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3. Modernization, collectivism, and gender equality predict love experiences in 45 countries

Author

Sorokowski, P., Kowal, M., Sternberg, R. J., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Asao, K., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Conroy-Beam, D., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Buss, D. M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Frackowiak, T., Garduno, J. C., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Ha, T. T. K., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Kostic, A., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Linh, T. T., Lopez, Giulia, Van Luot, N., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Pejicic, M., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, A. F., Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Shahid, A., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Tadinac, M., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Walter, K. V., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Sorokowska, A., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636), Sorokowski, P., Kowal, M., Sternberg, R. J., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Asao, K., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Conroy-Beam, D., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Buss, D. M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Frackowiak, T., Garduno, J. C., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Ha, T. T. K., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Kostic, A., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Linh, T. T., Lopez, Giulia, Van Luot, N., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Pejicic, M., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, A. F., Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Shahid, A., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Tadinac, M., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Walter, K. V., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Sorokowska, A., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), and Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636)

Abstract

Recent cross-cultural and neuro-hormonal investigations have suggested that love is a near universal phenomenon that has a biological background. Therefore, the remaining important question is not whether love exists worldwide but which cultural, social, or environmental factors influence experiences and expressions of love. In the present study, we explored whether countries’ modernization indexes are related to love experiences measured by three subscales (passion, intimacy, commitment) of the Triangular Love Scale. Analyzing data from 9474 individuals from 45 countries, we tested for relationships with country-level predictors, namely, modernization proxies (i.e., Human Development Index, World Modernization Index, Gender Inequality Index), collectivism, and average annual temperatures. We found that mean levels of love (especially intimacy) were higher in countries with higher modernization proxies, collectivism, and average annual temperatures. In conclusion, our results grant some support to the hypothesis that modernization processes might influence love experiences.

Published
2023

4. Body appreciation around the world: Measurement invariance of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age

Author

Swami, V., Tran, U. S., Stieger, S., Aavik, T., Ranjbar, H. A., Adebayo, S. O., Afhami, R., Ahmed, O., Aimé, A., Akel, M., Halbusi, H. A., Alexias, G., Ali, K. F., Alp-Dal, N., Alsalhani, A. B., Álvares-Solas, S., Amaral, A. C. S., Andrianto, S., Aspden, T., Argyrides, M., Aruta, J. J. B. R., Atkin, S., Ayandele, O., Baceviciene, M., Bahbouh, R., Ballesio, A., Barron, D., Bellard, A., Bender, S. S., Beydağ, K. D., Birovljević, G., Blackburn, M. È, Borja-Alvarez, T., Borowiec, J., Bozogáňová, M., Bratland-Sanda, S., Browning, M. H. E. M., Brytek-Matera, A., Burakova, M., Çakır-Koçak, Y., Camacho, P., Camilleri, V. E., Cazzato, V., Cerea, S., Chaiwutikornwanich, A., Chaleeraktrakoon, T., Chambers, T., Chen, Q. W., Chen, X., Chien, C. L., Chobthamkit, P., Choompunuch, B., Compte, E. J., Corrigan, J., Cosmas, G., Cowden, R. G., Czepczor-Bernat, K., Czub, M., da Silva, W. R., Dadfar, M., Dalley, S. E., Dany, L., Datu, J. A. D., Berbert de Carvalho, P. H., Coelho, G. L. D. H., De Jesus, A. O. S., Debbabi, S. H., Dhakal, S., Di Bernardo, F., Dimitrova, D. D., Dion, J., Dixson, B., Donofrio, S. M., Drysch, M., Du, H., Dzhambov, A. M., El-Jor, C., Enea, V., Eskin, M., Farbod, F., Farrugia, L., Fian, L., Fisher, M. L., Folwarczny, M., Frederick, D. A., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., Furnham, A., García, A. A., Geller, S., Ghisi, M., Ghorbani, A., Martinez, M. A. G., Gradidge, S., Graf, S., Grano, C., Gyene, G., Hallit, S., Hamdan, M., Handelzalts, J. E., Hanel, P. H. P., Hawks, S. R., Hekmati, I., Helmy, M., Hill, T., Hina, F., Holenweger, G., Hřebíčková, M., Ijabadeniyi, O. A., Imam, A., İnce, B., Irrazabal, N., Jankauskiene, R., Jiang, D. Y., Jiménez-Borja, M., Jiménez-Borja, V., Johnson, E. M., Jovanović, V., Jović, M., Junqueira, A. C. P., Kahle, L. M., Kantanista, A., Karakiraz, A., Karkin, A. N., Kasten, E., Khatib, S., Khieowan, N., Kimong, P. J., Kiropoulos, L., Knittel, J., Kohli, N., Koprivnik, M., Kospakov, A., Król-Zielińska, M., Krug, I., Kuan, G., Kueh, Y. C., Kujan, O., Kukić, M., Kumar, S., Kumar, V., Lamba, N., Lauri, M. A., Laus, M. F., LeBlanc, L. A., Lee, H. J., Lipowska, M., Lipowski, M., Lombardo, C., Lukács, A., Maïano, C., Malik, S., Manjary, M., Baldó, L. M., Martinez-Banfi, M., Massar, K., Matera, C., McAnirlin, O., Mebarak, M. R., Mechri, A., Meireles, J. F. F., Mesko, N., Mills, J., Miyairi, M., Modi, R., Modrzejewska, A., Modrzejewska, J., Mulgrew, K. E., Myers, T. A., Namatame, H., Nassani, M. Z., Nerini, A., Neto, F., Neto, J., Neves, A. N., Ng, S. K., Nithiya, D., O, J., Obeid, S., Oda-Montecinos, C., Olapegba, P. O., Olonisakin, T. T., Omar, S. S., Örlygsdóttir, B., Özsoy, E., Otterbring, T., Pahl, S., Panasiti, M. S., Park, Y., Patwary, M. M., Pethö, T., Petrova, N., Pietschnig, J., Pourmahmoud, S., Prabhu, V. G., Poštuvan, V., Prokop, P., Ramseyer Winter, V. L., Razmus, M., Ru, T., Rupar, M., Sahlan, R. N., Hassan, M. S., Šalov, A., Sapkota, S., Sarfo, J. O., Sawamiya, Y., Schaefer, K., Schulte-Mecklenbeck, M., Seekis, V., Selvi, K., Sharifi, M., Shrivastava, A., Siddique, R. F., Sigurdsson, V., Silkane, V., Šimunić, A., Singh, G., Slezáčková, A., Sundgot-Borgen, C., Ten Hoor, G., Tevichapong, P., Tipandjan, A., Todd, J., Togas, C., Tonini, F., Tovar-Castro, J. C., Trangsrud, L. K. J., Tripathi, P., Tudorel, O., Tylka, T. L., Uyzbayeva, A., Vally, Z., Vanags, E., Vega, L. D., Vicente-Arruebarrena, A., Vidal-Mollón, J., Vilar, R., Villegas, H., Vintilă, M., Wallner, C., White, M. P., Whitebridge, S., Windhager, S., Wong, K. Y., Yau, E. K., Yamamiya, Y., Yeung, V. W. L., Zanetti, M. C., Zawisza, M., Zeeni, N., Zvaríková, M., Voracek, M., Swami, V., Tran, U. S., Stieger, S., Aavik, T., Ranjbar, H. A., Adebayo, S. O., Afhami, R., Ahmed, O., Aimé, A., Akel, M., Halbusi, H. A., Alexias, G., Ali, K. F., Alp-Dal, N., Alsalhani, A. B., Álvares-Solas, S., Amaral, A. C. S., Andrianto, S., Aspden, T., Argyrides, M., Aruta, J. J. B. R., Atkin, S., Ayandele, O., Baceviciene, M., Bahbouh, R., Ballesio, A., Barron, D., Bellard, A., Bender, S. S., Beydağ, K. D., Birovljević, G., Blackburn, M. È, Borja-Alvarez, T., Borowiec, J., Bozogáňová, M., Bratland-Sanda, S., Browning, M. H. E. M., Brytek-Matera, A., Burakova, M., Çakır-Koçak, Y., Camacho, P., Camilleri, V. E., Cazzato, V., Cerea, S., Chaiwutikornwanich, A., Chaleeraktrakoon, T., Chambers, T., Chen, Q. W., Chen, X., Chien, C. L., Chobthamkit, P., Choompunuch, B., Compte, E. J., Corrigan, J., Cosmas, G., Cowden, R. G., Czepczor-Bernat, K., Czub, M., da Silva, W. R., Dadfar, M., Dalley, S. E., Dany, L., Datu, J. A. D., Berbert de Carvalho, P. H., Coelho, G. L. D. H., De Jesus, A. O. S., Debbabi, S. H., Dhakal, S., Di Bernardo, F., Dimitrova, D. D., Dion, J., Dixson, B., Donofrio, S. M., Drysch, M., Du, H., Dzhambov, A. M., El-Jor, C., Enea, V., Eskin, M., Farbod, F., Farrugia, L., Fian, L., Fisher, M. L., Folwarczny, M., Frederick, D. A., Fuller-Tyszkiewicz, M., Furnham, A., García, A. A., Geller, S., Ghisi, M., Ghorbani, A., Martinez, M. A. G., Gradidge, S., Graf, S., Grano, C., Gyene, G., Hallit, S., Hamdan, M., Handelzalts, J. E., Hanel, P. H. P., Hawks, S. R., Hekmati, I., Helmy, M., Hill, T., Hina, F., Holenweger, G., Hřebíčková, M., Ijabadeniyi, O. A., Imam, A., İnce, B., Irrazabal, N., Jankauskiene, R., Jiang, D. Y., Jiménez-Borja, M., Jiménez-Borja, V., Johnson, E. M., Jovanović, V., Jović, M., Junqueira, A. C. P., Kahle, L. M., Kantanista, A., Karakiraz, A., Karkin, A. N., Kasten, E., Khatib, S., Khieowan, N., Kimong, P. J., Kiropoulos, L., Knittel, J., Kohli, N., Koprivnik, M., Kospakov, A., Król-Zielińska, M., Krug, I., Kuan, G., Kueh, Y. C., Kujan, O., Kukić, M., Kumar, S., Kumar, V., Lamba, N., Lauri, M. A., Laus, M. F., LeBlanc, L. A., Lee, H. J., Lipowska, M., Lipowski, M., Lombardo, C., Lukács, A., Maïano, C., Malik, S., Manjary, M., Baldó, L. M., Martinez-Banfi, M., Massar, K., Matera, C., McAnirlin, O., Mebarak, M. R., Mechri, A., Meireles, J. F. F., Mesko, N., Mills, J., Miyairi, M., Modi, R., Modrzejewska, A., Modrzejewska, J., Mulgrew, K. E., Myers, T. A., Namatame, H., Nassani, M. Z., Nerini, A., Neto, F., Neto, J., Neves, A. N., Ng, S. K., Nithiya, D., O, J., Obeid, S., Oda-Montecinos, C., Olapegba, P. O., Olonisakin, T. T., Omar, S. S., Örlygsdóttir, B., Özsoy, E., Otterbring, T., Pahl, S., Panasiti, M. S., Park, Y., Patwary, M. M., Pethö, T., Petrova, N., Pietschnig, J., Pourmahmoud, S., Prabhu, V. G., Poštuvan, V., Prokop, P., Ramseyer Winter, V. L., Razmus, M., Ru, T., Rupar, M., Sahlan, R. N., Hassan, M. S., Šalov, A., Sapkota, S., Sarfo, J. O., Sawamiya, Y., Schaefer, K., Schulte-Mecklenbeck, M., Seekis, V., Selvi, K., Sharifi, M., Shrivastava, A., Siddique, R. F., Sigurdsson, V., Silkane, V., Šimunić, A., Singh, G., Slezáčková, A., Sundgot-Borgen, C., Ten Hoor, G., Tevichapong, P., Tipandjan, A., Todd, J., Togas, C., Tonini, F., Tovar-Castro, J. C., Trangsrud, L. K. J., Tripathi, P., Tudorel, O., Tylka, T. L., Uyzbayeva, A., Vally, Z., Vanags, E., Vega, L. D., Vicente-Arruebarrena, A., Vidal-Mollón, J., Vilar, R., Villegas, H., Vintilă, M., Wallner, C., White, M. P., Whitebridge, S., Windhager, S., Wong, K. Y., Yau, E. K., Yamamiya, Y., Yeung, V. W. L., Zanetti, M. C., Zawisza, M., Zeeni, N., Zvaríková, M., and Voracek, M.

