Family relationships, parenting practices, the availability of male family members, and the behavior of inner-city boys in single-mother and two-parent families

The primary goal of this study was to clarify if and how differences in the functioning of single-mother and two-parent families relate to the occurrence of behavioral problems among inner-city boys (ages 10-15). Data were collected on family relationships, parenting practices, the positive influence of male family members, and the severity of externalizing behavior problems. Results indicated that (1) multiple family risk factors contribute to the occurrence of behavior problems; (2) most family risk factors were generalizable to both single-mother and two-parent families; (3) although boys in single-mother families were at greater risk for developing behavior problems than boys in two-parent families, the risks associated with single motherhood were offset by a structured family environment, an effective disciplinary strategy that allowed for some degree of adolescent autonomy, and the positive involvement of a male family member; and (4) not all differences in the functioning of single-mother and two-parent families were associated with problem behavior, underscoring the importance of distinguishing between adaptive and maladaptive aspects of single-mother family functioning.     

Conflict and collaboration in middle-aged and older couples: II. Cardiovascular reactivity during marital interaction.

Marital strain confers risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), perhaps though cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) to stressful marital interactions. CVR to marital stressors may differ between middle-age and older adults, and types of marital interactions that evoke CVR may also differ across these age groups, as relationship contexts and stressors differ with age. The authors examined cardiovascular responses to a marital conflict discussion and collaborative problem solving in 300 middle-aged and older married couples. Marital conflict evoked greater increases in blood pressure, cardiac output, and cardiac sympathetic activation than did collaboration. Older couples displayed smaller heart rate responses to conflict than did middle-aged couples but larger blood pressure responses to collaboration—especially in older men. These effects were maintained during a posttask recovery period. Women did not display greater CVR than men on any measure or in either interaction context, though they did display greater parasympathetic withdrawal. CVR to marital conflict could contribute to the association of marital strain with CVD for middle-aged and older men and women, but other age-related marital contexts (e.g., collaboration among older couples) may also contribute to this mechanism. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Associations of self-reports versus spouse ratings of negative affectivity, dominance, and affiliation with coronary artery disease: Where should we look and who should we ask when studying personality and health?

Objective: Aspects of negative affect and social behavior studied as risk factors for coronary heart disease are usually examined separately and through self-reports. Using structural models of these personality domains, we tested associations of self-reports and spouse ratings of anxiety, depressive symptoms, anger, affiliation and dominance with coronary artery disease (CAD). Design: In 154 healthy older couples, the authors tested cross-sectional associations with CAD of three facets of negative affectivity and two dimensions of the Interpersonal Circumplex, (IPC) using scales derived from the NEO-PI-R. Main Outcome Measures: CAD was quantified as Agatston scores from CT scans of coronary artery calcification (CAC). Results: Self-reports were generally unrelated to CAC, whereas spouse ratings were consistently associated, largely independent of potential confounds. When considered simultaneously, anxiety and anger were related to CAC but depression was not. When considered together, both dominance and (low) affiliation were related to CAC. Conclusions: Structural models of negative affectivity and social behavior can facilitate integrative study of psychosocial risk factors. Further, self-report measures of these traits might under-estimate related CHD risk. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Interpersonal processes and psychopathology among expectant and nonexpectant adolescent couples": erratum.

Reports an error in the original article by D. R. Moore and P. Floursheim ( Journal of Counseling and Clinical Psychology , 2001, 69 [1], 101–113). The caption on page 103 was presented without the complete permission. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2001-14541-012): This study examined the interpersonal and psychological functioning of expectant and nonexpectant adolescent couples. Interpersonal processes were assessed using the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (L. S. Benjamin, 1974) and psychological functioning was assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents–Revised (W. Reich, 1991). Compared with their nonexpectant peers, expectant couples exhibited higher rates of negative interpersonal processes, including demand–withdraw behaviors and lower rates of positive interpersonal processes. Expectant males reported higher rates of behavior disorders, substance use disorders, and internalizing disorders than nonexpectant males. Higher rates of substance-use disorders mediated the effect of expectancy status on demand–withdraw behavior. Results help clarify the links between the psychological association with adolescent pregnancy and the interpersonal functioning of young expectant couples risks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Family processes and risk for externalizing behavior problems among African American and Hispanic boys.

This study examined the relationship between family processes and risk for externalizing behavior problems among urban African American and Hispanic youth. The structural analysis of social behavior was used to code family interactions. Results indicate that high-risk boys were more submissive and less warm than low-risk boys. When they did assert themselves, high-risk boys tended to do so in a hostile manner. Parents of high-risk boys were more punitive and less nurturant than parents of low-risk boys. Regardless of risk status, African American boys were more assertive than Hispanic boys and African American parents were less controlling than Hispanic parents. These findings complement previous research on the development of antisocial behavior by highlighting the role of the adolescent in family processes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)