Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Research Articles

Predicting longitudinal trajectories of adaptive couple processes in families of autistic children: Applying the Vulnerability Stress Adaptation model

BackgroundMany couples raising an autistic child report long-standing and thriving couple relationships, even within the context of elevated parenting stress. Little is known however, about the factors that promote or hinder adaptive couple processes or how these processes may shift over time. Drawing on the Vulnerability Stress Adaptation (VSA) model, the present study examined adaptive couple problem-solving processes across three years and the extent to which these processes were predicted by parent broader autism phenotype (BAP) and level of parenting stress in couples raising an autistic child. MethodIn total, 189 couples (378 parents) raising an autistic child (aged 5–12 years) completed questionnaires assessing parent BAP and level of parenting stress. Couples also engaged in observed problem-solving interactions at four time points spanning three years. ResultsThe use of adaptive couple problem-solving behaviors (Solution Focused Reciprocity and Positive Teamwork) declined linearly across time. Father BAP predicted greater decline in these adaptive processes (Solution Focused Reciprocity and Positive Teamwork), particularly when mother-reported parenting stress was low. No main effects of parenting stress on change in adaptive couple problem-solving behaviors emerged. ConclusionsFindings highlight the utility of the VSA Model for understanding the short-term longitudinal course of problem-solving behaviors in couples raising an autistic school-aged child. This study can inform efforts to promote healthy and long-lasting couple relationships in this population.

Relationship satisfaction in Black heterosexual couples: The role of self-compassion and openness.

The study examined how Black heterosexual couples cope with the impact of racial discrimination on their relationship. The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation (VSA) model was utilized to examine the role of self-compassion in mitigating negative interaction in the relationship and how racial discrimination might disrupt this protective process. Further, the influence of open communication on the relationship between negative interaction and overall relationship satisfaction was explored. Participants included 210 Black married heterosexual couples. A common-fate moderated mediation model was used to analyze the data. The results indicated that first, higher levels of self-compassion in both spouses were associated with lower negative interaction within the couple's relationship. Second, among wives, the relationship between self-compassion and negative interaction changed in response to higher levels of racial discrimination. Third, couples' negative interaction suppressed the positive effects of self-compassion on overall relationship satisfaction. Fourth, for wives, the level of open communication played a role in the relationship between negative interaction and relationship satisfaction. Fifth, specifically for wives, the extent to which self-compassion was related to relationship satisfaction through negative interaction depended on the level of discrimination perceived by wives and the degree of open communication in their relationships. The findings have implications for clinical work and further research.

Associations Among Emotion Regulation, COVID Stress, Alcohol Use, and Intimate Partner Aggression Among College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Intimate partner aggression (IPA) increased after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model, the current study examined associations among emotion regulation (ER) difficulties (an enduring vulnerability), COVID stress (a current stressor), alcohol use (a maladaptive coping strategy), and physical, psychological, and cyber IPA perpetration during the first eight months of the pandemic. Participants were 215 college students in current relationships from three universities across the US. Results of generalized linear models controlling for pre-COVID IPA perpetration showed a main effect of ER difficulties on physical IPA perpetration (b = .56, p < .001), an ER difficulties X COVID stress X alcohol use interaction on psychological IPA perpetration (b = .01, p = .03), and an ER difficulties X COVID stress interaction on cyber IPA perpetration (b = -.02, p = .02). Specifically, when ER difficulties and alcohol use were low, individuals with high levels of COVID stress were at higher risk of perpetrating psychological IPA relative to individuals with low levels of COVID stress. However, the association between COVID stress and psychological IPA perpetration was not statistically significant when ER difficulties and alcohol use were high. Similarly, when ER difficulties were low, individuals with high levels of COVID stress were at higher risk for perpetrating cyber IPA relative to individuals with low levels of COVID stress. However, when ER difficulties were high, the association between COVID stress and cyber IPA perpetration was not statistically significant. The current findings tentatively implicate COVID stress as a critical correlate of IPA perpetration and suggest that individuals who have fewer existing vulnerabilities (i.e., ER difficulties) and maladaptive processes (i.e., alcohol use) should not be overlooked.

Reciprocal associations between commitment, forgiveness, and different aspects of marital well-being among Chinese newlywed couples.

