The Family Journal current issue

Gratitude

Southern, S. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Where Attachment Meets Acculturation: Three Cases of International Adoption

Lancaster, C., Nelson, K. W. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Three mothers of eight children adopted from China were interviewed about their experience with international adoption. A narrative phenomenological research design resulted in the identification of six themes from their stories (a) not being prepared and survival, fear, and grief; (b) attachment; (c) barriers faced in the schools; (d) burn out; (e) counseling; (f) strategies of building community and validating ethnic identity and acculturation; and (g) becoming a family takes time. Authors recommend further research and more attention to the family counseling needs of international adoption families.

Play Theme-Based Research With Children

Green, E. J., Crenshaw, D. A., Langtiw, C. L. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

As children play, themes, or consistent patterns, emerge. Often times, children play out themes related to current psychosocial or developmental struggles. This article examines the most common themes illustrated throughout children’s play within a clinical setting. Additionally, case illustrations are interspersed throughout the article to illustrate the importance of family counselors identifying themes and integrating the working knowledge as an ancillary to the counseling session.

Cultural Immersion as a Learning Method for Expanding Intercultural Competencies

Canfield, B. S., Low, L., Hovestadt, A. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

This article presents an overview of the development and utilization of a cultural immersion experience assignment in courses that focus on expanding the knowledge and skill set of counselors and other counseling professionals for working with culturally diverse client populations. The utility of this method and specific suggestions for its use in three instructional formats: traditional on-campus courses, study-abroad program courses, and 100% Internet-based courses are examined.

Gender Dynamics and Role Adjustment During the Transition to Parenthood: Current Perspectives

Koivunen, J. M., Rothaupt, J. W., Wolfgram, S. M. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

This review of recent literature addresses the issues of marital change across the transition to parenthood, the process of redefining gender roles, the division of labor in the family, striving for equally shared parenting, and the struggle to maintain egalitarianism after the birth of a child. Furthermore, this article also provides practice-related implications for practitioners, an inclusive term that includes family life educators, couple and family counselors and therapists, social workers, family service agency personnel, home health aides, and others working with couples and families.

Intact Marriages in Which One Partner Experiences Same-Sex Attraction: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study

Yarhouse, M. A., Gow, C. H., Davis, E. B. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

This study is a 5-year follow-up study of intact, heterosexually married couples in which one partner reports same-sex attraction and both partners report satisfaction with their marriage. Twenty-four participants provided information on their experiences in marriage. Participants in the original study were identified through purposeful sampling and completed questionnaires using mixed quantitative and qualitative methodologies to provide examination of mixed orientation marriages, a relatively unexplored research topic. The questionnaire at 5-year follow-up included questions about the participants’ experiences in marriage, motivations for remaining heterosexually married, and satisfaction in marriage.

The Interpersonal Relationship Resolution Scale: A Reliability and Validity Study

Beckenbach, J., Schmidt, E., Reardon, R. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

This article reports the results from a study conducted to investigate the reliability and validity of the Interpersonal Relationship Resolution Scale (IRRS). The IRRS is an instrument intended to measure relational violations and forgiveness with regard to interpersonal injury. Internal consistency coefficients and discriminant validity were explored. Similar to previous studies, the findings of this study suggest that the IRRS is generally reliable and valid. Some inconsistencies in reliability results between this study and other research are discussed, and suggestions for future research to explore these inconsistencies are provided.

A Couple's Activity for Understanding Birth Order Effects: Introducing the Birth Order Research-Based Questionnaire (BORQ)

Eckstein, D., Sperber, M. A., Miller, K. A. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

In an effort to explore the role of family of origin (or equivalent) issues as they affect a couple’s relationship, the authors introduce the Birth Order Research-Based Questionnaire (BORQ). Couples will also be asked to participate in other interview questions to assess each individual’s birth order effects and family of origin. A brief review of the birth order literature is included as well as an appendix documenting the birth order traits for oldest, only, middle, and youngest. The article concludes with the implications of the couple’s activity.

Treating Patients With Asthma: The Impact of Individual and Family Dynamics

Sperry, L. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Asthma is an increasingly common chronic medical condition that affects not only patients but their families. Because this condition has significant psychosocial impact, effective treatment requires an integration of psychosocial treatment—including individual, couples, and family counseling—with conventional medical treatment. Individual psychological dynamics as well as couple and family dynamics that influence the treatment process are described along with implications for family counseling. An illustrative case example is included.