Abstract

The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a widely used measure of a core facet of the positive body image construct. However, extant research concerning measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across a large number of nations remains limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset – with data collected between 2020 and 2022 – to assess measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated that full scalar invariance was upheld across all nations, languages, gender identities, and age groups, suggesting that the unidimensional BAS-2 model has widespread applicability. There were large differences across nations and languages in latent body appreciation, while differences across gender identities and age groups were negligible-to-small. Additionally, greater body appreciation was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, being single (versus being married or in a committed relationship), and greater rurality (versus urbanicity). Across a subset of nations where nation-level data were available, greater body appreciation was also significantly associated with greater cultural distance from the United States and greater relative income inequality. These findings suggest that the BAS-2 likely captures a near-universal conceptualisation of the body appreciation construct, which should facilitate further cross-cultural research.

Published
2023

5. Factors Associated With Highest Symptoms of Anxiety During COVID-19: Cross-Cultural Study of 23 Countries

Author

Burkova, V. N., Butovskaya, M. L., Randall, A. K., Fedenok, J. N., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., Allami, F. B. M., Alpaslan, F. S., Al-Zu'bi, M. A. A., Al-Mseidin, K. I. M., Bicer, D. F., Cetinkaya, H., David, O. A., Donato, Silvia, Dural, S., Erickson, P., Ermakov, A. M., Ertugrul, B., Fayankinnu, E. A., Fisher, M. L., Al Gharaibeh, F., Hocker, L., Hromatko, I., Kasparova, E., Kavina, A., Khatatbeh, Y. M., Khun-Inkeeree, H., Kline, K. M., Koc, F., Kolodkin, V., Maceacheron, M., Maruf, I. R., Mesko, N., Mkrtchyan, R., Nurisnaeny, P. S., Ojedokun, O., Adebayo, D., Omar-Fauzee, M. S. B., Ozener, B., Ponciano, E. L. T., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Spodina, V. I., Stoyanova, S., Tripathi, N., Upadhyay, S., Weisfeld, C., Yaakob, M. F. M., Yusof, M. R., Zinurova, R. I., Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), Burkova, V. N., Butovskaya, M. L., Randall, A. K., Fedenok, J. N., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., Allami, F. B. M., Alpaslan, F. S., Al-Zu'bi, M. A. A., Al-Mseidin, K. I. M., Bicer, D. F., Cetinkaya, H., David, O. A., Donato, Silvia, Dural, S., Erickson, P., Ermakov, A. M., Ertugrul, B., Fayankinnu, E. A., Fisher, M. L., Al Gharaibeh, F., Hocker, L., Hromatko, I., Kasparova, E., Kavina, A., Khatatbeh, Y. M., Khun-Inkeeree, H., Kline, K. M., Koc, F., Kolodkin, V., Maceacheron, M., Maruf, I. R., Mesko, N., Mkrtchyan, R., Nurisnaeny, P. S., Ojedokun, O., Adebayo, D., Omar-Fauzee, M. S. B., Ozener, B., Ponciano, E. L. T., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Spodina, V. I., Stoyanova, S., Tripathi, N., Upadhyay, S., Weisfeld, C., Yaakob, M. F. M., Yusof, M. R., Zinurova, R. I., and Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604)

