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COMM 4471: Communication in Marriage and Family Spring 2007 Updated 4-24-07 Defining Family Structural by social role Task-Orientation by goals & outcomes Transactional by communication behaviors & outcomes Structural Definitions Nuclear Stepfamily Single-Parent Blended Gay-Parents Multigenerational Adopted Task-Oriented Definitions Family of Origin Family of Orientation Dysfunctional Abusive Effective Transactional Definitions Supportive Alcoholic Cold Neglecting Open Conversation oriented Authoritarian Consequences of Definitions Social Legal Psychological Theoretical Defining Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal Communication is any interaction between two or more persons who exchange information, create meaning, and influence each other and who through this process create social reality for themselves and others and create and maintain relationships with each other. Circumplex Model of Family Functioning Two primary dimensions: Adaptability (Flexibility) Cohesion Facilitating Dimension Communication Functioning Family Functioning Dimension: adaptability/cohesion Family Communication and Facilitation Criticisms of Olson’s Model Lack of evidence for curvilinear relationships of adaptability and cohesion with functioning “Communication” largely underconceptualized McMaster Model Problem Solving Functioning Communication Family Roles A-response A-involvement Behavior Control Family Behavior Culture and Family Comm. Communication takes place in a cultural context Culture instantiated thru individual psychology Culture instantiated thru group practices Culture instantiated thru societal structures Dimensions of Culture Hofstede individualism-collectivism masculinity-femininity power-distance Hall Context Space & time Control-fatalism Correlates of (Sub)Culture Demographics Family size & composition Marital status of parents Age at childbirth SES Values, Beliefs & Practices Values, Beliefs & Practices Religion & religious participation Political orientation & participation Gender roles Intergenerational relations Community relations Stance toward institutions Exercise Identify cultural aspects most relevant to families in US society. If you are familiar with sub-cultures, describe where and how they differ from the mainstream. Discuss the consequences of culture for families and provide examples. 4 Theoretical Approaches Systems Theory Symbolic Interactionism Attachment Theory Dialectic Theory Communication Systems 1) Wholeness: Complete interdependence of parts 2) Nonsummativity: System is more than sum of parts 3) Openness: Systems do not exist in isolation 4) Equifinality: Outcomes are not predetermined by inputs 5) Hierarchy: Systems interact with other systems Evaluation of Systems Theory Strengths Emphasis on whole family & interdependence Clarification of role of external factors Weakness Complexity and interdependence make testable hypotheses difficult or impossible Symbolic Interactionism Humans ability to interact symbolically with one another is their defining characteristic and has important implications for Meaning, Language, and Thought. (Mead, 1934) Core Concepts of Symbolic Interactionism Meaning Root cause of human behavior Arises from human interaction Language Social symbols, containers of meaning Thought Symbolic, Reflective & Perspective Taking Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis a.k.a. Linguistic Determinism Thought depends on language Ungrammatical thought or thought w/o vocabulary is impossible Consequently, our language determines what and how we think Examples of Language Independent Thought Emotions (anger, hate, love, etc.) Visualizations Spatial Orientation Pre-verbal Infants Inability to put an idea into words Memories of sounds, smells, pain, etc. Sapir-Whorf and Reality Most thought independent of language Even if thought were to depend on language, language is generative Appearance of thought=language result of language facilities monitoring thought for immediate communication Attachment The Strong Bond between Infant & Primary Care Giver Innate (shared with many other animals) Necessary for Survival & Development Characterized by Multi-Stage Reaction to Separation Attachment (cont.) Necessary for Survival & Development Secure Base Function Save Haven Function Characterized by Multi-Stage Reaction to Separation: Protest Despair Detachment Rebound from Detachment Ainsworth’s Attachment Styles (determined by Strange Situation) 1. Secure - briefly upset; easily reattach 2. Avoidant - no emotional response; then avoid mother 3. Anxious/Ambivalent - very upset, then ambivalent PCG’s Behavior and Infant’s Attachment Style Reliably Available Secure Attachment Reliably Unavailable Avoidant Attachment Unreliably Available/Over Involved Anxious/Ambivalent Attachment