Marie-France Lafontaine

University of Ottawa · School of Psychology

After experiencing a relational transgression, individuals may not forgive their partner. However, unforgiveness may prove detrimental to relationship functioning for both partners, and even more so when combined with individual and relational risk factors. This study examined the associations between unforgiveness dimensions (cognitive‐evaluative,...

Although many challenges inherent to the birth of a first child are likely to interfere with new parent couples’ sexuality, sexual well-being has often been neglected during the transition to parenthood. Considering the numerous uncertainties arising in this period, it is relevant to study whether first-time parents’ intolerance of uncertainty coul...

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples is an empirically supported approach to couple therapy, with extensive outcome and process research. The main area in which EFT needs to receive additional empirical support is cross-cultural validity. The E(f)FECTS Study (Emotionally FocusEd Couple Therapy in Spanish) is the first Randomized Clinical T...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue associated with numerous deleterious outcomes. Previous studies highlighted the relevance of documenting psychological predictors of IPV to identify prevention strategies. This study examined the links between anxious and depressive symptomatology and perpetrated physical, psychologic...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem, associated with considerable consequences for the victims. Among the risk factors associated with the perpetration of male IPV, attachment insecurities (avoidance, anxiety) and affect dysregulation (AD) have received strong empirical support. A few studies showed that hostility towar...

Background Genitopelvic pain following childbirth is common and likely to challenge the psychological, relational, and sexual well-being of new mothers. While genitopelvic pain generally decreases during the postpartum period, personal and interpersonal characteristics may explain why genitopelvic pain persists beyond the period of physical recover...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetrated by men has been associated with men’s hostility toward women (HTW). However, no study that has examined HTW has considered every main form of IPV as well as the severity of the acts perpetrated. The purpose of the present study was to identify distinct profiles of IPV perpetration based on the severity of...

It is well known that parenthood can be particularly stressful. However, less is known about the stability of parenting stress across children's developmental periods. Certain correlates to parenting stress, such as coparenting support between parents, also appear to play a crucial role in childrearing. The current study aims to shed light on the l...

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant psychological distress worldwide. It is important to enhance our understanding of the interpersonal and intrapersonal processes that can be addressed to promote psychological well-being after experiencing an adverse event like a pandemic. Therefore, to understand the direct and indirect associations betw...

The transition to parenthood (TTP) is an exciting yet destabilizing time for couples. First-time parents may experience changes in their sexual satisfaction during the TTP, but little is known about the factors associated with these changes. Romantic attachment might help understand why some new parents experience a decrease in sexual satisfaction...

Having limited access to effective emotion regulation (ER) strategies, a construct commonly measured using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz & Roemer, 2004), has been found to be strongly linked with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, the mechanisms that explain this association need more in-depth exploration. In this...

This study examined direct and indirect links among attachment insecurities (anxiety, avoidance) and sexual satisfaction through sexual motives in couples expecting their first child. A sample of 204 first-time pregnant couples completed online questionnaires. Dyadic path analyses revealed that attachment and sexual satisfaction were not directly a...

An attachment injury can occur when one partner violates the assumption that they will provide comfort and caring during a moment of increased need. For injured partners, unresolved attachment injuries can underlie an enduring stress reaction and lower relationship satisfaction. However, no research has examined the associations between the perceiv...

Au Canada, les tentatives de suicide et les idées suicidaires sont particulièrement fréquentes chez les hommes. Selon la théorie interpersonnelle du suicide, les facteurs liés aux idées et aux tentatives suicidaires seraient distincts. Cette étude avait pour but d’identifier les variables associées aux idées suicidaires, aux tentatives suicidaires...

Purpose Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a problematic and important social phenomenon (World Health Organization [WHO], 2021) that has been repeatedly linked to attachment insecurities (Velotti et al., 2020). However, the mechanisms linking these two variables remain understudied. This study examines the direct and indirect associations between...

Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) is an empirically validated couples therapy model proven to improve relationship quality (Beasley and Ager 2019; Wiebe and Johnson 2016; Wood et al. 2005). This model, in addition to being effective in intervening at the relational level, also seems to have the potential to have a positive impact on other areas rel...

Past research has emphasized the need to identify profiles of men who perpetrate intimate partner violence (IPV) as a way to better understand this heterogeneous population and guide the development of tailored services. However, empirical validation for such profiles remains limited, since it still focuses on specific populations or fails to consi...