Abstract

The COVID-19 restrictions have impacted people’s lifestyles in all spheres (social, psychological, political, economic, and others). This study explored which factors affected the level of anxiety during the time of the first wave of COVID-19 and subsequent quarantine in a substantial proportion of 23 countries, included in this study. The data was collected from May to August 2020 (5 June 2020). The sample included 15,375 participants from 23 countries: (seven from Europe: Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Russia; 11 from West, South and Southeast Asia: Armenia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey; two African: Nigeria and Tanzania; and three from North, South, and Central America: Brazil, Canada, United States). Level of anxiety was measured by means of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 20-item first part of The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)—State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). Respondents were also asked about their personal experiences with COVID-19, attitudes toward measures introduced by governments, changes in attitudes toward migrants during a pandemic, family income, isolation conditions, etc. The factor analysis revealed that four factors explained 45.08% of variance in increase of anxiety, and these components were interpreted as follows: (1) personal awareness of the threat of COVID-19, (2) personal reaction toward officially undertaken measures and attitudes to foreigners, (3) personal trust in official sources, (4) personal experience with COVID-19. Three out of four factors demonstrated strong associations with both scales of anxiety: high level of anxiety was significantly correlated with high level of personal awareness of the threat of COVID-19, low level of personal reaction toward officially undertaken measures and attitudes to foreigners, and high level of presence of personal experience with COVID-19. Our study revealed significant main effects

Published
2022

6. Cross-cultural perspectives on the role of empathy during COVID-19’s first wave

Author

Butovskaya, M. L., Burkova, V. N., Randall, A. K., Donato, Silvia, Fedenok, J. N., Hocker, L., Kline, K. M., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., Mutsher Allami, F. B., Alpaslan, F. S., Abdelaziz Al-Zu'Bi, M. A., Bicer, D. F., Cetinkaya, H., David, O. A., Dural, S., Erickson, P., Ermakov, A. M., Ertugrul, B., Fayankinnu, E. A., Fisher, M. L., Hromatko, I., Kasparova, E., Kavina, A., Khun-Inkeeree, H., Koc, F., Kolodkin, V., Maceacheron, M., Maruf, I. R., Mesko, N., Mkrtchyan, R., Nurisnaeny, P. S., Ojedokun, O., Adebayo, D., Omar-Fauzee, M. S. B., Ozener, B., Tinoco Ponciano, E. L., Popov, I. V., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Spodina, V. I., Stoyanova, S., Tripathi, N., Upadhyay, S., Weisfeld, C., Mohd Yaakob, M. F., Yusof, M. R., Zinurova, R. I., Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), Butovskaya, M. L., Burkova, V. N., Randall, A. K., Donato, Silvia, Fedenok, J. N., Hocker, L., Kline, K. M., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., Mutsher Allami, F. B., Alpaslan, F. S., Abdelaziz Al-Zu'Bi, M. A., Bicer, D. F., Cetinkaya, H., David, O. A., Dural, S., Erickson, P., Ermakov, A. M., Ertugrul, B., Fayankinnu, E. A., Fisher, M. L., Hromatko, I., Kasparova, E., Kavina, A., Khun-Inkeeree, H., Koc, F., Kolodkin, V., Maceacheron, M., Maruf, I. R., Mesko, N., Mkrtchyan, R., Nurisnaeny, P. S., Ojedokun, O., Adebayo, D., Omar-Fauzee, M. S. B., Ozener, B., Tinoco Ponciano, E. L., Popov, I. V., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Spodina, V. I., Stoyanova, S., Tripathi, N., Upadhyay, S., Weisfeld, C., Mohd Yaakob, M. F., Yusof, M. R., Zinurova, R. I., and Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the world, and concerns about psychological, social, and economic consequences are growing rapidly. Individuals’ empathy-based reactions towards others may be an important resilience factor in the face of COVID-19. Self-report data from 15,375 participants across 23 countries were collected from May to August 2020 during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, this study examined different facets of empathy—Perspective-Taking, Empathic Concern, and Personal Distress, and their association with cross-cultural ratings on Individualism, Power Distance, The Human Development Index, Social Support Ranking, and the Infectious Disease Vulnerability Index, as well as the currently confirmed number of cases of COVID-19 at the time of data collection. The highest ratings on Perspective-Taking were obtained for USA, Brazil, Italy, Croatia, and Armenia (from maximum to minimum); on Empathetic Concern, for the USA, Brazil, Hungary, Italy, and Indonesia; and on Personal Distress, from Brazil, Turkey, Italy, Armenia, Indonesia. Results also present associations between demographic factors and empathy across countries. Limitations and future directions are presented.

Published
2021

7. Sex differences in human mate preferences vary across sex ratios

Author

Walter, K. V., Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Atama, C. S., Duyar, D. A., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Fang, L., Frackowiak, T., Garduno, J. C., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Gyuris, P., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Ottesen Kennair, L. E., Kervyn, N., Khanh Ha, T. T., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Linh, T. T., Lopez, Giulia, Luot, N. V., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Niemczyk, A., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Stoyanova, S. Y., Tadinac, M., Correa Varella, M. A., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zatkova, M. M., Zupancic, M., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636), Walter, K. V., Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Atama, C. S., Duyar, D. A., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Fang, L., Frackowiak, T., Garduno, J. C., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Gyuris, P., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Ottesen Kennair, L. E., Kervyn, N., Khanh Ha, T. T., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Linh, T. T., Lopez, Giulia, Luot, N. V., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Niemczyk, A., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Stoyanova, S. Y., Tadinac, M., Correa Varella, M. A., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zatkova, M. M., Zupancic, M., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), and Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636)

Abstract

A wide range of literature connects sex ratio and mating behaviours in non-human animals. However, research examining sex ratio and human mating is limited in scope. Prior work has examined the relationship between sex ratio and desire for short-term, uncommitted mating as well as outcomes such as marriage and divorce rates. Less empirical attention has been directed towards the relationship between sex ratio and mate preferences, despite the importance of mate preferences in the human mating literature. To address this gap, we examined sex ratio's relationship to the variation in preferences for attractiveness, resources, kindness, intelligence and health in a long-term mate across 45 countries (n = 14 487). We predicted that mate preferences would vary according to relative power of choice on the mating market, with increased power derived from having relatively few competitors and numerous potential mates. We found that each sex tended to report more demanding preferences for attractiveness and resources where the opposite sex was abundant, compared to where the opposite sex was scarce. This pattern dovetails with those found for mating strategies in humans and mate preferences across species, highlighting the importance of sex ratio for understanding variation in human mate preferences.