Kobak’s Attachment Dimensions Secure Secure Dismissing Preoccupied Dismissing Avoidant Preoccupied Insecure Bartholomew’s Four Attachment Styles Model of Self + + Model Of Other _ _ Secure Preoccupied Dismissive Fearful Avoidant Comparing Infant and Adult Attachment Infant Adult Complementary Parent or Other Adult Exploration System easily overwhelmed Reciprocal Peer & Sexual Partner Separation has to be sever to elicit attachment like reaction Relational Dialectics Unlike Hegelian Dialectics, no synthetical resolution Most crucial in 3 dimensions 1) Affiliation 2) Predictability 3) Intimacy Dialectics are internal & external Internal & External Dialectics INTERNAL – Connectedness – Separateness – Certainty – Uncertainty – Openness – Closedness EXTERNAL – Inclusion – Seclusion – Conventionality – Uniqueness – Revelation – Concealment Responses to Dialectics More Functional Spiraling Alteration Segmentation Integration Reaffirmation Less Functional Denial Disorientation Balance Recalibration Ways of Learning Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Social Learning Classical Conditioning 1. Before: CS --/--> R; UCS ----> R 2. Conditioning: UCS + CS ----> R 3. After: CS ----> R CS = Conditional Stimulus UCS = Unconditional Stimulus R = Response Operant Conditioning Associating behavior with an outcome through reinforcement Reinforcement positive = presence of outcome negative = absence of outcome Outcome positive = desirable (reward) negative = undesirable (punishment) Social Learning Associating behavior with an outcome through observation Observation of presence/absence of positive & negative outcomes approval/disapproval of behavior by socialization agents (incl. significant others) Children’s Learning Children learn in all 3 ways Because social learning requires extensive cognitive representations of social world, social learning is dependent on child’s cognitive development Active vs. Passive Learning Passive Learning focus of traditional learning theories how environment is structured determines what is learned Active Learning focus of social learning theory how learner constructs (perceives) environment determines what is learned Family Interaction Norms Quantity of time spent No great changes in last 20 years Quality of time Type of activity Warmth & intimacy of interaction Increase in last 20 years? Family Communication Patterns Associated with Shared Social Reality Two means to share reality (McLeod &Chaffee) concept (conversation) orientation socio (conformity) orientation Two Dimensions of Family Communication Concept (Conversation) - Orientation - open discussion of ideas - family values interaction Socio (Conformity) - Orientation - children’s adoption of parental values - family values conformity Significance of Conversation Orientation facilitates socialization of children increases cognitive complexity validates children’s opinions, enhances self-esteem Significance of Conformity Orientation determines autonomy and independence of children determines children’s decision making Family Types Protective Conformity Orientation Laissez-Faire Consensual Pluralistic Conversation Orientation Assignment Think about 2 important rituals in your family and what they mean to you (i.e., the family) Write about it in 1-2 paragraphs and bring to next class Family Routines & Rituals Routine: repetitive behaviors structuring family life devoid of meaning or special significance Ritual: repetitive behaviors that give meaning to, celebrate, or honor family relationships Family Rituals Patterned Family Interaction Frequent, informal, everyday interaction Family Traditions Infrequent & family-specific, affirm family’s uniqueness Family Celebrations Infrequent, culture-specific, affirm family’s ties to community Small Group Exercise Share your stories of family rituals In your group, determine what type of routines or rituals were present in those stories and identify the symbolic functions they fulfilled Family Stories “accounts of family experiences reflecting beliefs about families and social institutions” shared among family members change over time fulfill important functions Functions of Family Stories Referential: define family history Evaluative: relationships, behaviors, community, society Socializing: of children and new family members (in-laws) Family Narratives Narratives = the form of stories Three Components Coherence Interaction Relationship beliefs Family Secrets Information about families or family members that are known to family but kept from outsiders Determine membership Three types Taboos Rule violations conventional Shared vs. individual secrets Rituals, Stories & Secrets Define family history, membership, values, internal & external relationships Create meaning for self and relationships with others Locate self in larger social context Power The