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Research surrounding queer populations has been extremely limited, especially for couples that include transgender individuals. This paper will have a clinical focus on how Satir's Experiential Model can be integrated with Intersectional Feminist Theory and Queer Theory to create a trans-affirming treatment approach. The fusion of these models allows therapists to challenge traditional power dynamics and societal messages in therapy. This article provides practical ways that clinicians can adapt traditional experiential interventions in critically informed ways. Using a session-by-session overview, the case study demonstrates how a clinician might integrate these approaches. Recommendations for clinicians, students, and the field are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study explores the process through which informal caregivers, particularly spouses, construct their identity within the context of caregiving for individuals with dementia. Despite extensive research in psychology aimed at defining caregiving (e.g. tasks, consequences), few informal caregivers identify themselves as such. For instance, the affective bond shared between caregivers and care‐recipients often imbues caregiving responsibilities with a sense of "naturalness," especially if the care‐recipient is a spouse. Methods: To investigate the nature of caregiver identity construction, eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted with spouse caregivers of dementia patients. The collected data underwent interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: Three interconnected themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Perceiving changes in my partner, which involves recognising alterations in the care‐receiver's characteristics due to dementia; (2) Processing changes, encompassing the experience of grieving losses and reminiscing about the past; and (3) Perceiving changes in myself, referring to the acknowledgement of personal changes due to caregiving. Conclusion: The study emphasises the dynamic and ongoing nature of caregiver identity construction, which begins with the early recognition of changes in the care‐receiver. Interestingly, spouse caregivers oscillate between their identity as a spouse and caregiver, influenced by how they process changes undergone by their partner. Contrasting with previous theories on caregivers' identity, our results focus of caregivers' perceptions rather than their relationship with the care‐recipient or caregiving tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines age discrepancies in couples formed at various stages of life. Both evolutionary and sociocultural perspectives suggest that people's preferences for their partner's age gradually change throughout their lifespan. This study includes European couples (N = 35,996; 51% women and 49% men) surveyed in two waves of the panel study Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). A linear regression model was employed to analyze age differences in couples concerning when the relationship began. For men, the projected age of their partner decreased by nearly 1 year for every 5 years of their age. A similar but smaller effect was observed for women. These findings were consistent across 29 countries and indicated that men tended to be more inclined to start relationships with younger partners as they grew older. Conversely, women's initial tendency to partner with slightly older individuals shifted toward same‐aged partners as they aged. These results indirectly suggest that preferences in age‐related mate selection may systematically change as individuals grow older. An evolutionary and sociocultural rationale for age disparities seems plausible for men, regardless of their age, whereas sociocultural influences come into play for women as they age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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, emotional‐ruminative, and offender reconstrual) and relationship under‐commitment in couples who experienced a relational transgression, and the moderating roles of attachment insecurities (attachment anxiety and avoidance) and the sample type (community vs. clinical) in these associations. The sample included 114 couples (42 from the community and 72 seeking relationship therapy); both partners completed online questionnaires. Path analyses revealed associations between the cognitive‐evaluative and offender reconstrual dimensions, and higher under‐commitment in offended partners. The association between offender reconstrual and under‐commitment was only present when offended partners exhibited low to moderate levels of attachment anxiety. The emotional‐ruminative dimension was associated with under‐commitment in both partners, but only when offended partners reported low levels of attachment avoidance. No moderation effect was found for the sample type. This study enhances understanding of post‐transgression unforgiveness and unravels some individual characteristics that are likely to affect how it relates to both partners' under‐commitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Money management practices among couples from 27 countries were studied to understand how they reflect egalitarian values. The welfare system was used as a classification criterion, to account for the distinct socio-political contexts in which couple relationships are formed. Design/methodology/approach: The data are sourced from the 2012 Survey on Family and Changing Gender Roles of the International Social Survey Programme. The analytical strategy used has been binary logistic regression. Findings: The results demonstrate that participation of the woman in the household economy and financial decision-making indicates higher levels of egalitarian values in the couple. Couples who distinguish between a common fund and individual funds demonstrate more egalitarian values than those who have only a common fund. Besides, symmetry in the couple in terms of the income level of each partner increased the probability of having more egalitarian values. Greater equality was found among couples who resided in countries with a Mediterranean welfare system. Originality/value: The paper makes an original contribution to the field of sociology and social policy by focus on couples' money management and improve understanding of the finance-well-being nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality and stability of couple relationships have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of individual partners and patterns of family change. Although much research has compared the quality and stability of same-sex and different-sex relationships, the multidimensional nature of sexuality has received insufficient attention in this scholarship. Individuals in same-sex (different-sex) partnerships do not necessarily identify as gay/lesbian (straight) or report exclusive same-sex (different-sex) attraction—a phenomenon we term "identity/attraction–partnership inconsistency." By analyzing nationally representative longitudinal data collected between 2017 and 2022, we show that identity/attraction–partnership inconsistency is common among U.S. adults, ranging from 2 percent of men in different-sex partnerships to 41 percent of women in same-sex partnerships. Regression results show that such inconsistency is associated with lower relationship quality and higher relationship instability, and these negative ramifications are particularly pronounced among individuals, notably men, in different-sex partnerships. Our findings uncover the implications of multidimensional sexuality for relationship dynamics and outcomes given the rigid institutionalization of different-sex couplehood and the close normative regulation of men's heterosexuality. Our study highlights the importance of incorporating multiple dimensions of sexuality and their interplays into research on couple relationships and family change.