship satisfaction, ds = 0.30 and 0.42, respectively; veteran and partner depressive symptoms, ds = −0.75 and −0.29, respectively; and partner accommodation of PTSD symptoms, d = −0.44, also significantly improved from pre- to posttreatment. The findings suggest that CBCT for PTSD was effective for decreasing PTSD and comorbid symptoms in veterans, as well as for improving relationship functioning and partners’ mental health, among a sample of real-world couples seeking treatment in a VA PTSD specialty clinic.
11 Military families with young children with disabilities: Families’ and providers’ perceptions
Military families with young children with disabilities: Families’ and providers’ perceptions
APA Citation:
Sands, M. M., McGuire, S. N., Meadan, H., DiPietro-Wells, R., & Hacker, R. E. (2023). Military families with young children with disabilities: Families’ and providers’ perceptions. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 64 (3rd Quarter), 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.01.013
Focus:
Children
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Sands, Michelle M.; McGuire, Stacy N.; Meadan, Hedda; DiPietro-Wells, Robyn; Hacker, Rebecca E.
2023
Active duty military families have unique life experiences that can affect individual members and also the family as a whole. While many benefits to the military lifestyle exist, previous research has described how children of active duty military families may also be more at-risk for emotional and academic difficulties as a result of parent absence, family stress or strain. For active duty military families who have children with disabilities, mobility and change can be especially stressful. However, limited research has been conducted to understand the experiences and perceptions of military families who have young children with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore (a) the experiences and needs of military families with young children with disabilities, and (b) the experiences and recommendations of early intervention professionals who work with young children with disabilities and their military families. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with six active duty military family members who have a children with disabilities, and focus groups were conducted with 12 early intervention service providers. Findings of the study include unique experiences and needs of military family members with young children with disabilities that have been highlighted in previous literature, as well as some unique findings specific to those receiving services under part of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
An exploration of potential pressures to engage in parenting accommodation of PTSD symptoms for military couples
APA Citation:
Allen, E. S., Renshaw, K. D., & Fredman, S. J. (2023). An exploration of potential pressures to engage in parenting accommodation of PTSD symptoms for military couples. Family Process. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12858
Focus:
Couples
Parents
Children
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Allen, Elizabeth S.; Renshaw, Keith D.; Fredman, Steffany J.
2023
In the context of service member posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, intimate partners may experience pressure to take over parenting roles and run interference between the service member and the children; that is, to engage in partner accommodation focal to parenting. The current study quantitatively assessed potential pressures to engage in parenting accommodation (PPEPA) in a sample of 207 female partners married to male service members with at least one child in the home and the convergence of PPEPA with service member PTSD symptoms, general partner accommodation, couple functioning, parenting, and child functioning. Partners' reports of PPEPA were associated with higher levels of service member PTSD symptoms and partners' general accommodation of PTSD symptoms. When controlling for service member PTSD symptoms and general partner accommodation, partner reports of PPEPA still accounted for unique variance in lower parenting alliance (as reported by both service member and partner), lower levels of service members' reports of closeness with children in the home, higher levels of harsh parenting by both the service member and partner, and greater child behavioral difficulties. Findings support PPEPA as related to partners' accommodative responses to PTSD but demonstrating unique associations with parenting alliance, parenting, and child outcomes. Parenting interventions in the context of PTSD may benefit from conjoint or family approaches that attend to the intersection of PTSD and broader family functioning, including pressures to engage in accommodation focal to the parenting domain.