ability to influence people Influence: to get people to think, feel, or behave differently as they would have otherwise Two Types Abstract: perception of power Concrete: power used in relationship Abstract Power Power that is perceived, but not enacted Depends on: Ability to control events Willingness to control events Once a party begins to control events, power becomes concrete Sources of Relational Power Reward Coercive (punishment) Expert Referent Legitimate Rhetorical Family Types = Patterns of Power Patriarchal Matriarchal Filiarchal (child-centered) Democratic Authority Dispersed Rules = Regulated Power Paradigms - overarching Midrange – context specific Meta Rules – rules concerning rules Concrete Rules – concerning behavior Regulative Constitutive Processes of Decision Making Consensual Accommodation De Facto Consensual conscious, methodical problem solving effort needs & interests of all family members considered maximizes problem solving communication with superior results Accommodation meet other’s rather than own needs & interests weaker family members are considered maximizes supportive communication, but results not always superior De Facto no conscious decision making decisions are made in response to internal/external exigencies minimizes interaction, but results are often inferior Choice in Decision Making Choice = available alternatives Constraint by: Awareness Roles Social structure Resources Skills Personalities Norms Other (unique) Factors Defining Conflict Psychological perceived incompatibilities in goals goals can be personal, relational, or instrumental associated with negative affect Interpersonal Behavior verbal aggression physical aggression problem solving Conflict Styles + Competition Collaboration Compromise Avoidance Accommodation Concern for Other + Conflict Outcomes Submission Compromise Standoff Withdrawal Responses to Conflict EVLN (Rusbult) active passive VOICE EXIT LOYALTY NEGLECT constructive destructive Coalition Building sub-systems (dyads) support each other can be dysfunctional scapegoating: parents blame child detouring: child exhibits marital problem triangulation: parent-child coalition against other parent Family Types & Conflict Pluralistic Engaging, problem focused, not hostile Consensual Engaging, consensus focused, med. hostile Protective Avoiding, conformity focused, hostile Laissez-Faire Avoiding, de-facto style, med. hostile Intimacy Psychological Closeness Innate human need for affiliation Experiencing Self-in-Other Behavioral Closeness Interdependence Self-Disclosure Nonverbal Affection (bids) Intimacy as Process Dyadic interaction A’s intimate gesture (bid) B’s perception of bid B’s response to bid (affirm, reject, ignore) A’s perception of response Personal development Relationship development Theory of Evolution (Darwin) Variation (random change of traits) Inheritance (passing on of traits to offspring) Selection (of advantageous traits) - Survival - Reproduction Sex Differences due to Evolution i.e., sex-differences in behavior that are the result of different reproductive challenges for the sexes Parental Investment Parental Certainty Parental Investment Men = low investment (intercourse) Less selective with sex partners Attraction based on fertility Women = high investment (pregnancy) More selective with sex partners Attraction based on ability to provide and loyalty Parental Certainty Men = low certainty Sexual jealousy Les attachment to children Women = high certainty Emotional jealousy More attachment to children Factors affecting mate selection Individual Dyadic/Interpersonal External Individual Interpersonal Needs Inclusion, control, affection Beliefs and Values Attractiveness Physical, social, task Dyadic/Interpersonal Similarity Assortive matching of sociocultural variables Less important for communication Compatibility Relationship development Decision-making & Conflict External Factors Proximity Physical, social, psychological Social-networks Family, friends, community Pathways to Marriage Commitment Intermediate Accelerated Time Prolonged Prolonged Pathway slow increase many up & down turns high conflict throughout dating high ambivalence couples often younger higher network resistance (parents) Intermediate Pathway slow, but consistent increase low conflict throughout dating low ambivalence, high compatibility couples often older less network resistance (parents) Accelerated Pathway fast increase & some drop-off low conflict throughout dating low ambivalence, high compatibility couples often older less network resistance (parents) Cohabitation Changed from taboo to almost normative Unclear effects on relationship If any, small effect on earlier dissolutions “marriage in training?” union duration hypothesis? Cohabitation: Conceptual difficulties What relationship type is it? Premarital Pseudomarital