Description
TitleImproving intimate relationships
Date Created2018
Other Date2018-08 (degree)
Extent1 online resource (vii, 78 p. : ill.)
DescriptionHold Me Tight: Conversations for Connection (HMT) is a psychoeducational program for couples developed by Susan Johnson, Ph.D. to support relationship enhancement. HMT is based on Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), an empirically supported, attachment-based couple treatment shown to improve relationship outcomes for couples. This exploratory study examines how participation in the HMT workshop, an intensive two-day workshop based on this treatment model, affects relationship outcomes in a self- and clinician-referred sample of 103 participants who attended the workshop with their partners. The data was archival, collected as part of performance improvement measures by workshop facilitators. As such, demographic data was not available on these participants. The Rating Scale for Couples, (RSC; adapted from the Outcome Rating Scale; Miller, Duncan, and Johnson, 2002) was administered to both partners at the beginning of the workshop, and then a second time at the end. The RSC is a brief measure, comprised of five visual analog scales, adapted from its original individual form. These scales seek to measure changes in five areas: closeness, emotional safety, connection, overall commitment, and relationship satisfaction. These constructs were selected for their relevance to overall adult attachment conceptualizations that are core to the EFT framework. Pre- and post-changes indicated that there was statistically significant improvement on all the dimensions measured. Males and females showed no differences between pre- and post-measures and showed statistically significant improvement on all dimensions as shown by pre- and post-workshop measures. Additionally, individuals who exhibited low, moderate, and high levels of distress all showed improvements in all dimensions. Limitations of the study, and future directions for such research are discussed.
NotePsy.D.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Saba Khan
Genretheses, ETD doctoral
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.