Ricky Finzi-Dottan - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ricky Finzi-Dottan

Marriage and Family Review, Oct 3, 2018

The study examined whether differences in gender and family status affect parental caregiving dis... more The study examined whether differences in gender and family status affect parental caregiving disposition and acceptance of children among parents of children in mid-childhood. The number of participants were 122 divorced-custodial fathers, 107 married fathers, 85 divorced-custodial mothers, and 82 married mothers (n ¼ 398). A comparison among four groups of parents revealed the following gender differences: mothers scored higher on anxious caregiving and parental acceptance than fathers, and lower on avoidant caregiving. Regression analysis indicated that the higher the caregiving avoidance or anxiety, the lower the parental acceptance. Family status moderated parental acceptance, as avoidant caregiving was associated with reduced parental acceptance among married parents, but not among divorced custodial parents. The finding that avoidant caregiving was not associated with reduced acceptance among divorced custodial parents implies that their parental acceptance behaviors toward their children are affected by their parental status as sole custodial parent, and the associated responsibilities, rather than by gender.

Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 2019

Paternal involvement and acceptance were compared among 218 custodial divorced fathers, 222 marri... more Paternal involvement and acceptance were compared among 218 custodial divorced fathers, 222 married fathers, and 105 noncustodial divorced fathers. The predictors examined were narcissistic traits and caregiving behaviors, with coparental cooperation and child characteristics as moderators. Results indicated that compared with married and noncustodial fathers, custodial fathers were more involved with their children, cooperated less with their children’s mothers, and viewed their children as being difficult. The interactions underscore the uniqueness of custodial fathers: Unlike married and noncustodial divorced fathers, custodial fathers were more accepting of their children, regardless of their avoidant caregiving. Coparental cooperation and narcissistic traits were associated with the greater involvement of noncustodial fathers compared with custodial fathers. In addition, child difficulty moderated the association between acceptance and narcissistic traits.

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Oct 8, 2012

This study examined the individual and joint relationships of mature and immature defense mechani... more This study examined the individual and joint relationships of mature and immature defense mechanisms and the use of negotiation as a conflict resolution strategy with the co-parenting of divorcing couples. The responses of 71 divorcing couples to the study questionnaires were analyzed using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. Findings showed that both conscious use of negotiation and unconscious use of mature defense mechanisms for the purpose of conflict resolution were associated with the co-parenting of those parents who possessed these qualities, and that where one parent used mature defense mechanisms, the other participated more in his or her children’s lives and showed more cooperation. Almost all actor effects were forms of increased participation in the children’s lives. The lack of partner effects in the case of immature defense mechanisms and positive use of negotiation was discussed, and clinical implications were presented.

Family Relations, Nov 4, 2014

ABSTRACT This qualitative study examines the fatherhood experience of 20 divorced men who are rai... more ABSTRACT This qualitative study examines the fatherhood experience of 20 divorced men who are raising children on their own. The findings were gathered from semistructured in-depth interviews. The interviewees' depictions revealed a process of making place for oneself in a multiparticipant arena facing social systems, the mother of the children, and the children themselves. The main findings concern the circumstances of single fatherhood: a constraint and a choice stemming from the mother's incapacity, the nature of the relationships created between mother and children and between father and mother, and the burden and pleasure contained within single parenthood. The discussion looks at the findings through the prism of Baxter and Montgomery's (1996) dialectic theory. It sheds light on the ongoing, contrast-filled process of establishing a perception of fatherhood, and the experiences of divorced fathers raising their children on their own.

Journal of Child and Family Studies, Nov 23, 2012

ABSTRACT The present study seeks to identify parental communication and cooperation as predictors... more ABSTRACT The present study seeks to identify parental communication and cooperation as predictors of successful co-parenting in Israel during the divorce process. Self-report questionnaires assessing three types of predictors (parent personality characteristics, social and contextual factors and child characteristics) were completed by 123 divorcing mothers and 94 divorcing fathers. Two stepwise hierarchical regressions, one for parental communication and one for cooperation, showed that gender (female) and use of negotiation to resolve conflicts were the major predictors of both. These variables affected co-parenting both independently and in interaction with the personality characteristics of defense mechanism use and optimism. The differential contributions support the hypothesis of communication and cooperation as separate components of successful co-parenting, and the value of studying both. Clinically, these findings may be used to help improve co-parenting during divorce.

