Work

Exploring associations among baseline emotion regulation and change in relationship satisfaction among couples in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy compared to usual care

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Data from a two-arm randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) compared to usual care were used to examine whether baseline emotion regulation influences relationship satisfaction for female and male partners. This is clinically relevant as clinicians have debated whether clients' initial emotion regulation skills predict positive outcomes in EFT. METHODS: Dyadic multilevel modeling was used to determine whether baseline emotion regulation predicted both initial levels and change in relationship satisfaction and whether that relationship differed by treatment group (i.e., EFT or usual care). RESULTS: Baseline emotion regulation difficulties were associated with lower initial relationship satisfaction. However, baseline emotion regulation difficulties were not associated with change in relationship satisfaction over the course of treatment and this relationship did not differ by treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate that partners with diverse presentations of emotion regulation at baseline may benefit from couple therapy.

Source: Family Process

DOI: 10.1111/famp.12972

Authors: Jennifer M. White VanBoxel, Debra L. Miller, Preston Morgan, Nazia Iqbal, Caitlin Edwards, Andrea K. Wittenborn

Institutions: Northwestern University, Oklahoma State University, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Michigan State University

Language: English

Topic: Attachment and Relationship Dynamics

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,240