Alternative to marriage Is it an in dependent or dependent variable? Does it affect people? Do people affect it? Marital Success Stability criterion Satisfaction criterion Adjustment criterion Socialization criterion Other alternative criteria Communication and Marital success Usually based on adjustment/satisfaction criteria Association of behaviors & practices with adjustment/satisfaction Often conceptualized as relationship maintenance Relationship Maintenance (Stafford et al.) Assurance Openness Conflict Management Shared Tasks Positivity Advice Network Relationship Maintenance Behaviors Self-Disclosure & Sharing Expressing positive affect verbally Nonverbal Affect Joint Activities Conflict Behaviors Problem solving Repair work Acceptance of differences Marriage Beliefs Marriages are determined by 3 underlying beliefs ideology interdependence conflict style (avoidance) Dimensions of Marriage Types Interdependence physically, temporally & psychologically Ideology beliefs, standards & values conventional - unconventional Conflict total avoidance - active & open engagement Marriage Types Traditional conventional ideology, high conflict, high interdependence Independent unconventional ideology, high conflict, high interdependence Separate conventional ideology, low conflict, low interdependence Marriage Types & Communication Differences in Marital Communication emotional expressiveness instrumental tendencies language use & speech code use attention, acquiescence, presumption NVB: gaze, adaptors, dysfluencies, focus Traditionals’ Communication high internal self-disclosure & openness high couple references medium linguistic complexity medium linguistic elaboration Independents’ Communication external & internal self-disclosure & openness high couple references medium linguistic complexity high linguistic elaboration Separates’ Communication low internal & more external selfdisclosure & openness low couple references low linguistic complexity low/medium linguistic elaboration Gottman’s Theory “…a lasting marriage results from a couple’s ability to resolve the conflicts that are inevitable in any relationship.” Three Marriage Types validating volatile avoiding Conflict Styles (Gottman) Validating communication centered, empathetic, collaborating Volatile problem centered, egocentric, competitive Avoiding minimizing, egocentric, avoiding Magic Ratio (5:1) Marriages are stable as long as positive events outnumber negative events 5:1 Magic Ratio the same for all types of marriages Marriage Types and Conflict Traditionals = validators validate each other, problem solvers Independents=volatile emotional, expressive, like to fight Separates=avoiders usually don’t bother to complain Parent-Child Communication Three approaches Unidirectional Bidirectional Systems Unidirectional Approach Parents’ Behavior determines Child outcomes Two Dimensions Warmth Control Socialization by parents Socialization is based on teaching and modeling Socialization is completed when selfregulation replaces other-regulation Person Centered Communication The use of an elaborated code that focuses on motivations, feelings, and intentions of individuals and their distinct psychological perspectives. Position Centered Communication The use of a restricted code that focuses on the identities of others based on conventionally defined social roles and the rules & norms that govern behavior in specific contexts. Parenting Styles (Baumrind) Authoritative Firm control & warmth, person-centered Authoritarian Controlling, low warmth, position-centered Permissive Moderate warmth, low control, low regulation Parenting Styles (Baumrind) Authoritative Warmth Permissive Neglecting Control Authoritarian Bidirectional Approach Both parents & children are predisposed to interact with one another Both parents & children are similarly influential on how they communicate Parent-child interactions are linked to child development in intelligence, social skill, & language acquisition Infant behavior eliciting parental responses Gaze Smiling Distress-Discomfort Crying Avoidance Motherese Facial Expressions Vocalizations Gaze Systems Approach Family members affected by “Roles” Father Mother Son Daughter Dyads within families affect communication Coalitions Spill-over Scapegoating Triangulation External events affect communication Siblings Structural Types Full Half Step Adoptive Fictional Behavioral Types Reciprocal Complementary No relationship Factors in Sibling Relationships Age differential Sex Birth order Parental preferences Parental involvement Especially in conflict Positive Effects of Siblings More child-focused families Mutual socialization Mutual care giving & support Negative Effects of Siblings Competition & Rivalry Violent Conflict More demands on parents Disruption of existing relationships More punitive parenting Demand