Published
2021

8. Universality of the Triangular Theory of Love: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Triangular Love Scale in 25 Countries

Author

Sorokowski, P., Sorokowska, A., Karwowski, M., Groyecka, A., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Asao, K., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Buss, D. M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Chabin, D., Conroy-Beam, D., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Frackowiak, T., Graduno, J. C., Guemaz, F., Ha Thu, T., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Kobis, N. C., Kostic, A., Krasnodebska, A., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Lopez, Giulia, Alhabahba, M. M., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Sainz Martinez, M., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pawlowski, B., Pazhoohi, F., Pejicic, M., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Plohl, N., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Przepiorka, A., Quang Lam, T., Rizwan, M., Rozycka-Tran, J., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Shahid, A., Shaikh, R., Sharad, S., Simonetti, F., Tadinac, M., Thi Khanh Ha, T., Ugalde Gonzalez, K., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Wojciszke, B., Yoo, G., Zadeh, Z. F., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Sternberg, R. J., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636), Sorokowski, P., Sorokowska, A., Karwowski, M., Groyecka, A., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Asao, K., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Buss, D. M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Chabin, D., Conroy-Beam, D., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Frackowiak, T., Graduno, J. C., Guemaz, F., Ha Thu, T., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Kobis, N. C., Kostic, A., Krasnodebska, A., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Lopez, Giulia, Alhabahba, M. M., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Sainz Martinez, M., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pawlowski, B., Pazhoohi, F., Pejicic, M., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Plohl, N., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Przepiorka, A., Quang Lam, T., Rizwan, M., Rozycka-Tran, J., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Shahid, A., Shaikh, R., Sharad, S., Simonetti, F., Tadinac, M., Thi Khanh Ha, T., Ugalde Gonzalez, K., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Wojciszke, B., Yoo, G., Zadeh, Z. F., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Sternberg, R. J., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), and Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636)

Abstract

The Triangular Theory of Love (measured with Sternberg’s Triangular Love Scale–STLS) is a prominent theoretical concept in empirical research on love. To expand the culturally homogeneous body of previous psychometric research regarding the STLS, we conducted a large-scale cross-cultural study with the use of this scale. In total, we examined more than 11,000 respondents, but as a result of applied exclusion criteria, the final analyses were based on a sample of 7332 participants from 25 countries (from all inhabited continents). We tested configural invariance, metric invariance, and scalar invariance, all of which confirmed the cultural universality of the theoretical construct of love analyzed in our study. We also observed that levels of love components differ depending on relationship duration, following the dynamics suggested in the Triangular Theory of Love. Supplementary files with all our data, including results on love intensity across different countries along with STLS versions adapted in a few dozen languages, will further enable more extensive research on the Triangular Theory of Love.

Published
2021

9. Predictors of anxiety in the COVID-19 pandemic from a global perspective: Data from 23 countries

Author

Burkova, V. N., Butovskaya, M. L., Randall, A. K., Fedenok, J. N., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., Allami, F. B. M., Alpaslan, F. S., Al-Zu'bi, M. A. A., Bicer, D. F., Cetinkaya, H., David, O. A., Donato, Silvia, Dural, S., Erickson, P., Ermakov, A. M., Ertugrul, B., Fayankinnu, E. A., Fisher, M. L., Hocker, L., Hromatko, I., Kasparova, E., Kavina, A., Khatatbeh, Y. M., Khun-Inkeeree, H., Kline, K. M., Koc, F., Kolodkin, V., Maceacheron, M., Maruf, I. R., Mesko, N., Mkrtchyan, R., Nurisnaeny, P. S., Ojedokun, O., Omar-Fauzee, M. S. B., Ozener, B., Ponciano, E. L. T., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Spodina, V. I., Stoyanova, S., Tripathi, N., Upadhyay, S., Weisfeld, C., Yaakob, M. F. M., Yusof, M. R., Zinurova, R. I., Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), Burkova, V. N., Butovskaya, M. L., Randall, A. K., Fedenok, J. N., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., Allami, F. B. M., Alpaslan, F. S., Al-Zu'bi, M. A. A., Bicer, D. F., Cetinkaya, H., David, O. A., Donato, Silvia, Dural, S., Erickson, P., Ermakov, A. M., Ertugrul, B., Fayankinnu, E. A., Fisher, M. L., Hocker, L., Hromatko, I., Kasparova, E., Kavina, A., Khatatbeh, Y. M., Khun-Inkeeree, H., Kline, K. M., Koc, F., Kolodkin, V., Maceacheron, M., Maruf, I. R., Mesko, N., Mkrtchyan, R., Nurisnaeny, P. S., Ojedokun, O., Omar-Fauzee, M. S. B., Ozener, B., Ponciano, E. L. T., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Spodina, V. I., Stoyanova, S., Tripathi, N., Upadhyay, S., Weisfeld, C., Yaakob, M. F. M., Yusof, M. R., Zinurova, R. I., and Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604)

Abstract

Prior and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have resulted in substantial changes to everyday life. The pandemic and measures of its control affect mental health negatively. Self-reported data from 15,375 participants from 23 countries were collected from May to August 2020 during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two questionnaires measuring anxiety level were used in this study—the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). The associations between a set of social indicators on anxiety during COVID-19 (e.g., sex, age, country, live alone) were tested as well. Self-reported anxiety during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic varied across countries, with the maximum levels reported for Brazil, Canada, Italy, Iraq and the USA. Sex differences of anxiety levels during COVID-19 were also examined, and results showed women reported higher levels of anxiety compared to men. Overall, our results demonstrated that the self-reported symptoms of anxiety were higher compared to those reported in general before pandemic. We conclude that such cultural dimensions as individualism/collectivism, power distance and looseness/tightness may function as protective adaptive mechanisms against the development of anxiety disorders in a pandemic situation.

Published
2021

10. Affective Interpersonal Touch in Close Relationships: A Cross-Cultural Perspective

Author

Sorokowska, A., Saluja, S., Sorokowski, P., Frackowiak, T., Karwowski, M., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Asao, K., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Buss, D. M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Chabin, D., Conroy-Beam, D., Contreras-Graduno, J., Varella, M. A. C., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Esteves, C. S., Guemaz, F., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N. O., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Kostic, A., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Lopez, Giulia, Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pejicic, M., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Plohl, N., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Shahid, A., Shaikh, R., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Tadinac, M., Ugalde Gonzalez, K., Uhryn, O., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega Araya, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zadeh, Z. F., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Croy, I., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636), Sorokowska, A., Saluja, S., Sorokowski, P., Frackowiak, T., Karwowski, M., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Asao, K., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Buss, D. M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Chabin, D., Conroy-Beam, D., Contreras-Graduno, J., Varella, M. A. C., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Esteves, C. S., Guemaz, F., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N. O., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Kostic, A., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Lopez, Giulia, Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pejicic, M., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Plohl, N., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Shahid, A., Shaikh, R., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Tadinac, M., Ugalde Gonzalez, K., Uhryn, O., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega Araya, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zadeh, Z. F., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Croy, I., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), and Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636)

Abstract

Interpersonal touch behavior differs across cultures, yet no study to date has systematically tested for cultural variation in affective touch, nor examined the factors that might account for this variability. Here, over 14,000 individuals from 45 countries were asked whether they embraced, stroked, kissed, or hugged their partner, friends, and youngest child during the week preceding the study. We then examined a range of hypothesized individual-level factors (sex, age, parasitic history, conservatism, religiosity, and preferred interpersonal distance) and cultural-level factors (regional temperature, parasite stress, regional conservatism, collectivism, and religiosity) in predicting these affective-touching behaviors. Our results indicate that affective touch was most prevalent in relationships with partners and children, and its diversity was relatively higher in warmer, less conservative, and religious countries, and among younger, female, and liberal people. This research allows for a broad and integrated view of the bases of cross-cultural variability in affective touch.

