Skip to main content
ABCT 2024 58th Annual Convention Main banner
Psychology Tools Ad
Final Program


Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Presentation Icons
Recorded Session
Recorded Session
Ticketed Session
Ticketed Session
Back

Treatment - Other

(PS14-92) Exploring Stressors and Coping Methods of Men and Women in a Relationship Abuse Intervention Program

Sunday, November 17, 2024
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM EST
Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown
Abstract Text: The impact of external stress on couples’ relationship quality has received much attention from researchers studying “normative” relationships, but less attention in research on populations receiving services for intimate partner violence perpetration. Stress spillover, where stress resulting from a context outside a couple’s relationship makes its way into the relationship, has been linked to a variety of negative relationship outcomes, and may be an important factor to consider for individuals participating in a Relationship Abuse Intervention Program (AIP). The goal of the current study was to explore the external stressors that AIP participants in an urban environment face along with the coping methods they use to deal with them, and how these relate to the type and severity of conflicts experienced in their current or most recent relationship. A mixed-methods design (N = 621) was used to explore intake assessment data collected by AIP staff members. Participants provided qualitative responses about their most common stressors and coping methods and quantitative ratings on the Relationship Problems Scale, which assesses the severity of conflict across twenty possible problem areas. Most participants identified as male (85%) and Black (80%). Their most cited stressors were legal issues (30%) and work (30%) followed by interpersonal relationships with individuals other than the current or ex-partner (28%). Coping methods were analyzed on a broad level distinguishing between avoidant, self-sufficient, and socially-supported coping, and on a more specific level utilizing categories derived from the COPE Inventory. Of the broader coping methods, avoidant coping was the most cited (56%) followed by self-sufficient coping (21%) and socially-supported coping (19%). Of the more specific categories, mental disengagement (44%), social support (18%), and substance use (15%) were the most cited. Comparison to quantitative ratings of relationship problems identified very limited correspondence between the stress that individuals experience outside their intimate relationships and the disputes occurring in them. Many associations were found between a stressor and a non-corresponding relationship problem, however. A few stressors were also related to overall relationship problem severity including stress from interpersonal relationships with individuals other than a current or ex-partner (r(619) = .11, p = .009) and housing stress (r(619)= .08, p = .039). Lastly, associations between the coping methods individuals use and their relationship problems were evaluated. Seeking social support was associated with disputes about family (r(619) = .08, p = .041). Avoidant coping was also associated with communication problems (r(619) = .12, p = .003) and jealousy problems (r(619) = -.09, p = .030). Coping methods assessed through open-ended questions were not related to the overall severity of relationship problems. These findings help situate AIP participants’ relationship conflicts within the broader context of stress and coping in their lives and can inform improvements to AIPs that consider the whole person and not just their relationship conflicts.