on economic resources Adult Sibling Relationships Important relationship (66%) Frequent Contact (60% +) Curvilinear relationships Factors Determining Contact proximity family size sex other interpersonal relationships SES & culture Little Effect on Well Being Grandparents & Grandchildren Increasingly Relevant Relationship (in 50% of families) Factors Determining Contact proximity age of grandparents & grandchildren gender of grandparents grandparent - parent relationship Styles of Grandparenting Normative formal fun seeking surrogate parent reservoir of family wisdom distant Nonnormative primary caretakers divorced step-grandparents Grandparenting Types Influential Very similar to parents Supportive Involved w/o discipline Passive Moderate, positive involvement Authority oriented Moderate, discipline oriented involvement Detached uninvolved Theories of Grandparenting Relational Solidarity Accommodation Perceptions of kindness Grandchildren’s involvement Grandparents’ story telling Intergenrational Stakes Hypothesis Parents & Adult Children High Contact (80%+) Factors Determining Contact proximity affection (parent’s more than child’s) Neediness (of children) Effects of Contact positive for children no effects for parents Socioemotional Selectivity Motivation Emotion regulation Self-Concept Information seeking Age Family Stressors Events that require change in family systems Normative vs. Nonnormative Morphogenesis vs. Morphostasis Temporary vs. Permanent Voluntary vs. Involuntary Stress Levels I: Changing role expectations and rules II: Changing fundamentals in relationships III: Changing basic assumptions about family ABC-X Model (Hill, 1949) Resources (B) Crisis (X) Event (A) Perceptions (C) direct effects interdependence feedback Double ABC-X Model Resources (B) Crisis (X) Event (A) Perceptions (C) direct effects interdependence feedback Family Coping Defined as adaptation of family system in response to stressors Exist on continuum: Bonadaptation: change that enables family to meet needs Maladaptation: change that leads family to being unable to meet needs Family Communication and Facilitation Coping Strategies Cognitive Emotional Relational Communicative Communal Spiritual Individually Family Social Support Based on Appraisal Theory Primary appraisal: initial threat Secondary appraisal: assessment after cognitive processing Social Support allows for a more positive secondary appraisal Types of Social Support Emotional Reduces negative affect Allows for rational cognition/perception Instrumental Provides resources to cope with stressor Informational Enables secondary appraisal Provides access to other resources Normative Family Stressors Changes that families are expected to experience but that nonetheless require family members to make adjustments to how they relate to one another Families & social support systems anticipate change and are prepared for it Family Life Stages 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Couple w/o children Couple with babies & preschoolers Couple with school-age children Couple with adolescent children Couple launching children Empty nest Retired couple Parenthood & Marital Satisfaction Changes in Marital Satisfaction 55 Satisfaction 54 53 52 Husbands 51 50 Wives 49 48 1 2 3 4 5 6 Family Life Stages 7 Explanations for Dissatisfaction Childrearing creates added stress Children draw attention away from partner (esp. wives’ attention) Alternative Explanations Parents/Nonparents differ in satisfaction before parenthood Children prevent breakup of dissatisfied couples Statistical artifacts cross-sectional research Marital Behaviors & Parenthood Division of Labor Leisure & Companionship Socioemotional Behavior Division of Labor More housework for both partners men: 1.9 --> 8.3 women: 3.9 --> 28 Impact on satisfaction men: less satisfied with division of labor & with marriage women: recently married less satisfied with division of labor, no effect on marital satisfaction Leisure & Companionship Less time spend on couple-activities Change in doing preferred activities men: less preferred activities women: more preferred activities Consequences: less satisfaction with activities for both no effect on overall marital satisfaction Socioemotional Behavior Less time spend as couple No change in affection No change in negative behavior No changes in marital satisfaction Parenthood-Satisfaction Model Parenthood - - - + 0 0 Leisure/ Companionship Div. of Labor 0 0 0 MaritalSatisfaction Socioemotional 0 0 Non-Normative Family Stressors Unexpected changes that require family members to make adjustments to how they relate to one another Families are not prepared for changes and often do not how to deal with them Families are unaware of (or unwilling to use) external resources that could help them Marital Distress Unexpected deterioration of relationship