Routledge eBooks, Nov 9, 2018

The present study examined predictors of siblings&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp... more The present study examined predictors of siblings&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; relations in 202 young adults (aged 21-32 years), who completed the Adult Sibling Relationship Questionnaire and the Narcissistic Personality Inventory. Results indicate that warmth between siblings is explained by gender (with women feeling closer), perceived paternal favoritism, low levels of narcissism, and an interaction suggesting that paternal favoritism moderates the link between narcissism and sibling warmth. Conflict between siblings was explained by gender (sisters), age, parental favoritism, high levels of narcissism, extreme levels of similarity or dissimilarity between siblings, and interactions indicating that older age is a predictor of conflict between siblings among women but not among men. The impact of parental favoritism and narcissism on sibling relationships in young adulthood was discussed.

Journal of Sex Research, Feb 6, 2017

The mediating effect of sexual motives between attachment orientation and sexual satisfaction and... more The mediating effect of sexual motives between attachment orientation and sexual satisfaction and functioning was investigated among 128 couples (N = 256) using the actor-partner interdependence model (Campbell & Kashy, 2002). Actor effects between attachment orientation and sexual satisfaction and functioning, mediated by sexual motives, were found regarding men's sexual satisfaction, sexual intimacy, and orgasmic responsivity. Partner effect revealed two significant paths in which the greater the women's attachment avoidance, the lower the partners' intimacy motivation, which in turn was linked with lower partners' sexual satisfaction and increased lack of sexual intimacy. The analyses did not reveal significant mediation paths affecting women's sexual satisfaction and functioning. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing a dyadic perspective on sexuality within practice. Recommendations for further research and additional clinical implications are discussed.

Journal of Family Psychology

The Family Journal

From the lens of Bowen's systemic family theory, this study employed the actor–partner interd... more From the lens of Bowen's systemic family theory, this study employed the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) to investigate the mediating effect fear of intimacy has on the association between self-differentiating and both partners’ relationship satisfaction. One hundred and forty-four non-clinical married couples ( N = 288) in enduring relationships were recruited. Results for actor effects revealed two mediating paths whereby, among both partners, self-differentiation was associated with their relationship satisfaction via fear of intimacy. Partner effect revealed that wives’ higher self-differentiation was associated with their lower fear of intimacy, which was linked, in turn, to husbands’ higher relationship satisfaction; unlike husbands’ fear of intimacy, which had no effect. Our results support Bowen's theoretical assumptions positing that self-differentiation indicates the ability for intimacy, which affects couple relationship satisfaction. Interestingly, the...

Early Child Development and Care, 2022

Personality Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment, 2021

The aim of this study is to examine the differential implications of grandiose and vulnerable nar... more The aim of this study is to examine the differential implications of grandiose and vulnerable narcissism for women's adjustment during the transition to motherhood. A total of 385 Israeli women participated in the study during their pregnancy (Time 1) and 2 months postpartum (Time 2). Participants filled out a battery of questionnaires assessing their levels of narcissism (Time 1), the body experience during pregnancy (Time 1) and motherhood (Time 2), their attachment to the fetus (Time 1) and to the baby (Time 2), their anticipated maternal self-efficacy (Time 1) and maternal self-efficacy (Time 2), and their subjective well-being (Time 2). Results suggest that grandiose narcissism was associated with higher levels of well-being at Time 2 through the mediation of both attachment to the infant at Time 1 and bonding to the baby at Time 2 and through positive body experience at Time 2. Vulnerable narcissism was associated with lower levels of well-being at Time 2 through the mediation of body experience and maternal self-efficacy at Time 1 and Time 2 and attachment to the infant at Time 2. These findings point to the significant and differential role of vulnerable and grandiose narcissism in the adjustment to motherhood through the mediating role of early motherhood tasks. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 2021

