Andrea K Wittenborn
Biographic Data
| ID | 225340 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Andrea K Wittenborn |
| GIVEN NAMES | Andrea K |
| FAMILY NAME | Wittenborn |
| SIGNATURE | WITTENBORN A K |
| AFFILIATIONS | Michigan State University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4608-0635 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 9 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 19 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
The transition to Teletherapy
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is an evidence‐based treatment for relational distress based on experiential, humanistic, and attachment theories. Despite the empirical support for EFT, there are no studies on EFT delivered via teletherapy. In this study, we aimed to understand therapists' experiences delivering EFT through teletherapy using open‐ended questions on a web‐based survey of certified EFT therapists ( n = 69). Reflexive thematic ana…
Developing guidelines on EFT for same‐sex/gender relationships
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is one of few empirically supported treatments for relationship distress. While evidence‐based approaches are critical for ensuring safe and effective treatment, EFT has not been adapted for use with same‐sex/same‐gender (SS/SG) relationships. This study used the Delphi method to generate consensus on treatment guidelines for using EFT with SS/SG relationships. Forty therapists with clinical expertise in EFT for …
Unifying human development and family science
Co-Guest editors Ramona Faith Oswald and Anisa Zvonkovic invited us to comment on the article by Dyer (2024) in the special issue, Theorizing Academia: Critical and Futuristic Perspectives. In her article, Dyer, as a faculty member at a highly regarded teaching-focused state university, offers her perspective on how Human Development and Family Science evolved from Home Economics. We agree with many of Dyer's thoughts, but our perspective deviate…
Exploring associations among baseline emotion regulation and change in relationship satisfaction among couples in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy compared to usual care
BACKGROUND: Data from a two-arm randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) compared to usual care were used to examine whether baseline emotion regulation influences relationship satisfaction for female and male partners. This is clinically relevant as clinicians have debated whether clients' initial emotion regulation skills predict positive outcomes in EFT. METHODS: Dyadic multilevel modeling was used to determine whether …
Exploratory Analysis of Pursue-Withdraw Patterns, Attachment, and Gender among Couples in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported treatment for couples experiencing relationship distress. EFT therapists use the pursue-withdraw cycle to track and attend to couples’ patterns of interaction and attachment behaviors. However, the relationships between pursue-withdraw categorization and gender and attachment in clinical couples are underexplored. We examined the theoretical mechanisms associated with these relationshi…
“Big Brother was Watching Me
Minimal research exists exploring how emotional vulnerability relates to client and therapist identities. This study illustrates findings from a preliminary exploration of (a) the vulnerabilities clients experience when receiving feedback from a reflecting team and (b) the intersection between vulnerability, sexual orientation, and racial-ethnic minority identities. Using the concept of a gem, or an exceptionally significant excerpt in Interpreta…
Recruitment strategies in couple intervention studies
Including diverse participants in couple intervention studies is critical for developing an evidence base that informs best practices for all potential clients. Research has shown that subgroups of clients respond differently to different interventions and that interventions that have been adapted to fit the needs of a given population are more effective than non‐adapted interventions. Unfortunately, couple intervention samples often exclude part…
Session‐to‐session bidirectional associations of alliance with depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction
The relationship between therapeutic alliance and treatment outcomes is one of the most widely studied topics in psychotherapy research. Research has primarily considered a unidirectional model whereby alliance predicts outcomes, which implies that building alliance early in therapy results in later symptom improvement and ignores the possibility that early symptom improvement could also subsequently lead to improved alliance. This study explored…
The therapeutic alliance in couple therapy
The formation and development of the therapeutic alliance in couple therapy is a complex process and a key contributor to positive treatment outcomes. This study explored differences in trajectories of therapeutic alliance by sex and treatment condition among 24 couples randomized to receive Emotionally Focused Therapy or treatment as usual. The results identified a curvilinear growth pattern for alliance across both treatment groups. Female part…
Couple Classes of Depressive Symptom Trajectories and Associations with Relationship Satisfaction
The literature indicates a robust negative relationship between depression and couple relationship satisfaction. However, less is known about the differential effects of romantic relationships on depression over time and whether one or both partners experience depression. Using data from 1215 couples across 4 years, we sought to examine couple classes of depressive symptom trajectories and investigate the degree to which relationship satisfaction…
Examining the Role of the Attachment Bond in the Process of Recovering from an Affair
Infidelity is an attachment injury as it shatters basic assumptions about one’s relationship. This study investigated the role of the attachment bond in affair recovery. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with couples (both partners; N = 20) who stayed together after an affair. Thematic analysis revealed important aspects of the recovery process including ongoing communication, intentional bids for closeness, and a commitment to the…
Representation of Diverse Populations in Couple and Family Therapy Intervention Studies