Associated with Communication Negativity & negative affect Negative perceptions & attributions Demand-withdrawal Other negative nonverbal comm. Temporary Separation Marital noncohabitation Military deployment Incarceration Employment Outcomes affected by: Perceptions of control Ability to maintain contact/intimacy Profoundness of change in relationships Responding to non-normative stress Based on your knowledge & experiences, what would you recommend people do who face nonnormative stressors, particularly in terms of communication. Divorce in America Today, marriages have 50% likelihood of divorce within 20 years Steady increase 1930-1960 Dramatic increase 1960-1970s Stable rate since 1980s 50 40 30 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 Societal Factors Women’s liberation Economic independence of women Change of cultural values Changes in legal system Individual Risk Factors Young Age (+) Premarital pregnancy (+) Children (-) Premarital cohabitation (+) Parental divorce (+) SES (-) Unrealistic and idealized notions (+) Remarriage (+) Religiosity (-) Marital Interaction & Divorce Satisfaction is poor predictor Amount of conflict poor predictor Type of Conflict matters Productive conflict: Validators Volatile Avoidant Magic Ratio= 5:1 Constructive Conflict (Notarius & Markman, 1993) More likely with: Listening talk Positive problem talk Less likely with: Negative problem talk Negative solution talk Mindreading Critical Talk Four Apocalyptical Horsemen Criticism Defensiveness Contempt Stonewalling Criticism complaint about other that involves attack on personality and/or character often done when upset Defensiveness rejection of other’s complaint or criticism, including denying responsibility & making excuses rejecting mind-reading reflect criticism & cross-complaining repeating & whining nonverbals that make similar points Contempt similar to criticism, but with the intent to insult and psychologically abuse other including insult & name calling hostile humor name calling contemptuous nonverbals Stonewalling withdrawal during intense conflict being unable to communicate with other Distance & Isolation Cascade Flooding (Stonewalling) Perception of Severe Marital Problems Decision to work out SMP individually Separation (Independence) Loneliness (Isolation) Divorce and Children Outcomes for children poorer psychological adjustment poorer peer & familial relationships lower SES attainment less marital stability Three Perspectives Parental Absence Economic Disadvantage Family Conflict Outcomes due to Divorce lower SES social stigma interrupted relationship to parent(s) Outcomes due to Conflict lack of problem solving skills loyalty conflicts learning of aggression/hostility loss of affection/respect for parent(s) disruption of parent-child relationship !! all these outcomes depend on HOW conflict is handled !! Deciding to Divorce (based on child’s interest) For: if conflict is intense, frequent, violent, & destructive if triangulation, detouring, & scapegoating Against: if conflict is constructive Post-Divorce Relationships Frequency of contact declines Content of interactions declines Quality of interactions increases Interactions have no effect on life satisfaction Identity Formation in PDR Divorce requires a redefinition of identity Factors facilitating redefinition increase satisfaction Factors inhibiting redefinition decrease satisfaction Remarriage 75% of divorcees remarry With similar satisfaction But, have higher divorce rate Divorce-prone personality hypothesis Training school hypothesis Willingness to divorce hypothesis Dysfunctional beliefs hypothesis Remarriage market hypothesis Remarriage and other relationships Ex-spouse Conflicted relationships with ex carries into new marriage Lingering attachment interferes with new marriage Childcare arrangements affect marriage Networks Acceptance of new spouse by network critical Step Families Marriage with children where at least one parent is not a biological parent Affect about 30% of children Will affect about 50% of Americans at some point in life Step-Family Development The process of negotiating & adjusting to new family relationships Different trajectories Accelerated (31%) Prolonged (27%) Stagnating (14%) Declining (6%) Turbulent (22%) Stepchild’s perception of family Retention (33%) Birth family is family Substitution (13%) Stepparent replaces noncustodial parent Reduction (25%) One birthparent & children are family Augmentation (28%) Biological & stepparent are parents Stepparenting Often difficult relationships between stepparents and children Stepparents see themselves as parents Stepchildren see them as friends/foes Relationships often deteriorate Relationship often lacks attachment Challenges of Stepfamilies Problematic relationships Negotiating (new?) relationships Conflict and conflict