This study examined the reciprocal prospective associations between commitment, forgiveness, and different aspects of marital well-being (marital satisfaction and marital instability) among Chinese newlywed couples and the gender differences in these associations. The Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model posits reciprocal associations between adaptive processes and relationship satisfaction. However, the directionality of the associations between adaptive processes and marital satisfaction may differ from the associations between adaptive processes and marital instability in Chinese societies due to the emphasis on relationship maintenance. Based on three annual waves of data from 268 Chinese newlywed couples (Mage = 29.59, SD = 3.25 for husbands; Mage = 28.08, SD = 2.51 for wives), a cross-lagged approach was used to examine the reciprocal associations between commitment, forgiveness, and marital satisfaction/instability. We found: (a) reciprocal associations between commitment/forgiveness and marital satisfaction (wives only); (b) reciprocal associations between forgiveness and marital instability (husbands only); and (c) wives' commitment at Wave 2 mediated the association between wives' commitment at Wave 1 and wives' marital satisfaction at Wave 3. Extending the VSA model, findings suggest different reciprocal associations between commitment, forgiveness, and different aspects of marital well-being among Chinese newlywed couples. Results highlight the important role of culture and gender in marital relationships and clinical practice.

How sociocultural contexts may shape the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on couples' relationships

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic continues to affect couples worldwide who vary in sociocultural values, norms, and expectations, but most work examining connections between pandemic‐related stress and couples' relationships has been conducted in the US or similar Western cultures. Guided by the vulnerability‐stress‐adaptation (VSA) model (Karney &amp; Bradbury, 1995), we present a revised theoretical framework for evaluating how sociocultural contexts may moderate the ways in which pandemic‐related stress risks poor couple functioning or promotes couples' resilience. We briefly describe the theoretical model and associated relationship research in the pandemic context and then evaluate how two illustrative sociocultural contexts (country/culture and race/ethnicity) might impact pandemic‐related external (disease risks and stress exposure) and internal (psychological distress and felt belonging) stress and adaptive relationship functioning. Our review reveals that much remains to be learned about how couples embedded in different sociocultural contexts have adapted over the course of the global pandemic and highlights key areas for future research.

Bidirectional or unidirectional? Longitudinal associations between external stressors, perceived spousal support, and marital instability.

Based on three annual waves of data from 268 Chinese newlyweds (Mage = 29.59, SD = 3.25 for husbands; Mage = 28.08, SD = 2.51 for wives), the present study examined the bidirectional associations between external stressors, perceived spousal support, and marital instability by using a three-wave, cross-lagged approach. Results indicated bidirectional associations between external stressors and marital instability, and a unidirectional association linking marital instability to perceived spousal support. Additionally, external stressors at Wave 2 mediated the association between external stressors at Wave 1 and marital instability at Wave 3. Taken together, the present study contributes to an emerging body of research aimed at clarifying: (a) the directionality of the associations between external stressors, perceived spousal support, and marital instability; (b) how external stressors cumulatively affect the development of marital instability. Our study extends the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model and has developmental implications for promoting marital relationships in non-Western couples.

Predicting the Trajectories of Parents’ Relationship Well-Being During COVID-19 Lockdowns and Beyond: a Vulnerability, Stress and Adaptation Model Perspective

Strict lockdowns have been employed by many of the world’s nations as a public health response to COVID-19. However, concerns have been expressed as to how such public health responses disturb the human ecosystem. In this paper, we report on findings from a longitudinal study of Australian parents in which we investigated how state differences in government-mandated lockdowns affect the relationship well-being (i.e., relationship satisfaction and loneliness) of parents. We situated the study of the relational effects of strict lockdowns within the Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Model (VSAM, Karney & Bradbury, 1995) that considers the role of parents’ pre-existing vulnerabilities (i.e., psychological distress and attachment insecurity), life stressors (pre-pandemic and COVID-19 stressors), and adaptive relationship processes (constructive communication and perceived partner support). A total of 1942 parents completed 14 waves of assessments of relationship satisfaction and loneliness over a 13.5-month period as well as baseline assessments of personal vulnerabilities, life stressors, and adaptive relationship processes. Parents with high relationship adaptations and low vulnerabilities evidenced the highest relationship well-being (i.e., high satisfaction and low loneliness) during changes in lockdown restrictions, while parents with moderate relationship adaptations and vulnerabilities experienced the poorest well-being. Differences in state lockdown restrictions (i.e., Victoria [long and strict lockdown policy] vs all other states) were associated with differences in relationship well-being for parents with high relationship adaptations. Specifically, Victorian parents experienced significant declines in relationship well-being compared to non-Victorian parents. Our findings provide novel insights into how government-mandated social restrictions can disrupt the relational ecology of parents.