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk, as assessed by the STOP-Bang questionnaire, and couples’ self-rated health. It also investigates how sleep behaviors (snoring, daytime tiredness, and observed apnea) reported in the STOP-Bang items affect couples’ self-rated health. Methods: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021) were analyzed, including 2,498 couples with complete STOP-Bang and self-rated health data. Logistic regression was used to explore these associations. Results: 59.2% of husbands and 11.0% of wives were at high risk for OSA. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and health behaviors, OSA risk and daytime tiredness were associated with poor self-rated health in both spouses (OR 1.52–3.38 in husbands, 2.23–2.63 in wives). After adjusting for these confounding factors and individual OSA risk, husbands whose wives reported snoring or daytime tiredness had higher odds of self-rated poor health (OR 2.69 [95% CI: 1.63–4.43] and 1.75 [95% CI: 1.25–2.45], respectively) compared to husbands whose wives did not report these behaviors. However, wives’ self-rated health was not significantly influenced by their husbands’ sleep behaviors. Additionally, the adjusted odds of self-rated poor health were 1.51 (95% CI: 1.06–2.16) in husbands if either partner had a high OSA risk, and 1.83 (95% CI: 1.15–2.90) in wives if both partners had a high OSA risk. Conclusion: Husbands’ self-rated poor health is associated with wives’ snoring and daytime tiredness. The presence of OSA in one or both partners was also associated with poorer perceived health in the couple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to describe how the use of interrogative sentences can contribute to the induction of negative emotions and, consequently, increase the likelihood of conflict or its escalation. For this purpose, this paper analyses quantitatively a corpus obtained from the recording and transcription of therapy sessions of different Spanish couples. Specifically, for this paper, three sessions corresponding to three different therapy moments of four different couples were selected. This means that 12 therapy sessions and, approximately, 900 minutes of recording were analysed. Once the interrogative sentences used by the couples have been identified, the following aspects are described and quantified in order to answer the following questions: What is the underlying intention behind the use of these sentences by the couples in these situations? Is there variation in how different couples use them? Do the uses change consistently as the therapy progresses? Is there a correlation between the pragmatic use of these sentences and the specific types of interrogative sentences used in each case? The analysis reveals a variety of uses depending on the couples. However, it also detects a minority use of interrogative sentences for requesting unknown information and, conversely, a prevalence of uses aimed at making the speaker's position prevail, although through the mitigation allowed by an open statement. Finally, the analysis also shows a strong correlation between the pragmatic use of interrogative sentences and their form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pornography use is a common sexual activity for many individuals including those in a romantic relationship. Some studies have shown that violent content depicted in pornography is a risk factor for perpetration of violence in real life. Even if most of these studies examined perpetration of violent behaviors in general, not specifically toward the intimate partner, some studies have shown that pornography use frequency is related to a greater perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV), while other studies have found that it is not significantly related. However, most previous studies were cross-sectional, sampled individuals rather than couples, and did not include separately forms of IPV (e.g., physical, psychological, and sexual). The present study examined the associations between pornography use frequency and the perpetration of physical and psychological IPV, and sexual coercion among young adult couples. A convenience sample of 113 couples aged between 16 and 29 years old completed self-reported online questionnaires two times over a 2-year period. The results of autoregressive cross-lagged models showed that a person's pornography use frequency at Time 1 was related to their own higher sexual coercion perpetration 2 years later and that a person's sexual coercion perpetration was related to their partner's lower pornography use frequency 2 years later. However, no significant association between pornography use frequency and physical and psychological IPV emerged. In line with previous studies, our results suggest that pornography use represents an important risk factor for the perpetration of sexual coercion. Findings support the need to include education around pornography use in sexual violence prevention programs to avoid that young adults reproduce pornographic scripts in their sexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A matter of death and life, is the diary that Irvin Yalom and his wife Marilyn, two elderly people in the last act of life, write together, chapter after chapter, a few months before her death, suffering from myeloma. The testimony of a union that spans sixty-five years of life celebrated in the name of mutual knowledge and respect for each other's individuality, an irreplaceable ingredient of an interminable union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although separation and divorce are common events in our society and in our day, as clinicians, we often face with their devastating effects on adulthood. In this paper, we will focus our attention on what occurs when a person, who had based his/her existence on the couple's bond, has to drastically reorganize himself/herself in order to gain a functioning "without the other". Starting from Freud's reflections on what is terminable and what is interminable in the process of conclusion of the analysis, two clinical vignettes will be presented in the attempt to illustrate the multiple meanings of separation. The interminable aspects of adjustment to the breaking of the bond will be linked to the inevitable interminability of those processes by which the mind constantly moves between "schemas of being with" and "schemas of being without the other". Furthermore, we will reflect on the terminable processes which lead towards a relational reorganization. Fragile self-cohesion, failed process of individuation, lack of integration, and problematic attachment will be considered as elements of vulnerability in the process of separation. We will suggest that the difficulty that many individuals we meet in the consulting room encounter in their internal work of "drastic representational revision" is also linked to the activation of disorganized attachments following the trauma perceived by the threat of separation. Finally, a focus on the clinical work and on the now moments as a tool improving the ongoing movements between self-other, with-without, throughout life will be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodResultsConclusionsThis study examines how patients with gastric cancer and their spouses communicate about the illness, assessing the impact of positive or negative communication on their psychological adaptation and the intimacy of their relationship as a couple.Employing The Relationship Intimacy Model of Couple Adaptation to Cancer, this study used purposive sampling with the principle of maximum variation to select participants. Sixteen pairs of patients with gastric cancer and their spouse caregivers, hospitalized in the oncology department of a tertiary hospital in Jingjiang City, Jiangsu Province, from March to July 2023, were chosen for semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The recorded data were transcribed within 24 h following each interview and supplemented with field notes. Directed content analysis was employed for the qualitative content analysis.The interview data revealed three themes and six subthemes. Theme 1: The impact of negative patient-spouse communication, with the subthemes being (i) a decline in couples’ relationship intimacy and (ii) reduced psychological adaptation. Theme 2: The impact of positive patient-spouse communication, with the subthemes being (i) enhanced couples’ relationship intimacy and (ii) increased psychological adaptation. Theme 3: The impact of protective concealment, with the subthemes being (i) declined couples’ relationship intimacy and psychological adaptation, and (ii) increased couples’ relationship intimacy and psychological adaptation. Throughout the chemotherapy period, patients with gastric cancer and their spouses experienced both positive and negative forms of patient-spouse communication. This underscores the significance of acknowledging protective concealment within couples. Moreover, the study highlights how the dynamics of couples’ relationship intimacy and psychological adaptation are influenced by both positive and negative communication patterns surrounding the illness.For patients with gastric cancer and their spouses, it is crucial for nurses to emphasize the importance of spousal disease communication during chemotherapy. Efforts should be made to mitigate one-sided, conflictual communication and avoidance behaviors, and to adopt appropriate communication strategies in terms of content and timing to deeply promote couple communication. Additionally, there is a need to focus on the physical and psychological stress of protective concealment in couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Gender could impact the psychosocial outcomes and coping strategies of cancer patients and their spousal caregivers (SCs). This study aims to develop a gender‐concerned program for colorectal cancer (CRC) couple‐based mutual communication intervention (MCI) and to assess its effectiveness on the intra‐couple relationship and the individual functions of the partners. Design: A randomized clinical trial with two study groups was utilized. Methods: A total of 144 CRC patients and their SCs were randomly assigned to either MCI or usual care (UC) groups, and all of them were required to complete the measurements at baseline and post‐intervention. The primary outcome was for mutual communication, and the secondary outcomes included dyadic coping, relationship satisfaction, anxiety, depression, benefit finding and quality of life. The data were analysed by multi‐level modelling. Results: The MCI program was feasible and acceptable for Chinese CRC couples and was effective for the improvement of the intra‐couple relationship and the individual functions of each partner. CRC patients showed more improvement in mutual communication and dyadic coping than their SCs in the MCI group. Also, this intervention effectiveness was found to be independent of gender. Conclusions: The MCI program is beneficial for Chinese CRC couple's adaptation outcomes. This suggests that clinical medical staff should consider the gender tendency during the implementation of interventions. More researches are needed to extend the application of the MCI program to different participants (e.g. patients with the diagnosis of other types of cancer and their SCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Two male contraceptive methods that inhibit spermatogenesis currently exist: thermal male contraception and hormonal male contraception. Only five studies have been conducted on the acceptability of these methods among men; among women, only the hypothetical acceptability of such a male contraceptive approach as the sole contraception method used by a couple has been evaluated. Objectives: To evaluate the motivation, experience, and satisfaction of female partners in couples using hormonal male contraception or thermal male contraception as the sole contraception. Materials and methods: In this cross‐sectional study, 123 male users of hormonal male contraception or thermal male contraception as the couple's sole contraception method were asked to invite their female partner to participate in an anonymous online survey. The questionnaire included 95 questions exploring population characteristics, contraceptive and pregnancy history, motivations for choosing hormonal male contraception or thermal male contraception, the experience of the women in the successive phase of use, relationships with their partner, and satisfaction with the contraception method. Results: The response rate among participating women was 69% (59/86). The two main reasons for choosing male contraceptive were the desire to share the contraception role in the couple (65%) and the desire of the man to take charge of the contraception (61%). The sexual satisfaction score increased significantly between the contraceptive methods used before hormonal male contraception or thermal male contraception and the phase of contraceptive use (p < 0.01). The overall satisfaction level with thermal male contraception or hormonal male contraception was rated at 3.7 ± 0.6 out of 4. Women mostly recommended hormonal male contraception or thermal male contraception because of the share of contraceptive responsibility and mental load (n = 23/54, 43%). Discussion: This population of women seemed to have struggled to find a contraceptive method that suited them, but most took advantage of thermal male contraception or hormonal male contraception and trusted their male partner to take charge of contraception use. Conclusion: The positive evaluation from women in partnerships using thermal male contraception and hormonal male contraception should encourage the development of these methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To investigate empirically the direct effect and potential mechanism of family resilience on patient‐reported outcomes among young stroke dyads in China. Background: Young patients with stroke have been becoming an important public health issue. According to relevant theories and previous studies, we found that family resilience might play an important role in patient's symptoms. However, it is less clear about the specific relationship and potential mechanisms of these two variables. Design: We used a prospective cross‐sectional design. Methods: A multi‐item questionnaire was used to assess the constructs of interest. Researchers progressively constructed and validated conditional process models. The PROCESS macro was used to verify the research hypotheses. Results: A total of 560 questionnaires were collected in this study. We found that family resilience of stroke patients and their spouses had a direct effect on the physical, psychological and social aspects of patient‐reported symptoms. We further revealed that caregiver preparedness partially mediated the relationship between family resilience and patient's symptoms in stroke patient‐spouse dyads, while perceived social support moderated the relationship between caregiver preparedness and patient's symptoms. Finally, we observed that the impact of caregiver readiness and social support on patients' symptoms predominantly manifested in physical and physiological outcomes. Conclusions: Our research provides evidence about the positive impact of family resilience on patient‐reported symptoms in young stroke dyads. Meanwhile, it further revealed how caregiver preparedness and perceived social support may play out in the relationship. Practice Implications: Our research introduces a novel perspective and pathway to enhance short‐term recovery outcomes for patients. It also furnishes clinicians and nurses with evidence to guide the implementation of interventions aimed at improving patient health outcomes and facilitating smoother