Search

Subsequent to the restriction measures taken to curb the COVID-19 infection rate, researchers theorized these would have detrimental mental health consequences. This two-wave matched-control study investigates depression and anxiety symptoms during the first 12 months of the pandemic (March 2020–March 2021) in Denmark with data from the I-SHARE and Project SEXUS studies. The I-SHARE study includes 1,302 (Time period 1 only n = 914, Time period 2 only n = 304, both time periods 1 and2 n = 84) Danish participants, and the sex and birth year-matched control participants from the Project SEXUS study comprise 9,980 Danes. During the first year of the pandemic, the study populations' anxiety and depression symptom mean levels did not significantly differ from pre-pandemic matched controls. Younger age, female gender, fewer children in the same household (depression only), lower education level, and not being in a relationship (depression only) were associated with increased anxiety and depression symptom scores. The key COVID-19-related variable linked with significantly higher anxiety and depression symptom scores was COVID-19-related loss of income. Contrary to initial concerns, we did not find a significant effect of the pandemic on anxiety and depression symptom scores. However, the results underscore the importance of structural resources to prevent income loss to safeguard mental health during crises such as a pandemic., Subsequent to the restriction measures taken to curb the COVID-19 infection rate, researchers theorized these would have detrimental mental health consequences. This two-wave matched-control study investigates depression and anxiety symptoms during the first 12 months of the pandemic (March 2020–March 2021) in Denmark with data from the I-SHARE and Project SEXUS studies. The I-SHARE study includes 1,302 (Time period 1 only n = 914, Time period 2 only n = 304, both time periods 1 and2 n = 84) Danish participants, and the sex and birth year-matched control participants from the Project SEXUS study comprise 9,980 Danes. During the first year of the pandemic, the study populations' anxiety and depression symptom mean levels did not significantly differ from pre-pandemic matched controls. Younger age, female gender, fewer children in the same household (depression only), lower education level, and not being in a relationship (depression only) were associated with increased anxiety and depression symptom scores. The key COVID-19-related variable linked with significantly higher anxiety and depression symptom scores was COVID-19-related loss of income. Contrary to initial concerns, we did not find a significant effect of the pandemic on anxiety and depression symptom scores. However, the results underscore the importance of structural resources to prevent income loss to safeguard mental health during crises such as a pandemic.

Divorce interventions have been found effective in reducing negative outcomes for newly divorced people, including depression and hostility. Typically, divorce interventions cover a variety of issues that may influence people's level of depression and hostility. However, it is unclear whether the interventions differentially affect the outcomes. That is, it may be that intervention participation leads to a reduction in depression, which is associated with a prospective reduction in hostility - or vice versa. The current study used a sample of 1,856 recently divorced Danes, who completed questionnaires at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-month post-divorce. Structural equation modeling revealed that while depression and hostility were concurrently associated, there were no prospective associations, except for baseline depression predicting 3-month hostility. Moreover, the associations did not differ by gender. The results suggest that the intervention content may have influenced both depression and hostility. These findings may be useful in guiding future divorce intervention developments.

Introduction This study investigated whether the Big Five personality dimensions were associated with mental health trajectories and/or intervention effects of a digital divorce intervention from juridical divorce to 12 months following juridical divorce. The study utilized a randomized controlled trial study design (N = 676) and measured mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, somatization, and stress) at study inclusion (i.e., at juridical divorce) and 3-, 6-, and 12 months after juridical divorce. Big Five personality dimensions were measured 1 month post study inclusion. Results The study found that neuroticism is the personality dimension most predictive of post-divorce mental health outcomes. Specifically, divorcees with higher neuroticism scores indicated worse mental health immediately following divorce, but their symptom levels decreased more rapidly over a 12 months period after juridical divorce compared with lower neuroticism divorcees. It is also notable that their mean scores for the mental health outcomes remained higher at all time points (3, 6, and 12 months post baseline), relative to those lower in neuroticism. Conclusion Findings are discussed in light of divorce-adjustment-theory and the stress-buffering model.