The psychological mechanism underlying neuroticism on divorce proneness: The chain mediating roles of negative partner support and couple burnout and the moderating role of economic level

BackgroundPrevious studies have found that neuroticism is a significant predictor of divorce proneness. However, how neuroticism affects divorce proneness remains unclear. Based on the vulnerability-stress-adaptation (VSA) model of marriage, this study aimed to explore the psychological mechanism by which neuroticism affects divorce proneness. MethodsA total of 752 Chinese heterosexual married individuals were surveyed by the Neurotic Subscale of the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Negative Subscale of the Dyadic Coping Inventory, the Couple Burnout Measure, the Divorce Proneness Scale, and the Personal Monthly Income Survey. Results(1) Negative partner support and couple burnout played chain mediating roles in the relationship between neuroticism and divorce proneness, which constructed a chain mediating model. (2) Economic level played a moderating role in the relationship between couple burnout and divorce proneness, which was the latter part of the chain mediating model. ConclusionsDivorce proneness can be decreased by perfecting personality traits, reducing negative partner support and couple burnout, and improving the economic level.

Family Relationships Under Work From Home: Exploring the Role of Adaptive Processes.

Work-from-home (WFH) influences both work and life, and further impacts family relationships. The current study explored the impacts of WFH on family relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic and identified effective adaptive processes for maintaining family relationships under WFH. Using the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model, the study examined the roles of adaptive processes (spending time with family members and balancing work and life) and demographic differences (gender, age, marital status, and education level) in the relation between WFH and family relationships. Path analysis results based on an online survey (N = 150) suggested that, overall, WFH improved family relationships through proper adaptive processes. WFH had a positive relation to time spent with family members, and this relation was especially salient for workers with lower education levels. While there was no statistically significant overall relation between WFH and work-life balance, older workers tended to engage in increased work-life balance during WFH. Both adaptive processes were positively related to family relationship quality. The findings advance the understanding of family relationships and WFH and provide practical recommendations to enhance family relationships under WFH.

A Qualitative Exploration on the Impact of Cancer to Adult Relationships: Applying the Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Model within Couples Therapy

Cancer is widely acknowledged to have a reciprocal impact on couples, being referred to as a ‘we disease’. We conducted a qualitative exploration to investigate how the disease impacts heterosexual couples. Data collection comprised of three phases; i) online survey with people living with and beyond cancer and current/former partners; ii) semi-structured interviews with cancer counsellors, and; iii) semi-structured interviews with people living with and beyond cancer and current/former partners. Findings are framed and contextualized using the vulnerability stress adaptation model with recommendations for future research being offered in conclusion.

How far is the reach of personality in relationship functioning during COVID-19? Reply to Pfund and Hill (2022).

Pfund and Hill (2022) suggest that individual resilience factors such as agreeableness and conscientiousness are likely to promote better relationship functioning as couples navigate the pandemic. Although we agree that more fully incorporating individual resilience factors would strengthen our adapted vulnerability-stress-adaptation (VSA) model, neither agreeableness nor conscientiousness reliably predict relationship functioning. In line with the VSA model, we emphasize the importance of a Person × Context approach that examines the potential effects of personality factors within couples' specific situational contexts during and after the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Should I stay or should I go? Evaluating intimate relationship outcomes during the 2020 pandemic shutdown.

Past research suggests that intimate partners respond to major stressors in different ways, sometimes by sticking together and sometimes by splitting up. Couples living through the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States are facing a unique set of stressors and are likely to experience changes in relationship outcomes as a result. The vulnerability–stress–adaptation (VSA) model suggests that relationship stability and relationship satisfaction are related to demographic variables, individual vulnerabilities (i.e., mental health), external stressors (i.e., finances), and relationship processes (i.e., communication patterns). The current study evaluates each of these variables as potential predictors of relationship satisfaction and thoughts of separating from a relationship, with the goal of identifying risk factors for relationship outcomes in the pandemic. A total of 782 adults with cohabitating intimate partners (89.8% White, 84.5% female) were recruited for an online study during the COVID-19 shutdown phase from April 3 through May 22, 2020. Results suggested that higher relationship satisfaction during the shutdown was related to not having children in the home, lower money stress, higher sexual fulfillment, lower relationship invalidation, and higher perceived fairness of relationship power. Higher thoughts of separation were related to younger age, higher verbal aggression, higher relationship invalidation, and lower relationship satisfaction. Overall, findings support the use of the VSA as a model for understanding the effect of pandemic stress on relationships and indicate that relationships are being affected by many aspects of the pandemic. Couples’ support interventions will need to be adapted to adequately promote relationship health in this difficult time. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) © 2021 American Psychological Association

Military couples' childhood experiences and romantic relationship satisfaction: The role of accepting influence.