Mothers and fathers who experience parenting stress are more likely to show symptoms of distress, such as elevated levels of anxiety and/or depression. Identifying the buffering or exacerbating factors that might moderate the association between parenting stress and general distress can help inform theoretical models aimed at better understanding t...

The development of profiles of individuals’ use of intimate partner aggression based on similarities in traits allows for the customization of psychological treatment, which can increase successful therapeutic outcomes and enhance cost-effective practices. Among the existent typologies of partner aggression, none, to our knowledge, has focused on s...

The development of profiles of individuals' use of intimate partner aggression based on similarities in traits allows for the customization of psychological treatment, which can increase successful therapeutic outcomes and enhance cost-effective practices. Among the existent typologies of partner aggression, none, to our knowledge, has focused on s...

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent among university students, yet risk models for NSSI are rarely contextualized to the experiences of university students. The current study explored a risk model for NSSI among university students, with a focus on parent-child relational risk factors and intrapersonal vulnerabilities likely to be heighten...

Following the global outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, individuals report psychological distress associated with the “new normal”—social distancing, financial hardships, and increased responsibilities while working from home. Given the interpersonal nature of stress and coping responses between romantic partners, based on the systemic transac�tio...

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a complex and multifactorial public health problem associated with important physical and psychological repercussions. Recent studies suggest that cumulative childhood trauma (CCT) may be related to higher IPV perpetration through dysfunctional communication patterns, but to our knowledge, no study has tested this...

Background: Couple relationship distress is common and associated with poor physical, psychological, relational outcomes for both partners. Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples (EFT) is a short-term structured approach based on attachment theory that integrates a humanistic, experiential approach to restructuring emotional experience and a syste...

Early romantic relationships are salient to the development of healthy future relationships. Yet, little is known about the evolution of romantic relationships of emerging adults since most of the research has been conducted on married or well-established couples. The current study aims to examine how relationship satisfaction and negative communic...

Se sentir satisfait de sa relation et communiquer efficacement avec son partenaire sont deux éléments importants pour les couples engagés dans une relation amoureuse et les cliniciens qui travaillent avec ces couples. Ainsi, des décennies de recherches ont été consacrées à la compréhension de l’influence de la communication sur la satisfaction rela...

Very little is known in Haiti and the Caribbean regarding child and lifetime sexual victimization. Using a nationally representative sample of adolescents and young adults aged 15-24, this study aimed to document the prevalence, risk factors and mental health correlates of lifetime and child sexual violence in Haiti. A national cross-sectional surr...

Background Studies examining both victimization and perpetration of dating violence among both women and men are virtually non-existent in Haiti. This study aimed to document the prevalence and factors associated with victimization and perpetration of dating violence (DV) among adolescents and young adults aged 15–24 years in Haiti. Participants a...

Despite an increase in research initiatives and prevention campaigns, intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health problem that affects many victims worldwide. The current study aims to examine whether psychological distress symptoms (anger, depression, and anxiety) are indirectly related to the perpetration of IPV (physical assault, psy...

Despite an increase in research initiatives and prevention campaigns, intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health problem that affects many victims worldwide. The current study aims to examine whether psychological distress symptoms (anger, depression, and anxiety) are indirectly related to the perpetration of IPV (physical assault, psy...

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) have both been associated with numerous negative repercussions. The first aim of this study is to understand IPV perpetrated by men within a clinical population, by examining the effects of two potential predictors: CSA and dyadic empathy (cognitive and emotional). The second aim of t...

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) have both been associated with numerous negative repercussions. The first aim of this study is to understand IPV perpetrated by men within a clinical population, by examining the effects of two potential predictors: CSA and dyadic empathy (cognitive and emotional). The second aim of t...

We examined the associations between stress and support seeking or providing in couples during a stressful situation, as well as the moderating role of hyperactivation and deactivation of the attachment and caregiving systems. One hundred nine couples completed questionnaires and participated in an in-laboratory situation aiming to induce stress. S...

Few studies have simultaneously looked at the relative contribution of positive and negative behaviors to understand relationship outcomes. This study examined the relative roles of perceived partner support and psychological aggression in two relationship outcomes—relationship satisfaction and the willingness to invest in the relationship—as well...

The attachment theory has commonly been used to examine intimate partner psychological aggression (IPPA), but few studies have examined its association with self-reported justifications for one's own use of IPPA. Behaviors, including the use of IPPA, are influenced, maintained, and function within the context of their justifications, highlighting t...