Disparities in mental health care among marginalized populations have been well‐documented. Without research designed to study interventions for diverse populations, disparities in the quality of services will persist. A systematic review of articles evaluating couple and family therapy (CFT) interventions was conducted to evaluate the representation of diverse populations. More specifically, researchers sought to examine race/ethnicity, sexual o…
Suitability of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support as a measure of functional social support among incarcerated adults with major depressive disorder
The multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) is a 12‐item measure of functional social support (SS); however, the psychometric properties of the MSPSS have not been evaluated in prisoners. We used measures of known‐groups validity, convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability and factor structure to assess the suitability of the MSPSS for measuring SS among 184 individuals in prison in the U.S., who wer…
A Brief Multimedia Intervention for the Transition to Parenthood
Maintaining Relationship Quality During the Transition to Parenthood
Emotion regulation dimensions and relationship satisfaction in clinical couples
The present study explored the relation between the multidimensional construct of emotion regulation and relationship satisfaction in 104 couples seeking couple or family therapy. Satisfaction was assessed via the Dyadic Satisfaction Subscale of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, whereas the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale was used to assess the 6 dimensions of emotion regulation (acceptance, goals, impulse, awareness, strategies, clarity). Si…
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and Play Therapy for Young Children Whose Parents Are Divorced
Divorce is common and can pose risks to those involved. Although divorce affects all parts of the family system, young children face extraneous challenges due to their unique developmental stage and limited cognitive ability. Emotionally focused family therapy (EFFT) works to enhance attachment bonds by restructuring a family’s negative interaction cycle and can be useful for repairing relationships between parents and their children who are suff…
Relationship Problems and Military Related PTSD
Treating Depression in Men
Treating Depression in Men
Unifying human development and family science
Co-Guest editors Ramona Faith Oswald and Anisa Zvonkovic invited us to comment on the article by Dyer (2024) in the special issue, Theorizing Academia: Critical and Futuristic Perspectives. In her article, Dyer, as a faculty member at a highly regarded teaching-focused state university, offers her perspective on how Human Development and Family Science evolved from Home Economics. We agree with many of Dyer's thoughts, but our perspective deviate…
Couple Classes of Depressive Symptom Trajectories and Associations with Relationship Satisfaction
The literature indicates a robust negative relationship between depression and couple relationship satisfaction. However, less is known about the differential effects of romantic relationships on depression over time and whether one or both partners experience depression. Using data from 1215 couples across 4 years, we sought to examine couple classes of depressive symptom trajectories and investigate the degree to which relationship satisfaction…
Suitability of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support as a measure of functional social support among incarcerated adults with major depressive disorder
The multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) is a 12‐item measure of functional social support (SS); however, the psychometric properties of the MSPSS have not been evaluated in prisoners. We used measures of known‐groups validity, convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability and factor structure to assess the suitability of the MSPSS for measuring SS among 184 individuals in prison in the U.S., who wer…
Treating Depression in Men
Relationship Problems and Military Related PTSD
Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and Play Therapy for Young Children Whose Parents Are Divorced
Divorce is common and can pose risks to those involved. Although divorce affects all parts of the family system, young children face extraneous challenges due to their unique developmental stage and limited cognitive ability. Emotionally focused family therapy (EFFT) works to enhance attachment bonds by restructuring a family’s negative interaction cycle and can be useful for repairing relationships between parents and their children who are suff…
Emotion regulation dimensions and relationship satisfaction in clinical couples
The present study explored the relation between the multidimensional construct of emotion regulation and relationship satisfaction in 104 couples seeking couple or family therapy. Satisfaction was assessed via the Dyadic Satisfaction Subscale of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, whereas the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale was used to assess the 6 dimensions of emotion regulation (acceptance, goals, impulse, awareness, strategies, clarity). Si…
Maintaining Relationship Quality During the Transition to Parenthood
A Brief Multimedia Intervention for the Transition to Parenthood
Suitability of the multidimensional scale of perceived social support as a measure of functional social support among incarcerated adults with major depressive disorder
The multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS) is a 12‐item measure of functional social support (SS); however, the psychometric properties of the MSPSS have not been evaluated in prisoners. We used measures of known‐groups validity, convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability and factor structure to assess the suitability of the MSPSS for measuring SS among 184 individuals in prison in the U.S., who wer…
Examining the Role of the Attachment Bond in the Process of Recovering from an Affair
Infidelity is an attachment injury as it shatters basic assumptions about one’s relationship. This study investigated the role of the attachment bond in affair recovery. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with couples (both partners; N = 20) who stayed together after an affair. Thematic analysis revealed important aspects of the recovery process including ongoing communication, intentional bids for closeness, and a commitment to the…