Although accepting influence (i.e., being open to the influence of others) is considered important for couple relationships, there is a lack of empirical research on the association between accepting influence and relationship satisfaction. Moreover, research has not examined what family experiences may precede one's ability to accept influence in later romantic relationships, although life course theory and the vulnerability stress adaptation model support the notion that stressful childhood experiences may be consequential for accepting influence adaptive processes, which, in turn, can impact relationship satisfaction. This study used dyadic, couple data and an actor partner interdependence model to investigate the associations between stressful childhood experiences, accepting influence, and relationship satisfaction in a sample of 229 military couples (with one male service member and one female civilian spouse) after accounting for elements of their military context (e.g., rank, number of deployments), relationship length, and mental health. The path model also estimated the indirect effects from both partners' stressful childhood experiences to relationship satisfaction through accepting influence. Female spouses' stressful childhood experiences were associated with their perceptions of male partners' accepting influence, which, in turn, was associated with both partners' relationship satisfaction, demonstrating partial mediation. Military couples, as well as other couples in stressful contexts, may benefit from interventions that address how prior family experiences impact current accepting influence processes. Moreover, accepting influence behaviors can be a tool for couples to utilize to mitigate the possible negative consequences of their stressful circumstances on their relationship.

How both partners’ individual differences, stress, and behavior predict change in relationship satisfaction: Extending the VSA model

We pooled data from 10 longitudinal studies of 1,104 married couples to test the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model of change in relationship satisfaction. Studies contained both spouses' self-reports of neuroticism, attachment anxiety, and attachment avoidance; observational measures of engagement and opposition during problem-solving discussions at baseline; and repeated reports of both spouses' stress and marital satisfaction over several years. Consistent with the VSA model, all three individual and partner qualities predicted changes in marital satisfaction that were mediated by observations of behavior and moderated by both partners' experiences with stress. In contrast to the VSA model, however, rather than accentuating the association between individual differences and behavior, both partners' stress moderated the strength, and even direction, of the association between behavior and changes in marital satisfaction over time. Taken together, these findings indicate that 1) qualities of both couple members shape their behavioral exchanges, 2) these behaviors explain how individuals and their partners' enduring qualities predict relationship satisfaction, and 3) stress experienced by both couple members strongly determines how enduring qualities and behavior predict changes in relationship satisfaction over time. The complex interplay among both partners' enduring qualities, stress, and behavior helps explain why studies may fail to document direct main effects of own and partner enduring qualities and behavior on changes in relationship satisfaction over time.

The Impact of Pandemic on Couples With Cancer: Examining the Role of Cancer-Related Communication on Cancer-Related Distress Via the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model.

The present study draws attention to the significance of considering cancer-related communication on cancer-related distress through the vulnerability–stress–adaptation model among couples with cancer during the pandemic. This is a quantitative dyadic study with a sample of 80 couples (N = 160). Dyadic data were analyzed among couples with cancer to examine the within-person (actor effects) and between-partner (partner effects) associations among links between cancer-related communication and cancer-related distress through the use of actor–partner interdependence models. Significant actor and partner effects were found for cancer-related communication in partners facing cancer, a factor that predicted cancer-related distress. The findings underscore the need to adopt a systemic perspective that accounts for multiple, simultaneous adaptive processes including cancer-related communication as influences on cancer-related distress in the time of COVID-19.

청소년의 초기부적응도식이 학교스트레스에 미치는 영향

This study was conducted between adolescent’s early maladaptive schema and school stress, accordingly to verify how adaptation to school life is mediated. By verifying the correlation of these variables. It aimed to raise up active interest in adaptation to adolescent’s school life. To achieve the purpose of this study, initial maladaptive schema, an independent variable, was considered as a predictive factor. Meanwhile, school stress, dependent variable, was considered as a criterion factor. Therefore, school adaptation, a mediator variable and set up Karney &amp; Bradbury’s Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) Model. To this, 400 high school students in the Gyeongnam province were asked to fill the questionnaires and the collected data were statistically analyzed using SPSS and Amos 21. In summary, first, the higher the maladaptation is, the higher the stress is and the lower the adaptation to school life is. Second, the higher the adaptation to school life is, the lower the school stress is. Third, it was found that the early maladaptive schema had an indirect effect on school stress through adaptation to school life. The necessity of a strategy was suggested to manage school stress and the early maladaptive schema as major factor in school counseling for adaptation. Therefore, in this study, we discussed the significance and restrictions and the direction for subsequent studies.