OBJECTIVE The study seeks to examine the psychological maladjustment of children who are exposed ... more OBJECTIVE The study seeks to examine the psychological maladjustment of children who are exposed to continuous terror attacks. It is hypothesized that maternal posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may hinder mothers' sensitive and responsive caregiving, reflective functioning, and viewing of her child (as "difficult"), which can subsequently negatively impact their children's psychological adjustment. METHOD A cohort of 235 mother-child dyads participated in the study. The children's (aged 7-11; 43% boys) psychological maladjustment was assessed by the PAQ. The mothers completed the DSM-5 checklist for PTSD, Caregiving System Functioning scale, Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire, and Difficult Child scale. RESULTS High levels of maternal PTSD, high scores of avoidant caregiving, and low reflective functioning of the mother predicted the child's psychological maladjustment. Maternal levels of PTSD moderated the associations between maternal avoidant caregiving and reflection, and child's maladjustment, whereas perceiving the child as difficult moderated the association between maternal reflection and child maladjustment. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that, to enhance the psychological adjustment of children confronted with stressful life situations, their mothers must be able to process their traumatizing experiences, or else they may struggle to provide their children with emotional regulation and support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2021

The actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) was employed in this study to investigate the medi... more The actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) was employed in this study to investigate the mediating effect self-differentiation and spousal caregiving have on the relationship between recollection of parental care and acceptance and couple satisfaction. One hundred and forty-four non-clinical couples (N = 288) in enduring relationships were recruited. Results for actor effects revealed two mediating paths whereby, among both partners, recollection of maternal (but not paternal) acceptance was associated with their self-differentiation and responsive spousal caregiving, which, in turn, were linked to their spousal relationship satisfaction. Partner effects revealed three mediating paths: for both partners, recollection of childhood maternal acceptance was associated with responsive caregiving, which, in turn, was linked with their partner’s relationship satisfaction. Interestingly, the husbands’ recollection of maternal acceptance was associated with their partners’ responsive spo...

Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2019

Objectives Grounded in Attachment Theory core conceptualization, maternal caregiving system, and ... more Objectives Grounded in Attachment Theory core conceptualization, maternal caregiving system, and reflective functioning this study aimed at examining whether maternal mental state and dispositions translate to how mothers play with their children. Methods This study utilized an explanatory sequential mixed-method design consisting of qualitative approach and a quantitative cross-sectional design to explore maternal caregiving, reflective functioning, and support provided to child during joint play at the home environment. Seventy mother-child dyads were sampled for the quantitative phase. Measures used: Caregiving System Function scale, Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire, and an observation scale, Parent/Caregiver Support of Child's Playfulness to asses 15-min video recording of joint play. Next, twenty observations were selected for the qualitative analysis. Results Maternal avoidant caregiving predicted reflective functioning, R 2 = 0.15, β = −0.038. Anxious caregiving predicted rumination tendency, R 2 = 0.16, β = 0.41. Reflective functioning predicted maternal support during joint play, R 2 = 0.27, β = 0.27. Maternal caregiving dispositions predicated reflective functioning, which in turn predicted maternal support of child playfulness during joint play. From the qualitative analysis, of a subset of 20 dyads, the Balancing of task-oriented and process-oriented behaviors framework emerged and deepened our understanding of joint play experience during middle childhood period. Conclusions Mothers who demonstrated enhanced support of their child's playfulness demonstrated higher reflective functioning. Researchers, as well as clinicians, can use the proposed framework to explore maternal support and parental dispositions and its effect on child's and dyadic behaviors.

Journal of Family Issues, 2018

Based on Belsky’s model of parenting determinants, paternal involvement and acceptance were compa... more Based on Belsky’s model of parenting determinants, paternal involvement and acceptance were compared among 134 ultraorthodox Jewish fathers and 144 secular Jewish fathers. The predictors examined were experiences of care and control from own fathers, perceived parental competence, and social support and child characteristics as moderators. Results show that, although the two groups of fathers did not differ in their involvement with and acceptance of their children, experiences of care and control from own fathers had affected their paternal practices differently—yielding greater power among the ultraorthodox fathers. Finally, child difficulty moderated the link between perceived paternal competence and paternal involvement, as well as between experiences of control of own father and paternal acceptance. The findings were discussed in within the cultural context of the ultraorthodox family.

Traumatology, 2018

The study examines the effect of self-differentiation, professional self-esteem, and traumatic li... more The study examines the effect of self-differentiation, professional self-esteem, and traumatic life events on compassion fatigue (composed of secondary traumatization and burnout) and compassion satisfaction, and their spillover on the marital quality of social workers. A total of 202 social workers completed 7 self-report questionnaires. This study uses a structural equation model that largely confirmed the mediation model, indicating that work-family spillover mediated between both secondary traumatization and burnout and marital quality, whereas compassion satisfaction directly affected marital quality. Programs are recommended to sharpen social workers' work-family boundaries so as to reduce their vulnerability to secondary traumatization and burnout.

Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2017

Research evidence indicates that a childhood history of maltreatment affects parental behaviors i... more Research evidence indicates that a childhood history of maltreatment affects parental behaviors in adulthood. The aim of the study was to investigate the predictors for parental behaviors among individuals who reported a history of maltreatment. The current study investigated whether attachment styles, emotional regulation and cognitive appraisals of parenting predicted parental behaviors (positive vs. negative). The study also investigated the differential effects of abuse experiences in childhood (physical, sexual, emotional, and neglect) on parental behaviors. The participants were 213 high-risk Jewish and Arab parents of children aged six and under. Participants completed five self-report questionnaires assessing parental behaviors, childhood experiences of abuse and neglect, attachment styles, emotional regulation, and cognitive appraisal of parenthood. The regression analyses revealed that personal attributes such as ethnicity, childhood experience of emotional abuse/neglect, emotional regulation, and appraisal of parenting, predict negative parental behavior. Anxious attachment and childhood emotional abuse and neglect moderated the impact of parenthood appraisal on parenting behaviors. Although physical and sexual abuse had the highest impact on insecure attachment, emotional abuse/neglect had higher predictive power for non-positive parenting. Clinical interventions for improving the capacity for emotional regulation and parent-child relational skills are suggested.

Community Mental Health Journal, 2016

This study compares the levels and predictors of paternal warmth and involvement of 69 fathers wi... more This study compares the levels and predictors of paternal warmth and involvement of 69 fathers with serious mental illness (SMI) and 69 matched non-clinical (NC) fathers in Israel. Findings show that the NC fathers were more involved with their children, whereas the SMI fathers reported more warmth and perceived their children as less difficult. The interactions that were found in the regression analyses highlight the differences between the two groups. Among the SMI fathers, but not the NC fathers, higher paternal self-efficacy was associated with increased father involvement, and lower family support was associated with decreased warmth.

Marriage & Family Review, 2016

ABSTRACT Paternal involvement and acceptance were compared among 218 custodial fathers, 222 marri... more ABSTRACT Paternal involvement and acceptance were compared among 218 custodial fathers, 222 married fathers, and 105 divorced noncustodial fathers. Findings show that the custodial fathers were more involved with their children, coordinated less with their children’s mother, and viewed their children as more difficult than the other fathers. Two regression analyses were conducted. One revealed that greater paternal involvement was predicted by greater self-differentiation, greater sense of having received care from one’s own father, and a less avoidant caregiving disposition. The other showed that greater paternal acceptance was predicted by greater self-differentiation, greater sense of having received care from one’s own father, and a less anxious caregiving disposition. Finally, the findings show that coparenting, social support, and sense of the child as difficult moderated the associations between the fathers’ personal variables and their involvement, but not their acceptance.

Journal of Social Service Research, 2016

ABSTRACT We examine resources that might moderate the effect of compassion fatigue (consisting of... more ABSTRACT We examine resources that might moderate the effect of compassion fatigue (consisting of secondary traumatization, burnout, and compassion satisfaction) on the quality of social workers' married lives in Israel. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, we examined the moderating role of traumatic life events (contextual resources) and of self-differentiation and professional self-esteem (personality and professional resources) on compassion fatigue and on its spillover into marital quality. Two hundred two (n = 202) social workers completed 7 self-report questionnaires. Results indicated that high compassion satisfaction and professional self-esteem contributed to the participants' marital quality. Self-differentiation moderated the effect of secondary traumatization, and professional self-esteem moderated the effect of burnout on their marital quality. Whereas personal traumatic life events mitigated the effect of secondary traumatization on marital quality, family traumatic life events intensified the effect of spillover on marital quality. Since social workers deal with highly stressed populations in difficult life situations, programs are recommended to enhance social workers' professional self-esteem so as to reduce their vulnerability to secondary traumatization and burnout. Also recommended are workshops to sharpen their work−family boundaries. Future research to examine the effectiveness of different types of programs in enhancing compassion satisfaction is urged.