Representation of Diverse Populations in Couple and Family Therapy Intervention Studies
Disparities in mental health care among marginalized populations have been well‐documented. Without research designed to study interventions for diverse populations, disparities in the quality of services will persist. A systematic review of articles evaluating couple and family therapy (CFT) interventions was conducted to evaluate the representation of diverse populations. More specifically, researchers sought to examine race/ethnicity, sexual o…
Exploratory Analysis of Pursue-Withdraw Patterns, Attachment, and Gender among Couples in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported treatment for couples experiencing relationship distress. EFT therapists use the pursue-withdraw cycle to track and attend to couples’ patterns of interaction and attachment behaviors. However, the relationships between pursue-withdraw categorization and gender and attachment in clinical couples are underexplored. We examined the theoretical mechanisms associated with these relationshi…
“Big Brother was Watching Me
Minimal research exists exploring how emotional vulnerability relates to client and therapist identities. This study illustrates findings from a preliminary exploration of (a) the vulnerabilities clients experience when receiving feedback from a reflecting team and (b) the intersection between vulnerability, sexual orientation, and racial-ethnic minority identities. Using the concept of a gem, or an exceptionally significant excerpt in Interpreta…
Recruitment strategies in couple intervention studies
Including diverse participants in couple intervention studies is critical for developing an evidence base that informs best practices for all potential clients. Research has shown that subgroups of clients respond differently to different interventions and that interventions that have been adapted to fit the needs of a given population are more effective than non‐adapted interventions. Unfortunately, couple intervention samples often exclude part…
Session‐to‐session bidirectional associations of alliance with depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction
The relationship between therapeutic alliance and treatment outcomes is one of the most widely studied topics in psychotherapy research. Research has primarily considered a unidirectional model whereby alliance predicts outcomes, which implies that building alliance early in therapy results in later symptom improvement and ignores the possibility that early symptom improvement could also subsequently lead to improved alliance. This study explored…
The therapeutic alliance in couple therapy
The formation and development of the therapeutic alliance in couple therapy is a complex process and a key contributor to positive treatment outcomes. This study explored differences in trajectories of therapeutic alliance by sex and treatment condition among 24 couples randomized to receive Emotionally Focused Therapy or treatment as usual. The results identified a curvilinear growth pattern for alliance across both treatment groups. Female part…
Couple Classes of Depressive Symptom Trajectories and Associations with Relationship Satisfaction
The literature indicates a robust negative relationship between depression and couple relationship satisfaction. However, less is known about the differential effects of romantic relationships on depression over time and whether one or both partners experience depression. Using data from 1215 couples across 4 years, we sought to examine couple classes of depressive symptom trajectories and investigate the degree to which relationship satisfaction…
Exploring associations among baseline emotion regulation and change in relationship satisfaction among couples in a randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy compared to usual care
BACKGROUND: Data from a two-arm randomized controlled trial of emotionally focused therapy (EFT) compared to usual care were used to examine whether baseline emotion regulation influences relationship satisfaction for female and male partners. This is clinically relevant as clinicians have debated whether clients' initial emotion regulation skills predict positive outcomes in EFT. METHODS: Dyadic multilevel modeling was used to determine whether …
The transition to Teletherapy
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is an evidence‐based treatment for relational distress based on experiential, humanistic, and attachment theories. Despite the empirical support for EFT, there are no studies on EFT delivered via teletherapy. In this study, we aimed to understand therapists' experiences delivering EFT through teletherapy using open‐ended questions on a web‐based survey of certified EFT therapists ( n = 69). Reflexive thematic ana…
Developing guidelines on EFT for same‐sex/gender relationships
Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is one of few empirically supported treatments for relationship distress. While evidence‐based approaches are critical for ensuring safe and effective treatment, EFT has not been adapted for use with same‐sex/same‐gender (SS/SG) relationships. This study used the Delphi method to generate consensus on treatment guidelines for using EFT with SS/SG relationships. Forty therapists with clinical expertise in EFT for …
Unifying human development and family science
Co-Guest editors Ramona Faith Oswald and Anisa Zvonkovic invited us to comment on the article by Dyer (2024) in the special issue, Theorizing Academia: Critical and Futuristic Perspectives. In her article, Dyer, as a faculty member at a highly regarded teaching-focused state university, offers her perspective on how Human Development and Family Science evolved from Home Economics. We agree with many of Dyer's thoughts, but our perspective deviate…
Psychology (16 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (12 works) · Clinical Psychology (10 works) · Psychiatry (9 works) · Psychotherapist (8 works) · Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications (6 works) · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development (5 works) · Developmental psychology (5 works) · Medicine (5 works) · Social Psychology (5 works)