transitions from the hospital to home. Impact: What problem did the study address? Families play a crucial role in a patient's recovery process from illness, with family resilience serving as an important force for families to overcome adversity. However, the impact on patient symptoms and the underlying mechanisms of this relationship are uncertain. Empirical research is required to validate these aspects. What were the main findings? Family resilience has a positive impact on the physical, psychological and social aspects of patient‐reported symptoms in young stroke dyads. Both the actor effect and partner effect are supported. The impact of caregiver readiness and social support on patient‐reported symptoms is primarily observed in physical and physiological outcomes. Where and on whom will the research have an impact? This study offers a novel approach to enhance the short‐term recovery of stroke patients. The researchers believe that the findings of this study will play an even more significant role during patients' transition from the hospital to home. Reporting Method: This study followed the STROBE statement of cross‐sectional studies. Patient or Public Contribution: The study was conducted by patients, their spouses, healthcare professionals and the research team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While personality traits can predict couples' behaviors in marital life, there are limited studies on the relationship between personality and marital relationships. This study aimed to examine the role of personality in predicting intimacy and the quality of marital relationships in newlywed couples. This cross-sectional study included 115 newlywed couples who participated in an online survey. Participants completed three questionnaires: the NEO Personality Inventory for assessing personality traits, the Intimacy Safety Questionnaire (ISQ) for measuring marital intimacy, and the Quality of Marriage Index (QMI) for evaluating marital quality. Marital intimacy was positively predicted by extraversion and conscientiousness in women and extraversion, conscientiousness, and openness in men. Relationship quality was negatively predicted by neuroticism in women while positively predicted by openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Examining the factors affecting the improvement of marital satisfaction in couples is one of the most important goals of psychology. Marriage has been described as the most important and fundamental interpersonal relationship due to the role it plays in establishing a family relationship and educating the next generation, and in satisfactory, successful marriages, couples send clear messages to each other. They trust each other and accept each other's differences easily, which makes them creative to develop and plan their own identity. In this regard, the present study aimed to compare marital compatibility between Iranian and Turkish couples. Method: The current research was a comparative design. The statistical population of this research was all Iranian and Turkish couples, 300 Iranian couples and 300 Turkish couples were randomly selected and answered the marital compatibility questionnaire. Then, the collected data was analyzed using the analysis of variance test in SPSS software version 24. Findings: The results of this research showed that Iranian couples are more compatible than Turkish couples (p<0.001). Discussion: Based on the obtained research findings, it can be said that in order to improve marital relations, psychologists and family counselors should emphasize more on educating couples on marital issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 could contribute to their lower sexual well-being and explore whether their perception of intimacy could explain this association. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of intolerance of uncertainty and intimacy in first-time parents' sexual well-being (i.e., sexual desire and sexual satisfaction). A total of 211 couples expecting their first child were recruited in a province of Canada to participate in a broader longitudinal study. Bearing mothers and their partners answered validated questionnaires measuring sexual desire, sexual satisfaction, intolerance of uncertainty, depression symptoms, and perceived intimacy at 4, 8, and 12 months postpartum. Dyadic path analyses revealed that, controlling for postpartum depression symptoms at 12 months postpartum, mothers' intolerance of uncertainty at 4 months postpartum was associated with both partners' lower sexual satisfaction at 12 months postpartum through their own lower perception of intimacy at 8 months postpartum. Mothers' intolerance of uncertainty at 4 months postpartum was also associated with partners' lower sexual desire at 12 months postpartum through their own lower perception of intimacy at 8 months postpartum. Better understanding these individual and interpersonal factors associated with first-time parents' sexual well-being could help in educating expecting couples and preventing sexual challenges they may encounter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigates the impact of both maternal psychopathological factors and adaptive psychological changes within the couple on fetal growth, emphasizing the importance of evaluating pregnancy from the perspectives of the couple, the mother, and the fetus collectively. A "couple" in this context refers to heterosexual partners engaged in the pregnancy process together, whether married or in a stable relationship. Methods: We included 189 pregnant women in their first trimester, tracking maternal depression, anxiety, body appreciation, prenatal attachment, and the couple's adjustment level across each trimester. Fetal growth parameters measured include biparietal diameter, femur length, humerus length, abdomen circumference, head circumference, β-HCG, and amniotic fluid levels, with relationships between these variables being modeled accordingly. Results: Our findings indicate stable levels of maternal depression, anxiety, body appreciation, and couple's adjustment throughout the pregnancy, with a significant increase in prenatal attachment levels in each subsequent trimester. Prenatal attachment in the first trimester and maternal depression levels in the second and third trimesters were found to directly influence fetal growth, while other variables exhibited indirect effects. Conclusions: Fetal growth is influenced by a myriad of biopsychosocial factors. Ensuring healthy pregnancy and fetal development necessitates close monitoring and support of the mother's adaptive psychological changes, early identification and treatment of potential psychopathologies, and maintenance of the psychosocial health of the couple. Significance: Although there are studies on the effects of maternal psychopathology on fetal growth, there are few studies that study the effects of adaptive psychological changes during pregnancy and the couple's relationship on fetal growth together with maternal psychopathology. With this study, it was understood that there was only a change in the prenatal attachment levels of the mother during pregnancy, there was no significant change in anxiety, depression, body appreciation and dyadic adjustment, but the mutual interactions of these factors during each trimester had important effects on fetal growth. For a healthy pregnancy and healthy fetal development, it is necessary to closely monitor and support the adaptive psychological changes of the mother, early recognition and appropriate treatment of possible psychopathologies, and the psychosocial health of the couple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes various facets of self-image, starting from the dialectic between the intimate, in the way it reveals itself to the other in the loving couple, and the extimate, the self-image sought in the gaze of others and, for the baby, in the gaze of the mother first