Assessing attributions in marriage: The Relationship Attribution Measure.

A brief, simple measure of different types of attributions for partner behavior was examined in 3 studies of married couples. Reliability was established by high internal consistency and test–retest correlations. Causal and responsibility attribution scores correlated with marital satisfaction, attributions for marital difficulties, and attributions for actual partner behaviors generated by spouses. Responsibility attributions were related to (1) reported anger in response to stimulus behaviors used in the measure and (2) the amount of anger displayed by wives during a problem-solving interaction with their partner. The extent to which husbands and wives whined during their discussion also correlated with their responsibility attributions. The results addressed several problems with existing assessments, and their implications for the measurement of attributions in marriage are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cognitions in marriage: The relationship between standards and attributions.

The current investigation explored the relation between (a) spouses' standards for their marriages and (b) attributions for relationship problems and reported emotional and behavioral responses. Three dimensions of relationship standards were assessed: boundaries, distribution of power between partners, and demonstrated investment in the relationship. Findings indicate it is not the levels of boundaries, power, and investment reflected in spouses' standards that were related to their attributions, emotions, and self-reported behavioral responses to relationship problems. Instead, negative causal attributions; attributions to boundary, power, and investment issues; negative emotional responses to relationship problems; and reported active-destructive behavioral responses to relationship problems were associated with (a) spouses' unmet standards and (b) how upset spouses became when their relationship standards were not met. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Marital satisfaction, depression, and attributions: A longitudinal analysis.

Examined the longitudinal relation between causal attributions and marital satisfaction and tested rival hypotheses that might account for any longitudinal association found between these variables. Data on attributions for negative partner behaviors, marital satisfaction, depression, and self-esteem were provided by 130 couples at 2 points separated by 12 mo. To the extent that spouses made nonbenign attributions for negative partner behavior, their marital satisfaction was lower a year later. This finding was not due to depression, self-esteem, or initial level of marital satisfaction, and also emerged when persons reporting chronic individual or marital disorder were removed. Results support a possible causal relation between attributions and marital satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The context of aggressive behavior in marriage: A longitudinal study of newlyweds.

Under what circumstances are spouses more or less likely to engage in aggressive behaviors? To address this question, the current study drew on multiple longitudinal assessments of 1st-married newlyweds to examine correlates of within-subject variability in aggressive behavior. Controlling for marital satisfaction, the authors found that spouses were more likely to engage in physical aggression at times when they engaged in higher levels of psychological aggression. Additionally, husbands reporting higher levels of chronic stress were more likely to engage in physical aggression overall and were more likely to engage in physical aggression when they were experiencing higher than average levels of acute stress. These results highlight how demands and supports in the context external to a marriage may affect processes within the marriage. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship problems in the early stages of marriage: A longitudinal investigation.

131 couples (aged 16–35 yrs) were assessed premarriage for relationship problems and adjustment. At each follow-up (12 wks and 1.5, 3, 4, and 5 yrs) a portion of the sample completed an interview, a set of interaction tasks, and the questionnaire. Consistent patterns were found among 3 methods (mean problem intensity, percentage checked in problem areas, and percentage ranked) of assessing couples' problems. Subsequent analyses on problem intensity ratings indicated a moderately strong association between male and female ratings at each stage of family development. Changes in clusters of problems were found between stages consistent with some changes in developmental tasks predicted by stage theories of family development. Support was found for the assumption that men and women confront developmental tasks at different rates. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The causality of causal attributions in depression: A cross-lagged panel correlational analysis.

The attributional reformulation of the learned helplessness model of depression proposes that causal attributions about negative outcomes play a causal role in reactive depression. This research tested this hypothesis by studying the causal role of attributions in depression in 180 college students. On 2 occasions separated by 1 mo, Ss were administered a battery of tests that included an attributional style questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. The attributional dimensions of internality, stability, and globality were correlated with depression; when the possible causal role of attributions was tested through the use of cross-lagged panel correlational analysis, the hypothesis that stability and globality attributions for bad outcomes might be causes of depression was supported. There was no support, however, for the hypothesis that internal attributions for bad outcomes are a cause of depression. Evidence was also found that unstable attributions for good outcomes may function as a cause of depression. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of actor depression on observer attributions: Existence and impact of negative attributions toward the depressed.

This experiment examined whether others explain the successes and failures of depressed versus nondepressed people differently and how these attributions are related to affective and behavioral reactions to a request for psychological help. Ss reported attributions about the success and failure experiences of hypothetical depressed and nondepressed people. Ss also responded to a hypothetical request for psychological help by indicating their attributions, affective reactions, willingness to help, and desire for future social contact. As hypothesized, Ss displayed more negative attributions toward depressed people. Replicating prior research (W. P. Sacco et al; see record 1986-12000-001), Ss responded to the depressive's request for help with mixed emotional and behavioral reactions. Path analyses revealed that attributions influenced affective reactions, which influenced willingness to help; but a more complex pattern emerged from the analysis of desire for future social contact. Results are discussed in terms of the interpersonal impact and possible causes of negative attributions about the experiences of depressed people. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effects of maternal attributions on parenting: An experimental analysis.

