In our culture, there is an increased use of social media.  Social media has changed the way people and families interact with each other.  Many theorists believe social media has advantages of connecting people, while other theorists believe social media negatively affects relationships, for many reasons.  Social workers need to be aware of the couples’ use of social media and explore the effects on the relationship. 

For this Assignment search the Walden Library for two articles – one supporting the positive affects social media has on couples and one suggesting the negative affects social media has on relationships.  

The Assignment (2–3 pages)

• Summarize each article in 100 words or less.
• Provide a critical analysis of each side of the social media debate.
• Explain which side you take and support your professional opinion on social media and couple’s relationships with scholarly references and additional resources.

Use evidence-based research to support your findings.

Required Readings

Gurman, A. S., Lebow, J. L., Snyder, D. K. (2015). Clinical handbook of couple therapy. New York, NY: The Guilford Press.
Chapter 15, “Couple Therapy and the Treatment of Affairs”
Chapter 21, “Couple Therapy and Alcohol Problems”

Williams, M. (2012). Couples counseling: A step by step guide for therapists. Boston, MA: Viale Publishing.
Chapter 10, “Forgiveness”

Abbasi, I. S., & Alghamdi, N. G. (2017). When Flirting Turns Into Infidelity: The Facebook Dilemma. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 45(1), 1-14.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Coyle, S. M. (n.d). Integrating Spirituality in Marriage and Family Therapy Training. Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Family Therapy, 38(1), 142-155.

Doherty, W. J., & Harris, S. M. (2017). When one partner has an affair. In Helping couples on the brink of divorce: Discernment counseling for troubled relationships (pp. 135- 147). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/0000029-010

Fiori, K. L., Rauer, A. J., Birditt, K. S., Brown, E., Jager, J., & Orbuch, T. L. (2017). Social network typologies of black and white married couples in midlife. Journal Of Marriage And Family, 79(2), 571-589.

Singh, R. (n.d). Intimate Strangers? Working with Interfaith Couples and Families. Australian And New Zealand Journal Of Family Therapy, 38(1), 7-14.

Worthington, E. J., & Sandage, S. J. (2016). Forgiveness in couples and family therapy. In Forgiveness and spirituality in psychotherapy: A relational approach (pp. 223-245). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/14712-011