Published
2021

12. Global perspective on marital satisfaction

Author

Dobrowolska, M., Groyecka-Bernard, A., Sorokowski, P., Randall, A. K., Hilpert, P., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., Aryeetey, R., Bertoni, Anna Marta Maria, Bettache, K., Blazejewska, M., Bodenmann, G., Bortolini, T. S., Bosc, C., Butovskaya, M., Castro, F. N., Cetinkaya, H., Cunha, D., David, D., David, O. A., Dileym, F. A., Dominguez Espinosa, A. C., Donato, Silvia, Dronova, D., Dural, S., Fisher, M., Frackowiak, T., Akkaya, A. H., Hamamura, T., Hansen, K., Hattori, W. T., Hromatko, I., Gulbetekin, E., Iafrate, Raffaella, James, B., Jiang, F., Kimamo, C. O., Koc, F., Krasnodebska, A., Lopes, F. A., Martinez, R., Mesko, N., Molodovskaya, N., Qezeli, K. M., Motahari, Z., Natividade, J. C., Ntayi, J., Ojedokun, O., Omar-Fauzee, M. S. B., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Paluszak, A., Portugal, A., Realo, A., Relvas, A. P., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Salkicevic, S., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Stamkou, E., Stoyanova, S., Sukolova, D., Sutresna, N., Tadinac, M., Teras, A., Ponciano, E. L. T., Tripathi, R., Tripathi, N., Tripathi, M., Yamamoto, M. E., Yoo, G., Sorokowska, A., Bertoni A. (ORCID:0000-0001-7228-8718), Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), Iafrate R. (ORCID:0000-0003-1311-8983), Dobrowolska, M., Groyecka-Bernard, A., Sorokowski, P., Randall, A. K., Hilpert, P., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A. M., Aryeetey, R., Bertoni, Anna Marta Maria, Bettache, K., Blazejewska, M., Bodenmann, G., Bortolini, T. S., Bosc, C., Butovskaya, M., Castro, F. N., Cetinkaya, H., Cunha, D., David, D., David, O. A., Dileym, F. A., Dominguez Espinosa, A. C., Donato, Silvia, Dronova, D., Dural, S., Fisher, M., Frackowiak, T., Akkaya, A. H., Hamamura, T., Hansen, K., Hattori, W. T., Hromatko, I., Gulbetekin, E., Iafrate, Raffaella, James, B., Jiang, F., Kimamo, C. O., Koc, F., Krasnodebska, A., Lopes, F. A., Martinez, R., Mesko, N., Molodovskaya, N., Qezeli, K. M., Motahari, Z., Natividade, J. C., Ntayi, J., Ojedokun, O., Omar-Fauzee, M. S. B., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Paluszak, A., Portugal, A., Realo, A., Relvas, A. P., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Salkicevic, S., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Stamkou, E., Stoyanova, S., Sukolova, D., Sutresna, N., Tadinac, M., Teras, A., Ponciano, E. L. T., Tripathi, R., Tripathi, N., Tripathi, M., Yamamoto, M. E., Yoo, G., Sorokowska, A., Bertoni A. (ORCID:0000-0001-7228-8718), Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), and Iafrate R. (ORCID:0000-0003-1311-8983)

Abstract

Across the world, millions of couples get married each year. One of the strongest predictors of whether partners will remain in their relationship is their reported satisfaction. Marital satisfaction is commonly found to be a key predictor of both individual and relational well-being. Despite its importance in predicting relationship longevity, there are relatively few empirical research studies examining predictors of marital satisfaction outside of a Western context. To address this gap in the literature and complete the existing knowledge about global predictors of marital satisfaction, we used an open-access database of self-reported assessments of self-reported marital satisfaction with data from 7178 participants representing 33 different countries. The results showed that sex, age, religiosity, economic status, education, and cultural values were related, to various extents, to marital satisfaction across cultures. However, marriage duration, number of children, and gross domestic product (GDP) were not found to be predictors of marital satisfaction for countries represented in this sample. While 96% of the variance of marital satisfaction was attributed to individual factors, only 4% was associated with countries. Together, the results show that individual differences have a larger influence on marital satisfaction compared to the country of origin. Findings are discussed in terms of the advantages of conducting studies on large cross-cultural samples.

Published
2020

13. Sex differences in mate preferences across 45 Countries: A large-scale replication

Author

Walter, K. V., Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Fang, L., Frackowiak, T., Garduno, J. C., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Gyuris, P., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Khanh Ha, T. T., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Linh, T. T., Lopez, Giulia, Van Luot, N., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Niemczyk, A., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Stoyanova, S. Y., Tadinac, M., Varella, M. A. C., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zat'Kova, M., Zupancic, M., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636), Walter, K. V., Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Fang, L., Frackowiak, T., Garduno, J. C., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Gyuris, P., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Khanh Ha, T. T., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Linh, T. T., Lopez, Giulia, Van Luot, N., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Niemczyk, A., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Stoyanova, S. Y., Tadinac, M., Varella, M. A. C., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zat'Kova, M., Zupancic, M., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), and Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636)

Abstract

Considerable research has examined human mate preferences across cultures, finding universal sex differences in preferences for attractiveness and resources as well as sources of systematic cultural variation. Two competing perspectives-an evolutionary psychological perspective and a biosocial role perspective-offer alternative explanations for these findings. However, the original data on which each perspective relies are decades old, and the literature is fraught with conflicting methods, analyses, results, and conclusions. Using a new 45-country sample (N = 14,399), we attempted to replicate classic studies and test both the evolutionary and biosocial role perspectives. Support for universal sex differences in preferences remains robust: Men, more than women, prefer attractive, young mates, and women, more than men, prefer older mates with financial prospects. Cross-culturally, both sexes have mates closer to their own ages as gender equality increases. Beyond age of partner, neither pathogen prevalence nor gender equality robustly predicted sex differences or preferences across countries.

Published
2020

14. Contrasting computational models of mate preference integration across 45 Countries

Author

Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Atama, C. S., Duyar, D. A., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Fang, L., Frackowiak, T., Garduno, J. C., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Gyuris, P., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Thi Khanh Ha, T., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Thi Linh, T., Lopez, Giulia, Van Luot, N., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Niemczyk, A., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Stoyanova, S. Y., Tadinac, M., Varella, M. A. C., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636), Conroy-Beam, D., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Atama, C. S., Duyar, D. A., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Fang, L., Frackowiak, T., Garduno, J. C., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Gyuris, P., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Thi Khanh Ha, T., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Thi Linh, T., Lopez, Giulia, Van Luot, N., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Niemczyk, A., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Stoyanova, S. Y., Tadinac, M., Varella, M. A. C., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), and Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636)

Abstract

Humans express a wide array of ideal mate preferences. Around the world, people desire romantic partners who are intelligent, healthy, kind, physically attractive, wealthy, and more. In order for these ideal preferences to guide the choice of actual romantic partners, human mating psychology must possess a means to integrate information across these many preference dimensions into summaries of the overall mate value of their potential mates. Here we explore the computational design of this mate preference integration process using a large sample of n = 14,487 people from 45 countries around the world. We combine this large cross-cultural sample with agent-based models to compare eight hypothesized models of human mating markets. Across cultures, people higher in mate value appear to experience greater power of choice on the mating market in that they set higher ideal standards, better fulfill their preferences in choice, and pair with higher mate value partners. Furthermore, we find that this cross-culturally universal pattern of mate choice is most consistent with a Euclidean model of mate preference integration.