To address the direction of causality underlying the robust association of mothers' attributions for child misbehavior and mothers' parenting, mothers' child-centered responsibility attributions for their hard-to-manage toddlers' misbehavior were experimentally manipulated. Mothers and children were then videotaped interacting in typical but challenging situations. Relative to mothers who were told that their children were not to blame for misbehaving, mothers who were told that their children would misbehave voluntarily and with negative intent were rated as significantly more overreactive in their discipline and felt angrier; their children exhibited higher rates of negative affect. Therefore, mothers' attributions for children's misbehavior can determine the harshness of their discipline. Further research on attribution-focused interventions and their role in facilitating treatment response and maintenance in parenting programs is warranted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Enhancing the impact of counterstereotypic information: Dispositional attributions for deviance.

Counterstereotypic behavior by a single out-group member often fails to change out-group stereotypes because it can be dismissed as an exception to the rule. The impact of the "exception" can be strengthened by making the exception appear to be a typical out-group member and by encouraging a dispositional attribution for the exception's counterstereotypic behavior. These hypotheses were supported in 3 experiments using both artificial and real social categories and both positive and negative stereotypes. When counterstereotypic behavior by a typical member of the out-group was attributed to a stable internal cause, it was effective in moderating out-group stereotypes. However, the same behavior had virtually no impact when it was either performed by an atypical group member or attributed to external causes or to unstable internal causes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The longitudinal association between attributions and marital satisfaction: Direction of effects and role of efficacy expectations.

This study investigated the direction of possible causal effects between attributions for negative partner behavior and marital satisfaction and tested whether any effects are mediated by efficacy expectations regarding marital conflict. Couples married for 15-20 months completed measures of attribution and satisfaction at Time 1 and at Time 3 (18 months later). At Time 2 (6 months after Time 1) they completed a measure of efficacy expectations. For both husbands and wives, a cross-lagged effects model showed that the paths from causal attributions to later satisfaction and from satisfaction to later causal attributions were significant. Efficacy expectations mediated the temporal relation between attributions and satisfaction. These findings support the assumption that there is a reciprocal causal influence between attributions and satisfaction but suggest important modifications to models of close relationships and marital therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Serial marriage: A heuristic analysis of an emerging family form.

We discuss serial marriage, defined as three or more marriages as a result of repeated divorce, from a heuristic perspective. We estimate the prevalence of the phenomenon and advance hypotheses based on existing empirical, clinical, and theoretical work concerning the development of this life-style and its consequences for family members. We discuss possible outcomes of children in serial marriage families. We present conceptual and theoretical considerations for the study of serial marriage, as well as suggestions for future research directions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Causal attributions and male sexual arousal: The impact of attributions for a bogus erectile difficulty on sexual arousal, cognitions, and affect.

After viewing 2 sexually explicit films, 52 sexually functional participants were given bogus feedback indicating a low erectile response. The men were given either an external, fluctuating attribution (i.e., poor films) or an internal, stable attribution (i.e., problematic thoughts about sex) for the low arousal. As hypothesized, participants in the external, fluctuating group evidenced greater erectile response and subjective arousal during a 3rd film than did participants given the internal, stable attribution. This may indicate that after an occasion of erectile difficulty, the cause to which the difficulty is attributed plays an important role in future sexual functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychological impact of benign breast biopsy: A longitudinal, comparative study.

The impact of benign breast biopsy (BBB) on distress and perceptions of risk for breast cancer (BC) was examined. Interviews were conducted with 100 women shortly after notification of biopsy results and 4 and 8 months post-BBB. Compared with matched healthy comparison (HC) women without BBB, the BBB group evidenced greater BC-specific distress at baseline. BC-specific distress declined after BBB, remaining elevated relative to the HC group at the 8-month follow-up. Dispositional (optimism, informational coping style), demographic (education), clinical (family history of BC), and cognitive (BC risk perception) variables were associated with baseline levels of BC-specific distress or persistence of distress. Results support the monitoring process model (S. M. Miller, 1995) and the cognitive social health information processing model (S. M. Miller, Y. Shoda, & K. Hurley, 1996). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Predictors of calcium intake patterns: A longitudinal analysis.

Objective: The study was guided by the precaution adoption process model; the author examined factors associated with (a) stage of change with respect to calcium intake at 4 time points and (b) calcium intake patterns across time. Design: Data were collected by mailed questionnaire at baseline and at 3 follow-up assessments over 1 year. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures were calcium intake, stage of change with respect to calcium intake, and pattern of calcium intake across follow-up. Three patterns were identified: successful maintenance (adequate calcium intake at all 3 follow-ups), vacillation (adequate calcium consumption at 1 or 2 follow-ups), and inertia (inadequate calcium consumption at all 3 follow-ups). Results: Five hundred six women completed baseline questionnaires, and 346 completed 3 follow-up assessments. Even after baseline stage of change was controlled for, longitudinal analyses revealed 3 variables that predicted different patterns of behavior across time. Isolated instances of adequate calcium intake were predicted by higher levels of knowledge and perceived benefits, whereas long-term maintenance was predicted by lower levels of perceived difficulty. Conclusion: These findings provide support for a central premise of the model, that different factors are important at different points in the behavior change process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reexamination of the met-expectations hypothesis: A longitudinal analysis.