and foremost. Based on this opposition, we question the position of the arrogant, the conformist, or the snob, as well as the prison in which the extimate confines the mythomaniac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are concerned in this paper with a new class of coupled problems by differential inclusions involving time and state-dependent maximal monotone operators with perturbations. The operators vary (in the sense of the pseudo-distance) in an absolutely continuous way in time, and in a Lipschitz-continuous way in state. By a discretization technique, we state the well-posedness (existence and uniqueness of the solution) in a real separable Hilbert space. Applications to optimal control and to fractional theory are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Symptom accommodation by family members (FMs) of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) includes FMs’ participation in patients’ avoidance/safety behaviours and constraining self-expression to minimise conflict, potentially maintaining patients’ symptoms. The Significant Others’ Responses to Trauma Scale (SORTS) is the only existing measure of accommodation in PTSD but has not been rigorously psychometrically tested.Objective: We aimed to conduct further psychometric analyses to determine the factor structure and overall performance of the SORTS. Method: We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using a sample of N = 715 FMs (85.7% female, 62.1% White, 86.7% romantic partners of individuals with elevated PTSD symptoms).Results: After dropping cross-loading items, results indicated good fit for a higher-order model of accommodation with two factors: an anger-related accommodation factor encompassed items related largely to minimising conflict, and an anxiety-related accommodation factor encompassed items related primarily to changes to the FM’s activities. Accommodation was positively related to PTSD severity and negatively related to relationship satisfaction, although the factors showed somewhat distinct associations. Item Response Theory analyses indicated that the scale provided good information and robust coverage of different accommodation levels.Conclusions: SORTS data should be analysed as both a single score as well as two factors to explore the factors’ potential differential performance across treatment and relationship outcomes.

Nan Tang,1 Mengyue Pei,2 Huihui Liu,3 Jingru Chen,1 Youting Wang,1 Lei Xie,4 Junping Hu,3,5 Jing Wang,6 Yuan Gao1 1Department of Nursing, 1st Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Medicine, Henan Kaifeng College of Science Technology and Communication, Kaifei, Henan Province, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People’s Republic of China; 4Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Gynecology, 1th Medical Centre of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jing Wang; Yuan Gao, Email wangjing353535@163.com; gaoyuanzd@163.comBackground: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between infertility-related stress and dyadic coping with quality of life (QoL) in couples with infertility issues, and verify gender differences and dyadic interactions in the associations between them.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 340 couples who were recruited from the First Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University between March 2022 and November 2022. The Fertility Problem Inventory, Dyadic Coping Inventory and FertiQoL were used to measure infertility-related stress, dyadic coping and QoL. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was used to analyze the effects of infertility-related stress and dyadic coping on the couple’s own QoL (actor effect) as well as on their partner’s QoL (partner effect).Results: Female patients perceived significantly lower levels of QoL and dyadic coping than those of husbands. There was no statistically significant difference in the infertility-related stress between wives and husbands. Husbands’ infertility-related stress had actor and partner effects on their own and their wives’ QoL, while wives’ infertility-related stress only had an actor effect on their own QoL. Husbands’ dyadic coping had both actor effect and partner effects on their own and their wives’ QoL, meanwhile wives’ dyadic coping had both actor effect and partner effects on their own and their husbands’ QoL.Conclusion: Husbands’ QoL was impacted by their own infertility-related stress, dyadic coping and their wives’ dyadic coping. Whereas wives’ QoL was influenced by infertility-related stress and dyadic coping from both their own and their spouses. Therefore, elevating the level of dyadic coping may contribute to improving QoL for both husbands and wives. Moreover, enhancing the ability to cope with infertility-related stress might be useful for husbands and indirectly contribute to wives’ QoL.Keywords: infertility, couple, infertility-related stress, dyadic coping, QoL

Living in HIV serodiscordant relationship poses psychosocial challenges to couples. These necessitate proper counseling. This paper explored the psychosocial support for counselors working with HIV-serodiscordant couples at a regional hospital. The study used descriptive and exploratory approaches, underpinned by an interpretative phenomenological analysis design (IPA). Participants were selected using a non-probability snowball sampling technique. A total of nine participants took part in the study. Data were collected using an in-depth interview guide and analyzed using an interpretive phenomenological analysis framework. Three themes emanated: knowledge deficiency on serodiscordancy among the counselors, limited/lack of support and ways to recommend HIV-serodiscordant couples services. The findings indicates that there is need to enhance, strengthen, and provide comprehensive psychosocial support services to discordant couples. To support and improve the knowledge, confidence and skills of counselors, the following should be implemented: provision of training, introducing debriefing sessions to reflect on discordant cases, follow-up on discordant couple’s post diagnosis to offer psychosocial support services, and establishment and strengthening of the support groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although normal expression of sexual desire is recognized as one of the important aspects of sexual life throughout the life course, older adults experience many barriers to expressing their sexual needs and desires. Thus, this study explored the barriers to the expression of sexual desires in older ages. A qualitative study was adopted with a conventional content analysis approach. Nineteen elderly males and females over 60 years participated in this study. Data were collected by semi-structured individual interviews until data saturation and concurrently analyzed via MAXQDA 10. Four main themes emerged from data analysis as the main barriers of expression of sexual desires in the older ages: existing stereotypes about sexual roles of older adults; declining emotional bonding and intimacy; experiencing a sense of sexual dysfunction; and unpleasant aspects about spouse and life. Older adults are not easy to express his/her sexual desires and believe that having sexual activities in the aging years might be considered inappropriate behavior. As a result, most older adults end up suppressing their sexual desires. Hence, geriatric health-care delivery systems should have a focus on how to provide the necessary consultations and support for older persons. Older adults may experience some barriers to expressing their sexual desires such as existing stereotypes about sexual roles of older adults, declining emotional bonding, and sense of sexual dysfunction. Therefore, older adults are not easy to express their sexual desires and may suppress their sexual desires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the concepts of