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Communal coping theorists have advanced our understanding of stress management in relationships. We add to that work by exploring the content of messages that people exchange when they talk about how they coped with stress. We collected data from 39 online forums and analyzed 446 posts in which people described how they coped with sexual health stress. Results indicated the presence of five types of coping (individual coping, parallelism, communal coping, refused communal coping, reluctant communal coping), distinguished by posters' descriptions of emotions, communication, and relationships in each category. Our findings indicate the need to consider valence in the study of communal coping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infertility is physically, emotionally, psychologically, financially, and socially challenging. For people in larger bodies, infertility challenges are intensified as providers often blame them for their inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term. Using a memorable messages framework, we examined messages that fat women (N = 69) with an infertility diagnosis received while trying to conceive, pregnant, and in the postpartum period. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we found three core messages that fat women received from providers: (a) body size is a primary reason for infertility, (b) weight loss will lead to a successful pregnancy, and (c) denial of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weight bias is prevalent for people in large bodies who are trying to conceive, pregnant, or postpartum. Using the theory of memorable messages as a framework, we explored the sources, valence, and content of messages that fat individuals (N = 237) recalled about their bodies before pregnancy through the postpartum stage. The most common source of memorable messages was healthcare providers, and most (77.2%) messages were negatively valenced. Thematic analysis revealed four overarching themes (fat mothers are bad mothers, denial of competent treatment, weight-normative commentary on fat bodies, and weight-inclusive counter-narratives). Our findings illuminate the significance of patient-practitioner communication across the pregnancy trajectory and highlight how counter-narratives can disrupt negative messages about fat pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Validating communication is a relational variable tied to physical functioning and emotional well-being and helps couples navigate the stress of chronic illness. In this study, we evaluated relational uncertainty, illness severity, and depressive symptoms as correlates of validating communication, and then considered associations between validating communication and both resilience and relational load. A cross-sectional study of romantic dyads coping with one or more chronic illnesses revealed support for hypothesized associations, illustrating associations among relational perceptions, illness characteristics, mental health, communication, and global relationship qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual health is critical to overall well-being, yet it is challenging and uncomfortable to discuss. Individuals frequently encounter uncertainty about their sexual health as they experience bodily changes, navigate romantic or sexual relationships, and explore their identities. In this study, we called on uncertainty management theory to guide an investigation of sexual health uncertainty. Specifically, we asked how people use social support to manage their sexual health uncertainty in online forums. Grounded theory analyses revealed that negative emotions, avoidance, and pursuing medical care prompted people to seek emotional and informational support online, and support served three functions: integrating information, assessing risk, and strategizing communication. The results point to stigma as a driving force in sexual health discussions online and imply practical recommendations for sexual education, communication about sexual topics, and patient-provider relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic illness is both prevalent in U.S. adults and influential in people's lives and relationships. In this study, we integrate relational turbulence theory with the theory of resilience and relational load to consider associations between perceptions of the relationship, relational maintenance, and two global relationship qualities: resilience and relational load. Results from a cross-sectional online survey of 100 dyads in which at least one partner reported a chronic condition suggest relational turbulence was associated with relational maintenance, which, in turn, was associated with relational load and resilience. Relational maintenance emerged as a mediator in the association between relational turbulence and resilience and relational load in several tests. Communal orientation was positively associated with relational maintenance and indirectly related to resilience and relational load in certain circumstances. We discuss these findings for each theory individually, the value of considering these theories concurrently, and pragmatic advice for couples navigating chronic illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is both prevalent and profoundly impactful, and how people cope with the illness is related to a variety of individual and relational outcomes. The goal of this investigation was to test the logic of the recently extended Theoretical Model of Communal Coping (TMCC), a communication theory that argues that race (in this study, Black and White) moderates the relationship between communal coping and disease-related outcomes (i.e., glucose, diet, and exercise self-care). In general, survey data from 348 participants (n = 224 Black participants, n = 124 White participants) revealed that although communal coping was directly and positively related to self-care, the relationship between communal coping and self-care was stronger for Black participants than White participants. The results of the study have implications for the TMCC and for researchers, families managing type 2 diabetes, and healthcare practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We evaluated two fundamental communication processes, self‐disclosure and destructive conflict management strategies, as mediators of the link between depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction among married U.S. soldiers. Background: Identifying the communication behaviors underlying why people with depressive symptoms are less satisfied with their romantic relationship is a high priority for research, and pinpointing relevant mediators is especially important among military personnel who face particular job stressors and relationship challenges. Methods: We analyzed cross‐sectional self‐report data from a representative sample of 4,196 married U.S. soldiers who participated in the all‐Army component of the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS). Results: Mediation was apparent such that people's depressive symptoms had indirect associations with their relationship satisfaction through both their self‐disclosure and their reports of their partner's destructive conflict management strategies. In contrast, mediation was not evident for