On the basis of their recent meta-analysis, J. P. Wanous, T. D. Poland, S. L. Premack, and K. S. Davis (1992) concluded that confirmation of newcomers' preentry expectations has a substantial impact on their work attitudes and behaviors. However, methodological problems inherent in many of the individual tests of the met-expectations hypothesis give cause to question this conclusion. In this longitudinal study, response surface methodology was used to examine the separate and joint contribution of expectations and experiences to the prediction of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and intention to leave during the first year of employment. The findings provided only modest support for the met-expectations hypothesis and suggest that to improve attitudes and lower turnover intentions, it is advisable to focus more on providing positive work experiences than on confirming expectations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Neuropsychological decline in frontotemporal lobar degeneration: A longitudinal analysis.

Few studies have assessed whether the patterns of neuropsychological impairment in patients with different frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) subtypes remain distinct over the duration of their illness or devolve into a common, undifferentiated neuropsychological state. A longitudinal neuropsychological analysis was obtained over 100 months assessing executive control, language/naming, and visuoconstruction in 441 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and four FTLD subtypes, i.e., a social comportment/dysexecutive (SOC/EXEC) disorder; progressive non-fluent aphasia (PNFA); semantic dementia (SemD); and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Initial group differences on each measure were maintained over the duration of illness, including several double dissociations. For example, AD patients exhibited a decline in 'animal' fluency; PNFA patients had difficulty on tests of executive control, SemD maintained their impairment on tests of naming, and CBD had presented with performance on visuoconstructional tests. None of the group by neuropsychological task interactions evaluating longitudinal decline was significant, suggesting that performance does not converge onto a common subtype over time. These data indicate that distinct patterns of neuropsychological impairment are maintained longitudinally, reflecting the unique anatomic distribution of relative disease burden in AD and FTLD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Concurrent and longitudinal patterns among sanctions, mood, and attributions.

Although some theorists claim that attributions are antecedents of mood changes, others argue that they are consequents. It is difficult to resolve this controversy satisfactorily because (a) the possibility that attributions are causally related to mood but mediated by another variable has not been considered fully, and (b) additional longitudinal research, particularly about how attributions are related to the offset of dysphoria, needs to be completed. We report a concurrent and longitudinal study addressing these issues. The concurrent study replicated and extended previous research, demonstrating that attributions for test performance were correlated with sanctions of affirmation and blame when they were correlated with mood. Furthermore, sanctions were more strongly associated with mood than were attributions. In the longitudinal study, sanctions decreased for subjects reporting decreased dysphoria and remained constant for those reporting stable mood. A similar consistency between the patternings of moods and attributions was not found. These results suggest that attributions are related to mood when their effects are mediated by sanctions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Maternal attributions and child oppositional behavior: A longitudinal study of boys with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The authors examined changes over a 1-year period in mothers' attributions for child behavior and child oppositional behavior among 53 mothers and nonproblem sons and 44 mothers and sons with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Boys averaged 8 years of age (SD = 11 months) at Time 1. Families were primarily of European Canadian cultural background and most were middle to upper middle class. Initial levels of child oppositionality did not predict changes in mothers' attributions over time. However, initial levels of mothers' attributions of oppositional child behavior to internal, stable, and global causes positively predicted child oppositional behavior, controlling for ADHD versus nonproblem status and the child's initial level of oppositional behavior. Although initial levels of overreactive and nonresponsive parenting also positively predicted child oppositional behavior, the contribution of mothers' attributions remained significant even with parenting variables controlled. Results suggest that mothers' attributions of child oppositional behavior to internal, stable, and global causes may contribute to maintenance of child problems over time and that these parenting cognitions have importance as intervention targets. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modeling caregiver adaptation over time: The longitudinal impact of behavior problems.

Although cross-sectional research has established the link between care demands and various indicators of caregiver adaptation, few studies have examined the impact of care recipients' problematic behavior over time. The present analysis determines the importance of behavior problems when predicting rates of change in subjective stressors (role overload and role captivity) and depression. Using 4-wave longitudinal data (N?=?137) on dementia caregivers, the authors fit individual growth curve models for care demands (i.e., behavior problems, activities of daily living dependencies, and cognitive impairment), subjective stressors, and depression. Subsequent structural equation models found that increases in behavior problems were most likely to predict increases in role overload. The findings emphasize the deleterious long-term impact of behavior problems on individuals' emotional adaptation to caregiving. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)