moments and couples in mechanics are examined from a fundamental perspective. Representing a couple by its moment vector is very useful in rigid body mechanics, where the states of internal stresses and deformation are not studied. This is because only the moment of couples appears in the governing equation of moment equilibrium. On the other hand, when considering the state of internal stresses and deformation in continuum mechanics, not only the moment of couples but also the line of action of their constituent parallel opposite forces must be specified. In defining a well-posed problem for a continuum, including the governing equations of moment equilibrium or motion, boundary conditions, and constitutive relations, only the moment of couples (e.g., body couples, couple tractions, couple stresses) appear without specifying the line of action of the constituent parallel forces. Nevertheless, the physical state of stress and deformation in the continuum must be unique and determinate. Therefore, this physical requirement imposes some restrictions on the form of body couples, couple tractions, and couple stresses. Here, the uniqueness of interactions in the continuum is used to establish that the continuum does not support a distribution of body couples or a distribution of surface twisting couple tractions with normal moments. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of the couple traction as a double layer of shear force tractions is established, along with the skew-symmetric character of the couple stress moment tensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the prevalence of prenatal depression and to determine the dyadic relationship between perceived stress, marital satisfaction, and prenatal depression in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and their partners. GDM during pregnancy is a very stressful event for couples. However, previous studies have largely focused on pregnant women, with few including their partners. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, from 30 July to 2 December 2021. Three hundred fourteen couples with GDM completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Locke–Wallace Marital Adjustment Scale, and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Dyadic analysis was conducted using the actor–partner interdependence mediation model. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 13.4% in pregnant women with GDM and 8.3% in their partners. Regarding the actor effects, perceived stress was positively associated with prenatal depression in pregnant women with GDM and their partners, respectively, and marital satisfaction acted as a mediating role. Regarding the partner effects, paternal perceived stress was negatively associated with maternal marital satisfaction, and maternal marital satisfaction mediated the association between paternal perceived stress and maternal prenatal depression. Dyadic effects of perceived stress, marital satisfaction, and prenatal depression exist in couples with GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marriage is considered in the literature as a means of pooling risks and improving the well-being of couples. Thus, this article aims to analyze the relationship between marriage and the well-being of couples in Togo. To do so, we apply the ordinary least squares (OLS) method. Using data from the Enquête Harmonisée sur les Conditions de Vie des Ménages (EHCVM) Togo 2018. We arrive at the results that, marriage positively affects the well-being of married women under monogamy and polygamy, but the well-being of women in common-law unions decreases. However, our results show that marriage negatively affects the well-being of married men in Togo, regardless of their marital status. Furthermore, we find that marriage is a decreasing function of education level in Togo, but that marriage contributes to improved household well-being in the Togolese context. Our results suggest that the provision of social assistance, such as affordable healthcare or employment assistance programs, could help improve the well-being of married men. Further policy implications are proposed in the light of our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to offer a reflection on the need for an integration between the various theoretical contributions relating to the couple clinic and a proposal for a model of reading and intervention that connects the models emerging from much of the systemic-relational literature. A proposal this to be made available to the clinic and training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Onco.news is the property of Portuguese Association of Oncology Nursing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

STUDY QUESTION Is preconception depression associated with time to pregnancy (TTP) and infertility? SUMMARY ANSWER Couples with preconception depression needed a longer time to become pregnant and exhibited an increased risk of infertility. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Preconception depression in women contributes to impaired fertility in clinical populations. However, evidence from the general population—especially based on couples—is relatively scant. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A couple-based prospective preconception cohort study was performed in 16 premarital examination centers between April 2019 and June 2021. The final analysis included 16 521 couples who tried to conceive for ≤6 months at enrollment. Patients with infertility were defined as those with a TTP ≥12 months and those who conceived through ART. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Couples' depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 at baseline. Reproductive outcomes were obtained via telephone at 6 and 12 months after enrollment. Fertility odds ratios (FORs) and infertility risk ratios (RRs) in different preconception depression groups were analyzed using the Cox proportional-hazard models and logistic regression, respectively. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Of the 16 521 couples analyzed, 10 834 (65.6%) and 746 (4.5%) couples achieved pregnancy within the first 6 months and between the 6th and 12th months, respectively. The median (P25, P75) TTP was 3.0 (2.0, 6.0) months. The infertility rate was 13.01%. After adjusting for potential confounders, in the individual-specific analyses, we found that preconception depression in women was significantly related to reduced odds of fertility (FOR = 0.947, 95% CI: 0.908–0.988), and preconception depression in either men or women was associated with an increased risk of infertility (women: RR = 1.212, 95% CI: 1.076–1.366; men: RR = 1.214, 95% CI: 1.068–1.381); in the couple-based analyses, we found that—compared to couples where neither partner had depression—the couples where both partners had depression exhibited reduced fertility (adjusted FOR = 0.904, 95% CI: 0.838–0.975). The risk of infertility in the group where only the woman had depression and both partners had depression increased by 17.8% (RR = 1.178, 95% CI: 1.026–1.353) and 46.9% (RR = 1.469, 95% CI: 1.203–1.793), respectively. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Reporting and recall bias were unavoidable in this large epidemiological study. Some residual confounding factors—such as the use of anti-depressants and other medications, sexual habits, and prior depressive and anxiety symptoms—remain unaddressed. We used a cut-off score of 5 to define depression, which is lower than prior studies. Finally, we assessed depression only at baseline, therefore we could not detect effects of temporal changes in depression on fertility. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This couple-based study indicated that preconception depression in individuals and couples negatively impacts couples' fertility. Early detection and intervention of depression to improve fertility should focus on both sexes. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82273638) and the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2018YFC1004201). All authors declare no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pedagogía Social is the property of Pedagogia Social and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Male service members/veterans die by suicide at increased rates relative to civilians and females in the military, with risk increasing following military sexual trauma (MST) exposure. Suicide theories emphasize the role of feeling connected to others, and in the context of romantic relationships, it is possible that higher relationship satisfaction buffers the effects of MST. That said, MST exposure is associated with higher relationship distress, so the potential buffering effects are unclear. The current brief report assessed the interaction of relationship satisfaction and MST exposure as correlates of suicide risk among a convenience sample of 290 partnered male service members/veterans. This secondary analysis utilized a survey to assess MST exposure, relationship satisfaction, suicide risk, and demographics. Using linear regression, suicide risk was regressed on MST exposure, relationship satisfaction, and their interaction, as well as demographic covariates. The average score for relationship satisfaction suggested distressed relationships (M=13.41, SD= 4.55) and 16.21% (n=47) reported MST. Suicide risk was elevated (M=5.95, SD=3.23). The linear regression revealed that MST exposure (B=1.21, p=.02) and lower relationship satisfaction (B=-0.97, p<.001) were individually associated with higher suicide risk; however, their interaction was non-significant (p>.05). MST exposure and satisfaction in one’s romantic relationship have unique and separate associations with suicide risk. Relationship satisfaction did not buffer the effects of MST on suicide, and this may be due to overall poor satisfaction scores. Notwithstanding, findings highlight the need to address both MST exposure and relationship satisfaction to reduce risk of suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis systematic review sought to synthesise the qualitative literature exploring couples’ experiences of dyadic coping, when one partner has Multiple Sclerosis (MS).The review protocol was pre-registered with PROSPERO. Five databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus) were searched for relevant papers from inception to January 2024. Seven hundred and ninety three papers were screened against pre-defined inclusion criteria. Data from 11 studies (n = 204) were quality assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme qualitative checklist and included in the metasynthesisThe synthesis resulted in four themes related to couples’ experiences of coping with MS: dance of accommodation, a sense of unity, outside of us and evolving as a unit. Communication attunement was perceived as key for couples to maintain cohesion in the relationship. Developing a shared narrative around MS helped couples to align their perspectives and co-ordinate their coping. The findings suggest that many couples coped by consciously maintaining a focus in the present. The wider system of social supports also appeared to frame the couples unique dyadic coping process in specific ways.The findings from this synthesis provide support for the conceptualisation of MS as a shared experience to support couples’ rehabilitation efforts. For couples coping with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), communication attunement is a key variable for maintaining cohesion and closeness in the relationship to manage disease impact. Framing MS as a shared challenge helps couples to co-ordinate their coping response, engage in collaborative disease management and rehabilitation, and jointly undertake lifestyle adaptations.Each couple’s unique response to coping with MS should be considered within a broader ecological framework, including social and professional supports that may support rehabilitation efforts.For couples coping with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), communication attunement is a key variable for maintaining cohesion and closeness in the relationship to manage disease impact. Framing MS as a shared challenge helps couples to co-ordinate their coping response, engage in collaborative disease management and rehabilitation, and jointly undertake lifestyle adaptations.Each couple’s unique response to coping with MS should be considered within a broader ecological framework, including social and professional supports that may support rehabilitation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the impact of bipolar disorder on marital union, whether it renders the marital union intolerable, and how the clinical features of the disorder can be assessed in making this significant decision. Methods: Our study sample consists of cases of bipolar disorder sent for forensic psychiatric evaluation under Article 165 of the Turkish Civil Code to the Council of Forensic Medicine between 2013 and 2022. The sample is divided into 2 groups based on whether the marriage has ended or not. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, reasons for evaluation, previous psychiatric history, evaluation outcomes, and diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed from files accessed through the National Judiciary Network Project software. Results: Individuals with termination of marriages had a significantly higher prevalence of a history of crime and substantially higher mean number of hospitalizations compared to those with ongoing marriages (P < .05). Conclusion: In our study, we observed that despite numerous challenges, the majority of marriages involving bipolar disorder (89.6%) continued. This retrospective study aimed to identify significant clinical characteristics of bipolar disorder patients related to dissolution of marriage decisions, particularly noting links between hospitalization, criminal history, and dissolution of marriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Research Framework: This article is based on a doctoral thesis in Social Work on the development of a generic marriage preparation program within the Maronite Church in Lebanon. In this context, marriage preparation faces major challenges such as reluctance and disinterest on the part of couples, mainly as a result from insufficient adaptation to contemporary expectations.Objectives: To develop a generic marriage preparation program that meets the needs and aspirations of couples, while encouraging their active participation. The objectives of this process are to involve participants in the analysis of existing marriage preparation programs, in the study of couples’ needs, and in the design of the program.Methodology: This study is supported by a needs analysis as a program planning tool. Results from the first phase of data collection were used as the basis for the initial development of a generic marriage preparation program. The second phase featured an interactive community forum that aimed to finalize the program.Results: The analysis of current programs and couples’ needs led to the design of a program with a dual preventive and promotional focus. This program outlines the skills and learning objectives targeted, the key concepts, the content components, as well as the pedagogical and management approach. It leaves it up to the participants to adapt it according to their expertise and resources.Conclusion: Research highlights the importance of premarital preparation for contemporary couples, while stressing the importance of addressing their needs and concerns.Contributions: To offer a marriage preparation program that is adapted to the needs of contemporary couples and that incorporates motivational strategies to encourage their active commitment, and thus enhance their responsibility for the success of their marriage.