Divorce conflict is the main driver of adverse postdivorce health adjustments among divorcing families. Despite the growing potential of online divorce support programs, there is concern that such solutions might not be sufficient to impact health-related disparities among high-conflict divorcees. The present study examined the effectiveness of the digital "Cooperation after Divorce" intervention as a function of conflict among 1856 recently divorced Danish residents. Linear mixed-effect regression modeling suggested that, although higher levels of divorce conflict at judicial divorce predicted worse health outcomes up to 1 year following divorce, the effectiveness of the digital divorce intervention did not vary as a function of the initial level of divorce conflict. Individuals in the intervention group with higher conflict in divorce still reported worse health at 12 months follow-up than those with lower levels of divorce conflict; however, much lower than the control group.

This national web-population study from Norway (N = 4,148) assessed 1) the prevalence of BDSM and role-play interests and behaviors, 2) the socio-demographic characteristics of the BDSM-oriented participants, and 3) the associations between a) BDSM and b) role-play interests and behaviors, and sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and relationship closeness. Over one in three study participants endorsed at least one BDSM interest or behavior variable. There were no gender nor educational level differences between the BDSM-oriented participants and their traditional "vanilla" (non-BDSM-oriented) counterparts, though BDSM and interests were more common among younger and self-identified LGBQ+ participants. Sexual satisfaction was positively associated with role-play and BDSM behaviors while interest in role-play (but not having previously engaged in it) was negatively associated with this outcome. Lower relationship closeness was associated with an interest in role-play (but not having tried it). No BDSM-related variables were significantly associated with relationship closeness. The findings suggest that BDSM interests and behaviors are relatively common and are linked with sexual and relationship satisfaction.

Background In divorce research, studies using large samples, very recently divorced individuals and validated measures of depression and anxiety with available background populations for comparison are missing. Aims This study aimed to investigate symptoms of depression and anxiety among recently divorced Danes and assess the explanatory power of relevant sociodemographic- and divorce-related variables on these symptoms. Methods The study utilized an online cross-sectional design and a total of 1856 Danish citizens recruited through the Danish State Administration. Average scores for depression and anxiety were compared to the Danish background population and regression analyses were conducted to assess the explanatory power of sociodemographic- and divorce characteristics on symptoms of depression and anxiety. Results Divorcees reported significantly higher levels of both depressive and anxiety symptoms than the background population with a large proportion of the sample scoring equal to or higher than generally recommended cut-off values for risk of suffering from a psychiatric diagnosable case of depression or anxiety. Both sociodemographic- and divorce characteristics were predictive of symptoms of depression and anxiety. Conclusion The findings underline the relevance of public health intervention targeting symptoms of depression and anxiety among recently divorced individuals.

Sensory impairment is common in older age and may be associated with intra- and interpersonal struggles. Treatment and intervention efforts may be hampered by functional difficulties or unwillingness to receive face-to-face mental health services. The current study seeks to assess the efficacy of an online psychological intervention for older adults with sensory loss and their spouses in Denmark, using a two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial study design. Participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention group or waiting list control group. The intervention consists of four digital, sequential modules that contain psycho-education and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy inspired therapeutic activities. Individuals will be assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks post-baseline, and for the intervention group only, at 18-weeks. The outcomes are well-being (primary), relationship satisfaction (secondary), and depressive symptoms (tertiary). The data will be analyzed using multilevel modeling to account for non-independence of data (nesting within participant and within couple). This is the first randomized controlled trial study of an online psychological intervention for older adults with sensory loss and their spouses and it will provide valuable knowledge regarding whether internet-delivered intervention is effective for this population group.

The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of extradyadic activity in older adults in four European countries and investigate factors associated with extradyadic sex. Postal questionnaire data were collected in probability samples among populations aged 60–75 years in Norway (N = 1271), Denmark (N = 1045), Belgium (N = 991), and Portugal (N = 509). Across the different countries, 1–4% of participants reported having had their last sexual intercourse with someone other than their regular partner. The multivariate logistic regression analysis for men showed that extradyadic sex was 2.5 times higher for every unit increase in not sharing sexual likes and dislikes with their regular partner, and 1.5 times higher for every unit increase in relationship unhappiness. Extradyadic activity decreased by a factor of 0.71 for every unit increase in the regular partner (not) having had sexual difficulties. Compared to Norwegian men, Belgian men had a 70% lower likelihood of having had extradyadic sex. In women, only one significant association emerged: extradyadic sex was 2.5 times higher for every unit increase in (not) perceiving intimacy with their regular partner.