Shelly: A Case Study Focusing on Ethics and Counselor Wellness

Hendricks, B., Bradley, L. J., Brogan, W.C., Brogan, C. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Counselors experience stress and anxiety as part of their profession. However, frequently counselors do not attend to their own needs regarding self-care and wellness, thus, placing themselves at risk of ethical violations relating to counselor impairment. In this article, a case study is presented with a correspondent wellness plan illustrating ways that counselors might implement self-care strategies to improve their wellness. The wellness treatment plan is written in conjunction with a physician, a cardiologist, who suggests simple ways to assess and monitor wellness.

Masculinity and Sexuality: Impact on Intimate Relationships of African American Men

Crook, T., Thomas, C. M., Cobia, D. C. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

In the absence of specific literature, this article provides information about racial identity and masculinity in regard to issues of sex, sexuality, and intimate relationships among African American men. To aid counselors in their understanding and response to these sex-related issues, culturally relevant practices are identified. Recommendations for counseling practice are discussed.

Spirituality of Our Lives: An Interview With Harry Aponte

Horsford, S. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Dr. Harry Aponte is a leader in the field of couple and family therapy. He has made lasting contributions in many aspects of the profession, including working with low-income and minority families and exploring self-of-the therapist issues. The following interview, conducted in October 2007 by Sheena Horsford, focused on spirituality and meaning making.

Book Review: Arland Thornton, William G. Axinn Marriage and Cohabitation. Chicago: University of Chicago Press; 2007. 443 pp., US$40.00. ISBN #0-226-79866-6

Healey, A. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Book Review: Sandra R. Leiblum and Robert Wood Therapeutic Games and Guided Imagery: Tools for Mental Health and School Professionals Working with Children, Adolescents, and their Families New York: Guilford Publications, 2006. US$65.00. 240 pp. ISBN 1-59385-349-1

Russell, E. B. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Book Review: L. A. Dimeff and K. Koerner Dialectical Behavior Therapy in Clinical Practice: Applications Across Disorders and Settings New York: Guilford Press, 2007. 363 pp. $42.00. ISBN 1-57230974

Hoffman, R. M. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Book Reviews: Lisa Aronson Fontes Interviewing Clients Across Cultures: A Practitioner's Guide New York, NY: The Guilford Press, 2008. 334 pp. $38.00. ISBN 978-1-59385-710-3

Clark, E. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Book Review: Robert W. Firestone, Lisa A. Firestone, and Joyce Catlett Sex and Love in Intimate Relationships Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2006, 2008. 338 pp. $34.06 (softbound, 2008), $40.95 (hardbound, 2006). ISBN 1-59147-286-5 (hardbound), ISBN 1-43380-430-1 (softbound)

Del Rio, C. M. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Book Review: Rebecca Crane Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Hove, East Sussex: Routledge, 2009. 176 pp. $17.95. ISBN 978-0-415-44502-3

Oberman, A. H. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Book Review: Peter Titelman Triangles: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives New York, NY: The Haworth Group, 2008. $69.99. 547 pp. ISBN 9780789027757

Moore, T. L. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Book Review: Frank Jacobelli and L. A. Watson ADD/ADHD Drug Free: Natural Alternatives and Practical Exercises to Help Your Child Focus New York: American Management Association, 2008. 216 pp. $15.00. ISBN 978-0-8144-0094-4

Moulton Sarkis, S. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:35 PDT

Book Review: Lizabeth Roemer and Susan M. Orsillo Mindfulness- & Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapies New York: The Guilford Press, 2009. 244 pp. $35.00. ISBN 978-1-59385-997-8

Luke, M. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:36 PDT

Book Review: R. F. Scuka Relationship Enhancement Therapy: Healing Through Deep Empathy and Intimate Dialogue New York: Routledge, 2005. 341 pp. $41.95. ISBN 10:0-415-95014-7

Holt, M. L. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:36 PDT

Book Review: John M. Gottman The Marriage Clinic (1999). Julie Schwartz Gottman The Marriage Clinic Casebook New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2004. 456 pp., 237 pp. (casebook). $49, $32 (casebook)

Leggett, D. G. — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:01:36 PDT