Following the global outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, individuals report psychological distress associated with the “new normal”—social distancing, financial hardships, and increased responsibilities while working from home. Given the interpersonal nature of stress and coping responses between romantic partners, based on the systemic transaction...

For several decades, attempts have been made to understand the risk markers of intimate partner violence (IPV) to prevent its occurrence, but few studies have emphasized both partners' perspective in examining these markers. This study explored the associations between attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) and the perpetration of psychologi...

Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) is well-established as an effective therapy in helping couples with a variety of presenting problems. However, this research has taken place almost exclusively with English speakers in the US and Canada. Despite Spanish being the second most spoken language in the world, there is little to no research which...

This study examined whether attachment predicts changes in commitment and whether commitment predicts changes in attachment in both partners during the transition to parenthood. Both partners of 93 couples completed online questionnaires individually at the second trimester of pregnancy and at 4 months postpartum. Autoregressive cross-lagged path a...

Introduction The interpersonal context of an individual struggling with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is of critical importance. Objective The purpose of the current study is to offer, through a dyadic perspective, a unique portrait of the relevant indicators of romantic relationship functioning (i.e., romantic attachment, dyadic trust, dyadic c...

Introduction Expecting a first child is a challenging period for relationship partners, especially in regard to their sex life. In fact, sexual satisfaction can diminish for most pregnant couples. Objective This research aimed to explore the associations between attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) and sexual satisfaction through relation...

L’expérience d’agression sexuelle dans l’enfance (ASE) ou de violence familiale augmenterait la probabilité d’émettre des gestes de violence conjugale à l’âge adulte (Fang & Corso, 2008; Jose & O’Leary, 2009). Or, il s’avère crucial de comprendre les mécanismes explicatifs de ces liens. La capacité à être empathique est examinée dans cette étude, e...

More research is needed to understand the different vulnerability profiles of university students who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). This study sought to classify university students (n = 479; 83.8% female) aged 17–25 years (M = 18.77; SD = 1.42) who had engaged in NSSI within the past year into latent profiles based on their self-perce...

This study examined whether romantic attachment insecurity (i.e., anxiety and avoidance) was indirectly related to intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization through two types of romantic perfectionism (i.e., self-oriented and socially prescribed) and perceived couple conflict. University students (N = 564; 422 women) between 17 and 25 years of...

The Experiences in Close Relationships (Brennan et al, Attachment theory and close relationships, 1998) questionnaire is one of the most widely used measures of adult romantic attachment. Despite the advantages of the ECR, the length of this measure may discourage its use in clinical and research contexts. Consequently, the goal of this study was t...

Given the negative relations between parental psychological control and various aspects of emerging adults' social and emotional adaptation, there is a need to determine whether similar relations exist for emerging adults' academic adjustment. The current study tested an integrative model using an interactionist approach of dyadic gender compositio...

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the perceptions of spousal support self-efficacy in terms of dietary self-care and relationship happiness. Methods Forty-six couples, in which only one spouse has type 2 diabetes, completed questionnaires on perceptions of spousal support self-efficacy and relationship hap...

This study examined the indirect effects of distinct aspects of invalidating caregiving environments (i.e., paternal maltreatment, maternal maltreatment, and perceived alienation) on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) via six specific emotion regulation difficulties. We hypothesized that specific emotion regulation deficits would mediate associations...

Cette recension présente les résultats de 14 recherches portant sur l’efficacité de la thérapie de couple axée sur l’émotion (TCÉ). Elle offre également un aperçu critique de ces études. Les résultats obtenus démontrent que la TCÉ est efficace dans la diminution de la détresse conjugale et que ses effets semblent se maintenir dans le temps. Il appa...

This study seeks to validate the cross-cultural effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT) training in a sample of Spanish-speaking clinicians. The 28-hour formalized training for EFT was offered in six different Spanish-speaking countries, covering Europe, North America, Central America, and South America. Two hundred and seven ther...

This study used an actor-partner interdependence analytic approach to examine a theoretical model assessing whether lower differentiation of self is linked to higher psychological distress and lower dyadic adjustment. Data from 195 heterosexual Spanish couples were analyzed. Results showed significant actor effects in all variables. Regarding partn...

Résumé Introduction Avant la présente, aucune recherche n’avait été faite sur les défis et difficultés en matière de santé des familles francophones vivant en situation linguistique minoritaire en Ontario. Objectif de l’étude Les nouveaux parents sont vulnérables et exposés à divers problèmes de santé avec l’arrivée d’un enfant. Les objectifs de...