styles Fallout from previous marriage Interference from other parent Family Communication and Mental Health Mental Health problems pervasive (50%) Long Tradition linking family and mental health (e.g. Freud) Communication and Mental Health are interdependent Mental Illnesses associated with Family Communication Depression Loneliness Schizophrenia Eating disorders Alcoholism/Drug addiction Depression Most common mental health issue 10-25% for women 5-12% for men Associated with Communication More negative affect (incl. hostility & anger) More blaming & arguments Less problem solving Less intimacy Less positive affect & reciprocity Rejection & negative parenting Family’s contribution to depression Families of Origin Unresponsive parenting Genetic predisposition Families of Orientation/Marriages Lack of coherence & agency Emotional dysregulation Responses that reinforce depressed behaviors Families & Loneliness Defined: Less social interaction than desired (quantity & quality ) Indicator of relationship quality Families of Origin contribution Lack of cohesion/social support Parental loneliness Parental overinvolvement Family and Schizophrenia Defined: A severe mental illness characterized by difficulty comprehending social world Family communication causally related to schizophrenia Deterministically Interacting with vulnerability (genetic predisposition, drug use, etc.) Communication Causes Communication Deviance Odd, idiosyncratic, illogical, fragmented Expressed Emotion Intrusiveness, anger, criticism, & intolerance Affective Style Support, criticism, guilt induction, & intrusiveness Family and Eating Disorders Common Disorders Anorexia: refusal to maintain weight Bulimia: binge eating & compensation Associated with family of origin Chaos and low cohesions Control issues Boundary issues (e.g., Sexual abuse) Food issues & Parental modeling Family and Alcoholism Alcoholism Abuse: maladaptive use of alcohol Dependency: abuse plus withdrawal Family Contribution Curvilinear association between alcohol use and communication quality Reinforcing behavior by family members Family system is alcoholic Alcoholism and Relationships Marriages Nonalcoholic partner compensates Nonalcoholic partner more distressed Alcoholism ultimately reduced marital functioning & satisfaction Children Manifold negative outcomes for children Difficult to isolate role of alcoholism Many children are resiliant Family Comm. & Health Marriage associated with Health Selection hypothesis Healthier people marry and stay married Protection hypothesis Marriage = healthier lifestyle Partners look out for each other Positive Communication Hypothesis Communication and Physiology Conflict and Stress Negative interaction = stress Hostility = stress Negative effects of Stress Cardiovascular system Immune system Ergo: Marital Conflict leads to physical health problems Positive marital communication leads to good health (?) Family Comm. & Child Health Parental Conflict and psychosomatic symptoms in children Children externalize Children distract parents thru illness Parenting and Drug/alcohol abuse High control & low warmth/support Parental Modeling Family Sexual Communication Importance of Studying Sexual Behavior Adolescent STD rates Teen pregnancy rates Physical, social & economic costs Sex in Interpersonal Relationships Almost all people (>98%) will have sex at some point 80% boys & 66% girls have sex before graduating high school 16% men & 20% women have no premarital sex Sexual Attitudes Procreational Sex to have offspring Relational Sex as expression of love & intimacy Recreational Sex as fun, excitement & pleasure Structural Factors Single parent Cohabitating & Stepfamilies Lesbian families Siblings Other Factors Values & rules Parents’ sexual history Family connectedness & monitoring Leisure time & church Family Communication Open & supportive communication Delayed sexual behavior Increased use of contraception Increased use of condoms Explanations Child self-esteem & control Better knowledge of values Knowledge of parental expectations Sexual Education in the Family Is it appropriate for parents to discuss sex with their children? Why would some parents decide to talk to kids about sex? What topics are appropriate? What topics are (not) discussed? At what age should sexual education begin? What is parents goal in talking to kids about sex? Does parent-child sexual communication affect children? If so in what ways? Family Sexual Communication Mothers primary sex educators Not much comm & unclear messages If parents don’t talk, will go to friends If parents talk, twice as likely to go parents If discussions were comfortable, informative and valuable, adolescents were four times more likely to use parents (Warren & Neer, 1986). Reasons For Not Discussing Sex (Rosenthal, Feldman & Edwards, 