Published
2019

15. Assortative mating and the evolution of desirability covariation

Author

Conroy-Beam, D., Roney, J. R., Lukaszewski, A. W., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bertoni, Anna Marta Maria, Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Donato, Silvia, Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Fang, L., Frackowiak, T., Contreras Garduno, J., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Gyuris, P., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Iafrate, Raffaella, Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Ha, T. T. K., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Linh, T. T., Lopez, Giulia, Van Luot, N., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Niemczyk, A., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Stoyanova, S. Y., Tadinac, M., Varella, M. A. C., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Bertoni A. (ORCID:0000-0001-7228-8718), Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), Iafrate R. (ORCID:0000-0003-1311-8983), Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636), Conroy-Beam, D., Roney, J. R., Lukaszewski, A. W., Buss, D. M., Asao, K., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Aavik, T., Akello, G., Alhabahba, M. M., Alm, C., Amjad, N., Anjum, A., Atama, C. S., Atamturk Duyar, D., Ayebare, R., Batres, C., Bendixen, M., Bensafia, A., Bertoni, Anna Marta Maria, Bizumic, B., Boussena, M., Butovskaya, M., Can, S., Cantarero, K., Carrier, A., Cetinkaya, H., Croy, I., Cueto, R. M., Czub, M., Donato, Silvia, Dronova, D., Dural, S., Duyar, I., Ertugrul, B., Espinosa, A., Estevan, I., Esteves, C. S., Fang, L., Frackowiak, T., Contreras Garduno, J., Gonzalez, K. U., Guemaz, F., Gyuris, P., Halamova, M., Herak, I., Horvat, M., Hromatko, I., Hui, C. -M., Iafrate, Raffaella, Jaafar, J. L., Jiang, F., Kafetsios, K., Kavcic, T., Kennair, L. E. O., Kervyn, N., Ha, T. T. K., Khilji, I. A., Kobis, N. C., Lan, H. M., Lang, A., Lennard, G. R., Leon, E., Lindholm, T., Linh, T. T., Lopez, Giulia, Van Luot, N., Mailhos, A., Manesi, Z., Martinez, R., Mckerchar, S. L., Mesko, N., Misra, G., Monaghan, C., Mora, E. C., Moya-Garofano, A., Musil, B., Natividade, J. C., Niemczyk, A., Nizharadze, G., Oberzaucher, E., Oleszkiewicz, A., Omar-Fauzee, M. S., Onyishi, I. E., Ozener, B., Pagani, Ariela Francesca, Pakalniskiene, V., Parise, Miriam, Pazhoohi, F., Pisanski, A., Pisanski, K., Ponciano, E., Popa, C., Prokop, P., Rizwan, M., Sainz, M., Salkicevic, S., Sargautyte, R., Sarmany-Schuller, I., Schmehl, S., Sharad, S., Siddiqui, R. S., Simonetti, F., Stoyanova, S. Y., Tadinac, M., Varella, M. A. C., Vauclair, C. -M., Vega, L. D., Widarini, D. A., Yoo, G., Zatkova, M., Zupancic, M., Bertoni A. (ORCID:0000-0001-7228-8718), Donato S. (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), Iafrate R. (ORCID:0000-0003-1311-8983), Lopez G. (ORCID:0000-0002-9188-0650), Pagani A. F. (ORCID:0000-0002-7149-9350), and Parise M. (ORCID:0000-0003-2150-6636)

Abstract

Mate choice lies close to differential reproduction, the engine of evolution. Patterns of mate choice consequently have power to direct the course of evolution. Here we provide evidence suggesting one pattern of human mate choice—the tendency for mates to be similar in overall desirability—caused the evolution of a structure of correlations that we call the d factor. We use agent-based models to demonstrate that assortative mating causes the evolution of a positive manifold of desirability, d, such that an individual who is desirable as a mate along any one dimension tends to be desirable across all other dimensions. Further, we use a large cross-cultural sample with n = 14,478 from 45 countries around the world to show that this d-factor emerges in human samples, is a cross-cultural universal, and is patterned in a way consistent with an evolutionary history of assortative mating. Our results suggest that assortative mating can explain the evolution of a broad structure of human trait covariation.

Published
2019

18. Marital satisfaction, sex, age, marriage duration, religion, number of children, economic status, education, and collectivistic values: Data from 33 countries

Author

Sorokowski, P., Randall, A., Groyecka, A., Frackowiak, T., Cantarero, K., Hilpert, P., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A., Aryeetey, R., Bertoni, A., Bettache, K., Blazejewska, M., Bodenmann, G., Bortolini, T., Bosc, C., Butovskaya, M., Castro, F., Cetinkaya, H., Cunha, D., David, D., David, O., Espinosa, A., Donato, S., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Fisher, M., Akkaya, A., Hamamura, Takeshi, Hansen, K., Hattori, W., Hromatko, I., Gulbetekin, E., Iafrate, R., James, B., Jiang, F., Kimamo, C., Koç, F., Krasnodebska, A., Laar, A., Lopes, F., Martinez, R., Mesko, N., Molodovskaya, N., Qezeli, K., Motahari, Z., Natividade, J., Ntayi, J., Ojedokun, O., Mohd, M., Onyishi, I., Özener, B., Paluszak, A., Portugal, A., Realo, A., Relvas, A., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Salkicevic, S., Sarmány-Schuller, I., Stamkou, E., Stoyanova, S., Šukolová, D., Sutresna, N., Tadinac, M., Teras, A., Edna, E., Tripathi, R., Tripathi, N., Tripathi, M., Yamamoto, M., Yoo, G., Sorokowska, A., Sorokowski, P., Randall, A., Groyecka, A., Frackowiak, T., Cantarero, K., Hilpert, P., Ahmadi, K., Alghraibeh, A., Aryeetey, R., Bertoni, A., Bettache, K., Blazejewska, M., Bodenmann, G., Bortolini, T., Bosc, C., Butovskaya, M., Castro, F., Cetinkaya, H., Cunha, D., David, D., David, O., Espinosa, A., Donato, S., Dronova, D., Dural, S., Fisher, M., Akkaya, A., Hamamura, Takeshi, Hansen, K., Hattori, W., Hromatko, I., Gulbetekin, E., Iafrate, R., James, B., Jiang, F., Kimamo, C., Koç, F., Krasnodebska, A., Laar, A., Lopes, F., Martinez, R., Mesko, N., Molodovskaya, N., Qezeli, K., Motahari, Z., Natividade, J., Ntayi, J., Ojedokun, O., Mohd, M., Onyishi, I., Özener, B., Paluszak, A., Portugal, A., Realo, A., Relvas, A., Rizwan, M., Sabiniewicz, A., Salkicevic, S., Sarmány-Schuller, I., Stamkou, E., Stoyanova, S., Šukolová, D., Sutresna, N., Tadinac, M., Teras, A., Edna, E., Tripathi, R., Tripathi, N., Tripathi, M., Yamamoto, M., Yoo, G., and Sorokowska, A.

Published
2017

20. Corrigendum: The associations of dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction vary between and within Nations: A 35-Nation study

Author

Hilpert, P, Randall, Ak, Sorokowski, P, Atkins, Dc, Sorokowska, A, Ahmadi, K, Alghraibeh, A. M., Aryeetey, R, Bertoni, Anna Marta Maria, Bettache, K, Błażejewska, M, Bodenmann, G, Borders, J, Bortolini, T, Butovskaya, M, Castro, Fn, Cetinkaya, H, Cunha, D, David, Oa, Delongis, A, Dileym, Fa, Doínguez Espinosa, Adc, Donato, Silvia, Dronova, D, Dural, S, Fisher, M, Frackowiak, T, Gulbetekin, E, Hamamcıoğlu Akkaya, A, Hansen, K, Hattori, Wt, Hromatko, I, Iafrate, Raffaella, James, Bo, Jiang, F, Kimamo, Co, King, Db, Koç, F, Laar, A, Lopes, Fda, Martinez, R, Mesko, N, Molodovskaya, N, Moradi, K, Motahari, Z, Natividade, Jc, Ntayi, J, Ojedokun, O, Omar Fauze, Msb, Onyishi, Ie, Özener, B, Paluszak, A, Portugal, A, Relvas, Ap, Rizwan, M, Salkičević, S, Sarmány Schuller, I, Stamkou, E, Stoyanova, S, Šukolová, D, Sutresna, N, Tadinac, M, Teras, A, Tinoco Ponciano, El, Tripathi, R, Tripathi, N, Tripathi, M, Vilchinsky, N, Xu, F, Yamamoto, Me, Yoo, G., Bertoni, Anna Marta Maria (ORCID:0000-0001-7228-8718), Donato, Silvia (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), Iafrate, Raffaella (ORCID:0000-0003-1311-8983), Hilpert, P, Randall, Ak, Sorokowski, P, Atkins, Dc, Sorokowska, A, Ahmadi, K, Alghraibeh, A. M., Aryeetey, R, Bertoni, Anna Marta Maria, Bettache, K, Błażejewska, M, Bodenmann, G, Borders, J, Bortolini, T, Butovskaya, M, Castro, Fn, Cetinkaya, H, Cunha, D, David, Oa, Delongis, A, Dileym, Fa, Doínguez Espinosa, Adc, Donato, Silvia, Dronova, D, Dural, S, Fisher, M, Frackowiak, T, Gulbetekin, E, Hamamcıoğlu Akkaya, A, Hansen, K, Hattori, Wt, Hromatko, I, Iafrate, Raffaella, James, Bo, Jiang, F, Kimamo, Co, King, Db, Koç, F, Laar, A, Lopes, Fda, Martinez, R, Mesko, N, Molodovskaya, N, Moradi, K, Motahari, Z, Natividade, Jc, Ntayi, J, Ojedokun, O, Omar Fauze, Msb, Onyishi, Ie, Özener, B, Paluszak, A, Portugal, A, Relvas, Ap, Rizwan, M, Salkičević, S, Sarmány Schuller, I, Stamkou, E, Stoyanova, S, Šukolová, D, Sutresna, N, Tadinac, M, Teras, A, Tinoco Ponciano, El, Tripathi, R, Tripathi, N, Tripathi, M, Vilchinsky, N, Xu, F, Yamamoto, Me, Yoo, G., Bertoni, Anna Marta Maria (ORCID:0000-0001-7228-8718), Donato, Silvia (ORCID:0000-0002-8406-4604), and Iafrate, Raffaella (ORCID:0000-0003-1311-8983)

