This manuscript focuses on four potential stumbling blocks in the multicultural feminist couple treatment of African-American, same-gender loving female adult child sexual abuse survivors: (1) gender roles; (2) "coming out" to self, family, and the community; (3) lesbian couple relationships; and (4) the expression of lesbian sexuality. These four potential barriers to therapeutic outcome withi...

The self-evaluation maintenance (SEM) model was originally developed to integrate distinct literatures on the potential positive and negative consequences for the self of being outperformed by others. Because close others are of particular importance for both of the basic processes thought to underlie the SEM model, committed heterosexual relationships provide an area in which relatively robust...

BACKGROUND Studies have shown that couple HIV counseling and testing (CHCT) increased rates of sero-status disclosure and adoption of safer sexual behaviors with better linkage to treatment and care. However, current evidence suggests that new HIV infections are occurring among heterosexual couples in stable relationships where the majority of the individuals are not aware of their partner's se...

Based on a male-derived model which views separation as the cornerstone of healthy development, the concept of fusion has been noted and pathologized in the literature on lesbian relationships. This paper will reexamine the relational patterns of lesbian couples within a perspective more attuned to female development which views connection as vital to growth. As women whose relational preferenc...

Depression is a disease that affects more women than men. One explanation why women are more frequently diagnosed with depression is that they cope with problems differently than men do. One such coping style, co-rumination, is the process of repeatedly talking about one’s problems without resolving them. While co-rumination is positively related to the quality of the friendship, it also correl...

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between family communication patterns and self-concept among youth in rural areas.The sample consisted of 315 participants (150 boys 165 girls), selected using a simple random sampling technique. The RevisedFamily Communication Pattern (RFCP) Survey, which has two dimensions - conversational orientation conformity orientation,was used measure var...