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Vulnerable Emotional Expression In Emotion Focused Couples Therapy: Relating Interactional Processes To Outcome
Author(s) -
McKin Jacqueline M.,
Greenberg Leslie S.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/jmft.12229
Subject(s) - psychology , vulnerability (computing) , outcome (game theory) , forgiveness , clinical psychology , multilevel model , expression (computer science) , interpersonal relationship , emotional expression , expressed emotion , psychotherapist , social psychology , computer security , mathematics , mathematical economics , machine learning , computer science , programming language
This study examined whether interactions characterized by high expression of emotional vulnerability in one partner followed by a highly supportive response style by the other partner predicted greater improvement on domains of forgiveness, unfinished business, trust, and relationship satisfaction in a sample of 32 couples presenting for Emotion Focused Couples Therapy with unresolved emotional injuries. For each outcome measure, two separate hierarchical regression models were tested (injured partner vulnerability and offending partner supportiveness; offending partner vulnerability and injured partner supportiveness). Both models significantly predicted improvement on the majority of outcome measures. Practice suggestions for working with emotionally injured couples are provided in light of the findings.