Abstract

Objective: Theories about how couples help each other to cope with stress, such as the systemic transactional model of dyadic coping, suggest that the cultural context in which couples live influences how their coping behavior affects their relationship satisfaction. In contrast to the theoretical assumptions, a recent meta-analysis provides evidence that neither culture, nor gender, influences the association between dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction, at least based on their samples of couples living in North America and West Europe. Thus, it is an open questions whether the theoretical assumptions of cultural influences are false or whether cultural influences on couple behavior just occur in cultures outside of the Western world. Method: In order to examine the cultural influence, using a sample of married individuals (N = 7973) from 35 nations, we used multilevel modeling to test whether the positive association between dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction varies across nations and whether gender might moderate the association. Results: Results reveal that the association between dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction varies between nations. In addition, results show that in some nations the association is higher for men and in other nations it is higher for women. Conclusions: Cultural and gender differences across the globe influence how couples' coping behavior affects relationship outcomes. This crucial finding indicates that couple relationship education programs and interventions need to be culturally adapted, as skill trainings such as dyadic coping lead to differential effects on relationship satisfaction based on the culture in which couples live.

Published
2016

21. Matched Cohort Analysis of Ultra-Hypofractionated Preoperative Radiation Therapy vs. Standard Fractionation for Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Author

Fan, C.A., Nystrom, L., Mesko, N., Mayo, Z.S., Burke, Z.D., Shah, C.S., Koyfman, S.A., Scott, J.G., and Campbell, S.R.

Subjects
*SARCOMA, *TUMOR grading, *SURGICAL excision, *COHORT analysis, *RADIOTHERAPY
Abstract

Ultra-hypofractionated preoperative radiation therapy (UHRT) offers a drastically shorter treatment course for the management of soft tissue sarcoma (STS); however, there are no prospective studies comparing UHRT with standard fractionation (SRT). In addition to local control, major wound healing complications (MWC) are a significant concern. We sought to compare toxicity and oncologic control in a matched cohort of SRT and UHRT patients. In this IRB-approved study, we included patients with STS of the extremity, pelvis, or trunk who were treated with preoperative RT followed by surgical resection. Patients received either SRT (50 Gy at 2 Gy per fraction) or UHRT (≥30 Gy at 6 Gy per fraction) between 2006-2023 with IMRT. The cohorts were matched based on tumor location and type of surgical closure. Patients with SRT went to resection 3-6 weeks after RT and UHRT was 0-7 days. An inverse propensity weighting (IPW) method was used to balance covariates between groups. Outcomes included MWC, defined by O'Sullivan, acute and late toxicity, and disease control. Of 132 patients treated with preoperative RT, 37 SRT patients were matched with 37 UHRT patients. 12 patients in each group had tumors located in the arms/shoulders or trunk, and 25 in the leg/external pelvis. The majority underwent primary closure (26 each). Median follow-up time was 29.00 [IQR 13.00, 43.00] and 21.00 [IQR 11.00, 45.00] months in SRT and UHRT, respectively. Patient age, history of diabetes and smoking did not differ between cohorts. UHRT had a higher proportion of grade 3 tumors (p = 0.001) and R1 margin (p = 0.042). For acute toxicity, SRT experienced higher rates of grade 1 fatigue (p = 0.012) and dermatitis (p = 0.001). MWC was 29.7% in SRT vs 44.4% in UHRT (p = 0.289). On linear regression, MWC (OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.97-3.76, p = 0.06) and wound dehiscence (OR 3.91, 95% CI 1.81-8.73, p = 0.0006) were more common in UHRT compared with SRT. Late toxicity (grade ≥2 fibrosis, joint stiffness, or edema) did not differ significantly. There was no difference in local failure (5.4% SRT vs 2.7% UHRT, p = 1.00). Patients with any MWC had an increased risk (OR 5.766, 95% CI 1.85-19.52, p = 0.005) for developing distant metastases. UHRT for STS results in excellent local control; however, in this cohort of immediately resected UHRT, there is a trend of higher MWC. To reduce the risk of positive margin and MWC, we have adopted a standard delayed resection for UHRT patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2024
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22. The effect of a participatory intervention with women's groups on neonatal mortality in Nepal: a cluster, randomised controlled trial

Author

Osrin, D., Manandhar, D., Shrestha, B., Mesko, N., Morrison, J., Manandhar, M., Standing, H., Tumbahangphe, K., Tamang, S., Shrestha, D., Thapa, S., Wade, A., and Costello, A.

Subjects
Infants -- Patient outcomes -- Health aspects, Pregnant women -- Health aspects, Family and marriage, Health, Risk factors, Health aspects
Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal mortality accounts for 40% of under five mortality in developing countries. Strategies to reduce neonatal mortality rates (NMRs) must address the reality that 90% of deliveries in the [...]

Published
2004

24. Effect of a participatory intervention with women's groups on birth outcomes in Nepal: cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Author

Manandhar DS, Osrin D, Shrestha BP, Mesko N, Morrison J, Tumbahangphe KM, Tamang S, Thapa S, Shrestha D, Thapa B, Shrestha JR, Wade A, Borghi J, Standing H, Manandhar M, Costello AML, MIRA Makwanpur Trial Team, Manandhar, Dharma S, Osrin, David, and Shrestha, Bhim Prasad

Abstract

Background: Neonatal deaths in developing countries make the largest contribution to global mortality in children younger than 5 years. 90% of deliveries in the poorest quintile of households happen at home. We postulated that a community-based participatory intervention could significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates.Methods: We pair-matched 42 geopolitical clusters in Makwanpur district, Nepal, selected 12 pairs randomly, and randomly assigned one of each pair to intervention or control. In each intervention cluster (average population 7000), a female facilitator convened nine women's group meetings every month. The facilitator supported groups through an action-learning cycle in which they identified local perinatal problems and formulated strategies to address them. We monitored birth outcomes in a cohort of 28?931 women, of whom 8% joined the groups. The primary outcome was neonatal mortality rate. Other outcomes included stillbirths and maternal deaths, uptake of antenatal and delivery services, home care practices, infant morbidity, and health-care seeking. Analysis was by intention to treat. The study is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN31137309.Findings: From 2001 to 2003, the neonatal mortality rate was 26.2 per 1000 (76 deaths per 2899 livebirths) in intervention clusters compared with 36.9 per 1000 (119 deaths per 3226 livebirths) in controls (adjusted odds ratio 0.70 [95% CI 0.53-0.94]). Stillbirth rates were similar in both groups. The maternal mortality ratio was 69 per 100000 (two deaths per 2899 livebirths) in intervention clusters compared with 341 per 100000 (11 deaths per 3226 livebirths) in control clusters (0.22 [0.05-0.90]). Women in intervention clusters were more likely to have antenatal care, institutional delivery, trained birth attendance, and hygienic care than were controls.Interpretation: Birth outcomes in a poor rural population improved greatly through a low cost, potentially sustainable and scalable, participatory intervention with women's groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2004
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25. Establishing minimal clinically important differences and patient acceptable symptom state thresholds following birmingham hip resurfacing.