Research Framework: Existing studies agree that the work involved in managing debts and their consequences is mostly undertaken by women. We know that this debt work involves more deprivation and sacrifice, but we do not know its effects on women’s wealth.Objectives : This article identifies processes explaining the link between debt work and the decline of women’s wealth.Methodology: This article is based on 44 semi-structured interviews conducted in Switzerland with overindebted couples with or without children as part of two debt-related research projects funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (2016-2022).Results: We show that the predominance of women in debt work can be explained by the fact that it is not just financial and administrative work. It is experienced as parental and conjugal care work. Concern for and preservation of family members’ well-being, especially children, leads women to invest their own assets. Perceived as a means of doing gender in a situation of over-indebtedness by acting as a “good” mother and spouse, this work and the inequalities it produces are not called into question.Conclusion : The financialization of everyday life implies new forms of financial work, such as debt work, which reinforce wealth inequalities within the family, with men’s wealth and that of their children being preserved to the prejudice of women’s wealth. In this regard, the financial assets of each family members have different meanings, with women’s wealth becoming an adjustment variable in the event of economic difficulties, enabling family status and good family relations to be maintained.Contribution : By focusing on the financial burdens carried by women, this article offers a new approach to understanding the gendered processes involved in the constitution of wealth inequalities, which until now have focused mainly on gendered access to money and inheritance.

Abstract Background One of the most significant demographic challenges over the past three decades has been the substantial reduction in fertility rates, worldwidely. As a developing country, Iran has also experienced a rapid decline in fertility over the past decades. Understanding factors influencing fertility is essential for development programs. Moreover, it’s crucial to study the parameters that affect the intention for childbearing in any society. Therefore, through a systematic scoping review, the present study investigates the factors influencing couples’ decisions toward childbearing. Methods This study was a systematic scoping review conducted in 2023. To design and conduct this scoping review, Joanna Briggs Institute’s Protocol (Institute TJB, The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers ’ manual 2015; methodology for JBI scoping reviews, 2015) was used and the framework presented by Levac et al. (2010) was also used as a guide for conducting this review. Studies were searched in three main databases including ISI Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus, using a predefined search strategy. Google Scholar was also used for complementary search. The search period was from 2002 to 2022. Results A total of 18,454 studies were identified across three primary databases. After evaluating articles in three distinct phases based on title, abstract, and full-text, 46 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in the scoping review. The qualitative analysis of the collected data from the selected studies through the scoping review led to classifying factors influencing households’ desire for childbearing into eight main themes and 101 sub-themes. The main themes associated with factors impacting households’ intention for childbearing encompass individual determinants, demographic and familial influencing factors, cultural elements, social factors, health-related aspects, economic considerations, insurance-related variables, and government support/incentive policies. Conclusions Comprehensive and holistic attention from governments and officials toward the various factors affecting households’ intention and behavior regarding childbearing appears beneficial and effective. Furthermore, given the relative ineffectiveness of some of the current government’s supportive/incentive policies to increase couples’ desire for childbearing, it seems necessary to review and amend these policies. This review should address the most significant challenges and factors contributing to couples’ reluctance to childbearing or strengthen factors that can play a substantial role in fostering fertility and childbearing desires.

The current study draws on interviews with service users about their experiences to inform the practice of psychodynamic couple therapy for depression. Five participants, who had received at least six months of psychodynamic couple therapy in London (UK) for the treatment of severe distress and depression, completed a semi‐structured interview. They were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Data was analysed using a phenomenological approach to thematic analysis. Six themes were identified in relation to participants' experiences of couple therapy. Key aspects highlighted by participants include: the therapist, described as a 'third person', became a referee and mediated the communication within the couple, providing a different perspective, enabling a safe environment for reciprocal listening; the process of making links with the past enabled participants to understand their current behaviour as individual and dysfunctional areas as a couple; the therapist's ability to understand the couple as individuals rather than as a unified entity was key; therapist neutrality and capacity to empathise with the couple was valued by participants. The study highlighted the intertwined dynamic between relationship difficulties and depression. Participants were not able to make a clear distinction between these two experiences, and this microcosm may reflect the difficulties that clients face in accessing public services, which have historically held a more individualistic perspective of distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]