Dyadic Function of Couples with Cancer: A Review

This paper provides an in-depth literature review on the dyadic function of couples with cancer. Specifically, the literature review will explore: (a) the impact of cancer on romantic relationship quality and stability, (b) the biopsychosocial-spiritual correlates of cancer and their connections to romantic relationship quality and stability, and (c) the recommendations for future study and implications for couple therapists working with couples facing cancer. Additionally, we present a detailed examination of relevant theoretical foundations for working with couples with cancer. First, the biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) framework, and second, the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation (VSA) model, are examined. Combined, these two theoretical approaches offer a comprehensive foundation for examining the relationships of romantic couples with cancer. The paper concludes with recommendations and implications for couple therapists, with the hope of helping couples with cancer find higher levels of quality and stability in their romantic relationships.

Applying the Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Model of Marriage to Couples Raising an Autistic Child: A Call for Research on Adaptive Processes.

Parents of childrenon the autism spectrum are particularly susceptible to strain in their romantic relationships due to unique risk factors. While some relationships deteriorate, however, others endure and thrive. The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation (VSA) Model of Marriage (Karney & Bradbury, 1995; Fig. 1) offers a framework to explain, not only poor marital outcomes, but also the process by which degradation of relationships occurs over time. The VSA Model posits that a combination of internal (within-person) vulnerabilities and external stressors influence relationship quality and, in turn, stability, by affecting couples' abilities to collaborate to adapt to stressors and solve problems (i.e., adaptive processes). With robust theoretical grounding, this review comprehensively summarizes and integrates literature pertaining to the romantic relationships of couples raising an autistic child through the lens of the VSA Model. Vulnerabilities, stressors, and adaptive processes relevant to these couples are identified, and empirical evidence pertaining to the proposed pathways in the VSA Model is explored. The body of research reviewed provides support for many of the proposed pathways in the VSA Model, especially related to certain stressors (i.e., child behavior problems) and vulnerabilities (i.e., parent depression), yet it falls short in exploring mechanisms by which these factors beget marital dysfunction (i.e., through adaptive processes). Additional gaps and methodological limitations in the literature are highlighted, and recommendations for future research are provided.

Using a vulnerability-stress-adaptation framework to model intimate partner violence risk factors in late life: A systematic review

Abstract Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent among romantic dyads. While rates decline as couples age, a significant number of couples continue to experience IPV. Given the detrimental effect of IPV on intrapersonal and interpersonal functioning, the current systematic review aimed to identify risk factors among older adult couples. Further, this paper aimed to apply a well-validated framework for understanding marital quality and IPV, the Vulnerability Stress Adaptation (VSA) model, to aggression among older adults. Using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses standards, results demonstrated that low socioeconomic status, cognitive impairment, caregiver burden, psychological distress, and social isolation are key risk factors IPV among older adults. These, and other risk factors, are conceptualized using the VSA model.

Couple Similarity on Personality, Moral Identity and Spirituality Predict Life Satisfaction of Spouses and Their Offspring

This study examined the effects of couple similarity on spouses’ and children’s life satisfaction using a large representative sample of 1761 participants (587 married couples and their children). Drawing on the stimulus–value–role theory demonstrating couple similarities in different domains, similarities on personality and value (moral identity and spirituality) was investigated. Based on evolutionary perspectives and the vulnerability–stress–adaptation model of marriage, we hypothesized that couple similarities in these domains are associated with spouses’ life satisfaction. We further proposed that couple similarities may be beneficial for offspring’s well-being. The Actor–Partner Interdependence Model was used to test the independent contribution of couple similarity. The PROCESS macro Model 4 was used to test the direct and indirect effects of similarity on children’s life satisfaction. The results showed (1) Similarity on agreeableness, openness, moral identity, and spirituality contributed to spouses’ life satisfaction after controlling for actor effects, partner effects, and Normative-Desirability Confound; (2) Similarity on moral identity had indirect effect on children’s life satisfaction through fathers’ life satisfaction, and similarity on spirituality had not only a direct effect on children’s life satisfaction but also an indirect effect through fathers’ life satisfaction. These findings are consistent with evolutionary perspectives that positive assortment can enhance reproductive fitness through improved marital functioning. This study also provides support for the vulnerability–stress–adaptation model of marriage, suggesting that couple similarity may serve as enduring strengths that promote adaptive processes in marital relationships.