their reports of their own destructive conflict management strategies. Conclusion: Less self‐disclosure and more destructive conflict management strategies by a partner may be reasons why soldiers experiencing depressive symptoms are less satisfied with their romantic relationship. Implications: Communication skills training for self‐disclosure and conflict management may help break the link between depressive symptoms and relationship dissatisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relational uncertainty is both prominent and pivotal during the transition from deployment to reintegration. Most prior research has considered the outcomes rather than the origins of relational uncertainty, hampering the development of interventions for military couples. We theorize about two predictors of relational uncertainty during the post-deployment transition: suspicion about a partner's deception and trust. Results of an 8-wave longitudinal study involving 287 U.S. military couples (N = 4,147 observations) revealed that relational uncertainty increased over the transition for both returning service members and at-home partners. Suspicion about a partner's deception, and particularly trust, predicted the relational uncertainty of military couples at homecoming and over time. These findings advance knowledge about the roots of relational uncertainty and suggest ways to assist military couples upon reunion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is far reaching, influencing the lives of both patients and their families. The communal coping model argues that people cope with stress in the context of their relationships, including family relationships, and that coping responses are both cognitive and behavioral in nature. According to the model, communal coping exists along two continuous dimensions: (a) appraisal, which assesses whether people's cognitions are individual or shared, and (b) action, which pertains to whether people engage in sole or joint behavior to diminish the negative effects of their stress. Theoretically, the dimensions of communal coping cross to create four distinct types of coping. However, this typology has not been statistically tested in existing research, so one goal of this study was to test the typology. A second goal was to assess how the dimensions and types of communal coping are related to family cohesion and individual T2D outcomes. In partial support of the communal coping model, three types of coping emerged, and overall, coping together was beneficial for patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the process of relational turbulence and psychological distress in the context of the military, we used a grounded theory approach to analyze individuals' experiences in online forums. Analyses revealed a process by which perceived changes in individuals' romantic partners or their relationships and suspicions of infidelity led to a cycle of turmoil. Participants reported a tension between caring for their partner and upsetting experiences and relational transgressions, which contributed to them feeling caught in the cycle. In addition to feeling conflicted, the cycle of turmoil also encompassed relational turbulence, psychological distress, and fighting between partners. The conceptual model identified in this study has implications for both theory and practice, including underscoring the importance of relational turbulence theory and identifying feeling conflicted as a potentially viable point of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stigma is pervasive and debilitating for people living with diabetes, carrying emotional, physiological, and social influences. Although researchers have investigated the sources and consequences of diabetes stigma, little is known about the lived experience of stigma. In this study, we used grounded theory methods to analyze data from 22 online diabetes forums. Results revealed that blaming and shaming was a core experience for people with diabetes, manifesting in feeling isolated, coping with weight, centering diabetes, and internalizing myths and misinformation. Posters disrupted their blame and shame by educating themselves and others and seeking mental health treatment. Results of the study have implications for research on diabetes stigma and practical value for mitigating the consequences of stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The communal coping model argues that people cope with stress in the context of their relationships and that coping responses are both cognitive and behavioral in nature. However, the cognitive dimension of the model (appraisal) has not been explicated in extant research. The purpose of this study is to fill that gap by conceptualizing the appraisal dimension of communal coping in the context of families managing one member’s type 2 diabetes. Analysis of interviews with individuals with type 2 diabetes and their family members (N = 28) revealed that appraisal consists of problem ownership and perceived problem influence and that appraisals are influenced by knowledge of the disease and changing health status. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although parents of adult service members play a pivotal role in the dynamics of military family life, they tend to be overlooked in research on military families. We seek to shed light on their experiences by investigating online discourse about having a son or daughter serving in the U.S. military. We used grounded theory methods to create a model depicting the process by which parents communicated in the online forums. At the heart of the model was the central theme of parents coping with the stress of military life. Parents were troubled by losing time with their child and feeling alone because of his or her absence, which led them to feel chaotic emotions. They coped with their stress by seeking support, relating to others with similar experiences, and focusing on the positive. We consider both the theoretical implications of these findings for understanding coping and supportive communication and the practical implications for meeting the needs of military parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relational uncertainty is an undeniable aspect of military life, but the literature lacks knowledge about the lived experiences of military couples. We examined how individuals communicate in online forums about relational uncertainty in military life using a grounded theory approach to analyze 1,794 pages of threads. Results demonstrated that posters detected deception and/or recognized change, which led to volatile emotions, and ultimately prompted them to seek help for managing relational uncertainty. Posters dealt with their questions by engaging in self-care, justifying the partner’s behavior, postponing action, and doing relationship work. In reply, responders provided emotional support by offering comfort and reframing change. They provided informational support by recommending that posters acknowledge deception, take care of themselves, consider the partner’s perspective, defer major changes, and work on the relationship. These findings advance theorizing about relational uncertainty and social support; they also suggest guidelines for helping military couples manage relational uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]