1998) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Uncomfortable Didn’t know how to proceed Sex education in school would take care of it Kids not willing to talk Kids not ready Kids need privacy Doubt ability to communicate openly Worried about kids response – don’t want to lose them 9. Too late for kids to benefit 10. Kids already are knowledgeable Topics Covered Miller et al (1998) 3 most talked about topics 3 least talked about topics Why do you think this is? Types of Sexual Communicators (Rosenthal, Feldman & Edwards; 1998) Avoidant Communicators Reactive Communicators Opportunistic Communicators Child-Initiated Communicators Mutually Interactive Communicators Timing of Sexual Communication Teachers’ opinions in 1988 & 1999 Should be taught by 12th grade (98%) Should be taught by 7th grade (78-98%) Miller et al (1998) Timing & condom use Effects of Family Sexual Comm. Results inconsistent & contradictory Negative Calhoun & Friel (2001), Fisher (1989), (Leighton et al., 1993) No Effect Gyung (2004), Moore et al. (1986), Hanson et al. (1987) Positive Dilorio et al.(1999), Holtzman & Rubinson (1995), Furstenberg, Moore and Peterson (1985) Parents’ Nonverbal Communication Joffe & Frana-Koh (2001) Nonverbal sexual communication, current sexual behaviors and sexual guilt ↑ Parental nonverbal= ↓ age of first sexual activity ↑ Parental nonverbal = ↓ sexual partners ↑ Parental nonverbal = ↓ sexual guilt So would you say nonverbal sexual communication has a positive, negative or neutral effect on adolescents? Family Violence & Abuse Family relationships are most (only) violent relationships Siblings 64% violence, 36% severe violence Parent-Child 34% & 11% (~100% for children < 3) 0.5 % sexually abused, 3% neglected Marriages 16% & 8 % Courtship & Marital Violence similar types of violence similar explanations for violence intimacy related to violence 50% of married victims were victims in dating relationships 29% of victims maltreated as children, 50% observed parental violence Conclusions from Study Victims of spousal abuse often have history of abuse during dating & childhood Marital & Courtship violence are very similar Should conceptualize Relationship Violence Codependence Behavior of functional partner that enables other’s dependency Enabeling behavior controlling nurturing relationship maintenance Inconsistent Nurturing as Control Functional partner controls dependent through intermittent nurturing Based on Learning Theory nurturing is rewarding withholding nurturing is used to punish dependent (neg. reinforcement) intermittent rewards reinforce behavior Assumptions of INC Learning Theory is accurate Withholding nurturing only available punishment to functional partner Functional partner is weak: low self-esteem low Clalt no other resources Conclusions re. Codependence Abuse & dependency of one partner are affected by dyadic processes Codependents contribute to abuse & dependency thru enabeling behavior Change in the codependent’s behavior can and does effect change in the behavior of the abuser/dependent Child-Abuse as Miscommunication Abuse = discipline take too far Family communication: Low cohesion & low flexibility High conformity & low conversation authoritarian parenting Position centered messages Theoretical explanations Social learning Dysfunctional systems Stress & coping Resources & cultural expectations Social cognition Unrealistic & rigid expectations Attachment Sexual Abuse High association with physical abuse Similar explanations Unique factors Boundary confusion Role confusion Improving Family Communication Often, communication erodes Prevention better than repair Primary: education for well functioning families Secondary: intervention for at-risk families Tertiary: intervention/repair during & after crisis Primary Prevention Education & communication skills training ~50% of couples do premarital prep. Little evidence for effectiveness, but greater chance to seek help in crisis PREP: general skills training PREPARE: diagnosis & skills training Secondary Prevention Marital enrichment & training Marriage Encounter: Emphasis on intimacy thru self-disclosure Peer-lead, faith based workshops Couples Communication Program Focus on communication skills & awareness of self & other Secondary Prevention Parent Training STEP: Emphasis on understanding child behavior Teach skills appropriate to child goals Focus on effort rather than outcome Teaching thru natural consequences Behavioral Parent Training Based on learning theories Reinforcement = reward good behavior Time-outs & modeling Tertiary Prevention Behavioral & Cognitive-Behavioral Based on assumption that couples/families reinforce behaviors Teaches rewarding behaviors Teaches cognitive restructuring Structural Family Therapy Structure crucial for functioning Structure changes during life-stages Issues: boundaries, power & alignment