Understanding the Roots of Relationship Problems:

Family of Origin, Current Psychopathology, and

Self-Adjustment Therapy

Joshua Fuller, Honors Course Contract, Psych 305

Outline
I.

II.

III.

Family of Origin as a predictor to dating and marital

communication and conflict resolution styles, as well
as an indicator of increased likelihood of relationship
discord and violence
The relationship between current psychopathology
and discord in a dating or marital relationship
The principles of Self-Adjustment and how they can
be applied to improve communication methods and
conflict resolution strategies in dating and marital
relationships

Section I: The Importance of Family of Origin

Family of Origin

Belief: Conflict resolution and communication

strategies in an adults romantic relationships can be
traced to learned patterns from family of origin
Koerner and Fitzpatrick (2002) and Family of Origin
model:
Protective

Level of conformity

Consensual

Laissezfaire

Pluralistic

Level of conversation

Family of Origin Research

Conger, Cui, Bryant, & Elder Jr. (2000)

Parent-child socialization has stronger impact than parentparent socialization on the learning communication styles and
conflict resolution strategies
Acknowledges that parent-child and parent-parent socialization
patterns tend to be similar

Gardner, Busby, Burr, & Lyon (2011)

More supportive and positive family of origin experiences

connected to self and partner attributions regarding empathy
and kindness in communication patterns within the childs
romantic relationships in adulthood

Family of Origin and Relationship Violence

Gover et al. (2008)

Victimization through child abuse in family
of Origin greatest predictor of the perpetration
or victimization of violence (emotional or
physical) in adult romantic relationships
Parent-child and parent-parent interactions often linked. CPS
research say about 42% of cases involving child abuse that
resulted in the death of child also had a co-0ccurrence of domestic
violence between partners (2003).

Current Psychopathologys Impact on the Functioning of

Romantic Relationships

The Bi-Directional Relationship Between

Relationship Discord and Current
Psychopathology

Whisman et al. (2011)

Individuals experiencing relationship discord more prone to

developing mental health problems (e.g. depression, anxiety,
and substance abuse)
However, individuals with baseline depression are likely to see
a rise in relationship discord over time, resulting in further
depressive symptoms

Current
Psychopathology

Relationship
Discord

The Bi-Directional Relationship Between

Relationship Discord and Current
Psychopathology

Treatment Strategy? Baucom et al. (2014)

Couple Based Therapy (CBT)

Logic: since relationship discord and current psychopathology
can bi-directionally influence one another, use partner in
intervention to overcome discord and psychopathology
Three types:
1. Partner-Assisted Intervention
2. Disorder-Specific Intervention
3. Couple Therapy

Examples of specific strategies

OCD: expressive, supportive, maintain gains, respond differently

PTSD: empathy, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving

Anorexia Nervosa: empathy, communication, reestablish intimacy

Self-Adjustment Therapy and Self-Help

Self-Adjustment in Couples Therapy

Halford et al. (1994)

Proposes inclusion of self-adjustment principles in Behavioral

Couples Therapy (BCT). Focus on behaviors both partners can
change versus traditional approach that focuses on solving only
one partners problematic behavior.
Focus on what both partners can do is important in addition to
dyadic (we) approach because dyadic approach alone fails to
designate what individual partners can do to change.
Therapy approach: start with easy goals, focus primarily on
cognitions and anger, identify antecedents and reinforcements, and
develop positive memories between partners
Relationship quality will only improve with both partners perceived
to be making changes (Hira and Overall (2010)).
Learning communication and conflict resolution skills (through
self-help or therapy) linked to perceived reduction in relationship
distress and improvement in relationship quality (Bodenmann et
al. (2014)).

Self-Adjustment for Improving

Listening Skills

I am a listener reminder card (Dr. Gary Chapman,

Everybody Wins).
Avoiding antecedents to poor listening (Norman
Wrights book, Communication: Key to Your Marriage)
Changing negative perceptions about partner (as
inspired by Watson and Tharps Self Directed Behavior)

I think what you are saying is ___________? Am I

correct?
Do you believe I understand what you are saying?

Self-Adjustment for Improving

Conflict Resolution Skills

Dyadic, team-oriented approach to conflict resolution,

reminder statement to partner about relationship being
important (Dr. Chapman, Everybody Wins).
Recognize and respond to anger in an appropriate
fashion
Compromising (feeling respected and benefited by the
decision) and agreeing to disagree (but not letting the
issue come between partners)

Conclusion
Family of Origin, Current Psychopathology, and Self-Adjustment important
in analysis and treatment of dysfunctional romantic relationship patterns