La Therapie centree sur l'emotion (TCE; Johnson, 2004) est l'une des approches les plus sophistiquees, ecaces, et renommees quant au traitement des relations amoureuses en detresse (Wiebe & Johnson, 2016). Le traitement dyadique de l'attachement insecurise est au coeur de cette approche. Dans le cadre d'une pratique fondee sur les donnees probantes...

This study examined the mediating role of romantic perfectionism in the associations linking romantic attachment insecurity and self-perceived dyadic coping in a community sample of 170 mixed-sex couples. Path analyses, based on the actor-partner interdependence model, revealed that other-oriented perfectionism in men and women mediated the link be...

Emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT) is an empirically validated attachment based approach to couple therapy. From an EFT perspective, sexual functioning is viewed within the context of an attachment bond, but sexual satisfaction in EFT has not been empirically tested. We examined self-reported sexual satisfaction across 24 months in a sample o...

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for treating chronic pain, but little is known about the mechanisms that might facilitate or hinder its utility when delivered by videoconference. In a single-case experimental design, we explored the outcomes of two adults with chronic pain who were provided with videoconference-based CBT. The goal w...

The Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory (OSI) is a comprehensive self-report measure of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). In an effort to build on past research and further validate the OSI, this study presents a confirmatory factor analysis of the OSI's subscales measuring the functions and addictive features of NSSI using a university sample. Participant...

Emerging research continues to underline the high prevalence and negative outcomes associated with nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among adolescent and young adult populations. In order to better understand the correlates of NSSI thoughts and behaviors, academic and health professionals have contributed research resources to the effort of identifyin...

Child maltreatment is considered a significant risk factor for young adult self-injury; however, the mechanisms that underlie this relationship are not yet understood. To elucidate this association, the mediating role of intimate partner violence victimization in the relationship between child maltreatment and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors...

Objective: Attachment insecurity is a potential risk factor for the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs). To date, there are multiple psychometrically sound questionnaires for the evaluation of attachment in both clinical and healthy populations, such as the Experience in Close Relationships (ECR) scale. Composed by two subscales...

Romantic relationship dissatisfaction has been cited as a primary reason for seeking mental health services (H. M. Foran, M. A. Whisman, & S. R. H. Beach, 2015). An increasing number of studies have revealed the importance of romantic attachment in understanding relationship satisfaction (M. Mikulincer & P. R. Shaver, 2016). This study aims to asse...

This study tested a serial mediation model examining how dyadic trust and sexual intimacy mediate the relationship between insecure romantic attachment and perpetrated sexual violence occurring between same sex intimate partners (sexual SSIPV). A community sample of adults (N = 310; 203 women, 107 men) involved in a committed (6 months or longer) s...

As a concept, romantic intimacy may be examined through Schaefer and Olson's (1981) measure, the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR), which identified five dimensions of intimacy: emotional, intellectual, recreational, sexual, and social intimacy. Moore, McCabe, and Stockdale's (1998) attempt to replicate this five-factor model...

In this investigation the factor structure of the Adult Attachment Interview was studied in a partially at-risk sample of 120 young adults. More specifically, 60 participants had engaged in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; 53 females, M age = 20.38 years), and 60 were non-self-injuring controls matched by age and sex. Theoretically anticipated differ...

Despite the well documented prevalence of same sex intimate partner violence (SSIPV), its dynamics remain relatively poorly understood. Building on the established value of attachment theory’s contribution to understanding heterosexual intimate partner violence, we provide a detailed examination of the relationship between the attachment system and...

While they are common, casual sex relationships (CSR) can provoke psychological distress (Stinson, 2010). Thus, determination of the personal factors of individuals inclined to CSR could serve to optimize the experience of those sexual practices. The theory of attachment seems a promising theoretical framework for studying individual differences th...

Attachment theory is considered an explanatory framework for understanding non-suicidal self-injury. Despite theoretical postulations, few studies have examined links between romantic attachment and its interconnected systems (the caregiving and sexual systems) and self-injury. This study investigated whether self-injurious thoughts and behaviours...

Insecure attachment is believed to play a fundamental role in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). In fact, the quality of parent–child attachment relationships has become an emerging topic attracting a growing number of theoretical and research contributions in the field of NSSI. However, despite these considerable advances in the scientific study of...