Author

Pasqualini I, Huffman N, Emara AK, Klika AK, McLaughlin JP, Mesko N, Brooks PJ, and Piuzzi NS

Subjects
Humans, Female, Middle Aged, Male, Aged, Prospective Studies, Adult, Patient Satisfaction, Hip Prosthesis, Pain Measurement, Minimal Clinically Important Difference, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip, Osteoarthritis, Hip surgery, Patient Reported Outcome Measures
Abstract

Introduction: Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) has emerged as a compelling and innovative alternative to total hip arthroplasty (THA), especially among young, active patients. However, the Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) and the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) thresholds have not yet been determined for patients undergoing BHR. Therefore, the current study aimed to (1) determine the MCID and PASS thresholds for both the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS)-Pain and HOOS physical function shortform (PS), for patients who underwent BHR; and (2) identify factors influencing the achievement of MCID and PASS for HOOS-Pain and HOOS-PS., Methods: Prospectively collected data from patients undergoing BHR was analyzed. Patients with osteoarthritis and completed preoperative and 1-year postoperative PROMs were included. Distribution-based and anchored-based approaches were used to estimate MCID and PASS, respectively. The optimal cut-off point for PASS thresholds was calculated using the Youden index., Results: MCID for HOOS-Pain and PS were calculated to be 9.2 and 9.3, respectively. The PASS threshold for HOOS-Pain and PS were ≥ 77.7 and ≥ 87.3, respectively. The current study identified several factors affecting postoperative achievement of thresholds. Baseline Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores were a predictor for achieving MCID for postoperative HOOS-Pain, achieving MCID for postoperative HOOS-PS, achieving PASS for postoperative HOOS-Pain, and achieving PASS for postoperative HOOS-PS. Furthermore, baseline HOOS-Pain was a significant predictor for achieving MCID for postoperative HOOS-PS, achieving PASS for postoperative HOOS-Pain, and achieving PASS for postoperative HOOS-PS., Conclusions: MCID and PASS thresholds were established for HOOS-Pain and PS domains following BHR with most patients achieving these clinically meaningful benchmarks. Additionally, several factors affecting achievement of MCID and PASS were identified, including modifiable risk factors that may allow clinicians to implement optimization strategies and further improve outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Published
2024
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26. Conversion Birmingham Hip Resurfacing in Managing Post-traumatic Arthritis With Retained Femoral Hardware: A Case Report.

Author

Khan ST, Pasqualini I, Mesko N, McLaughlin J, Brooks PJ, and Piuzzi NS

Subjects
Humans, Male, Aged, Osteoarthritis, Hip surgery, Hip Fractures surgery, Hip Prosthesis, Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip instrumentation
Abstract

Case: A 70-year-old man with a year-long history of arthritic pain in his left hip presented to our clinic. He had a left intertrochanteric hip fracture 6 years ago, fixed with an open reduction internal fixation with a cephalomedullary nail. He underwent a conversion Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) with removal of the proximal helicoidal blade and retention of the intramedullary nail. At 7-year follow-up, the patient reported satisfactory clinical outcomes and excellent radiographic fixation., Conclusion: This case highlights using conversion BHR in patients with post-traumatic arthritis with retained femoral hardware as an alternative to conventional total hip arthroplasty., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest forms are provided with the online version of the article (http://links.lww.com/JBJSCC/C369)., (Copyright © 2024 by The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated.)

Published
2024
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27. The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Clinical Practice Guideline on the Management of Metastatic Humeral Disease.

Author

Tedesco NS, Mesko N, and Wodajo F

Subjects
Humans, Societies, Medical, Multiple Myeloma therapy, Lymphoma therapy, Bone Neoplasms secondary, Bone Neoplasms therapy, Humerus
Abstract

Management of Metastatic Humeral Disease is based on a systematic review of published studies surrounding the management of metastatic disease, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma limited to the humerus. This guideline contains seven action statements to assist orthopaedic surgeons, orthopaedic oncologists, physicians, and any other qualified healthcare professionals involved in the surgical management of metastatic disease of the humerus. It is also intended to serve as an information resource for decision makers, researchers, and developers of clinical practice guidelines. In addition to providing pragmatic practice recommendations, this guideline also highlights gaps in the literature and informs areas for future research and quality measure development. This guideline has been endorsed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons., (Copyright © 2024 by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.)

Published
2024
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28. Myxofibrosarcoma in adolescents and young adults: a clinicopathologic study of 17 cases.

Author

Arispe Angulo KR, Logan S, Bahrami A, John I, Billings SD, Agrawal S, Bena J, Mesko N, Folpe AL, and Fritchie KJ

Subjects
Male, Female, Humans, Adult, Young Adult, Adolescent, Aged, Necrosis, Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous, Fibrosarcoma pathology, Sarcoma, Skin Neoplasms pathology, Soft Tissue Neoplasms pathology
Abstract

Myxofibrosarcoma is a locally aggressive sarcoma that characteristically arises in the extremities of older patients. Cases arising at a younger age are rare, leading to diagnostic challenges. Our aim was to study the clinicopathologic features of myxofibrosarcoma in patients aged ≤40 years. Cases of myxofibrosarcoma and myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma arising in patients aged ≤40 years with clinical follow-up were collected from multiple institutions. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were evaluated for mitoses, necrosis, and epithelioid areas. Seventeen cases were identified (13 females, 4 males; 16-39 years; median 32 years), tumors ranged from 2.2 to 34 cm (median 4.1 cm). Anatomic sites included proximal extremity (9), distal extremity (4), trunk (1), and head/neck (3). Ten were superficial, and 6 were deep-seated. Three cases were predominantly epithelioid. In untreated resection specimens, 6 were FNCLCC grade 1, 4 grade 2, and 2 grade 3. Follow-up (6-204 months, median 36 months) revealed that 2 patients experienced local recurrences, 1 distant metastasis, and 2 patients both. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 84% and 55.9%, respectively. Tumor depth and necrosis were correlated with inferior OS (P = .025, P = .005), while tumor depth was also associated with worse EFS (P = <.001). We conclude that myxofibrosarcomas arising in adolescents and young adults show similar behavior compared to their older adult counterparts. Tumor depth and necrosis are poor prognostic factors in myxofibrosarcoma in this age group. Awareness that myxofibrosarcoma can rarely present in this population is important for accurate diagnosis., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Published
2023
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29. Body appreciation around the world: Measurement invariance of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age.

Author

Swami V, Tran US, Stieger S, Aavik T, Ranjbar HA, Adebayo SO, Afhami R, Ahmed O, Aimé A, Akel M, Halbusi HA, Alexias G, Ali KF, Alp-Dal N, Alsalhani AB, Álvares-Solas S, Amaral ACS, Andrianto S, Aspden T, Argyrides M, Aruta JJBR, Atkin S, Ayandele O, Baceviciene M, Bahbouh R, Ballesio A, Barron D, Bellard A, Bender SS, Beydağ KD, Birovljević G, Blackburn MÈ, Borja-Alvarez T, Borowiec J, Bozogáňová M, Bratland-Sanda S, Browning MHEM, Brytek-Matera A, Burakova M, Çakır-Koçak Y, Camacho P, Camilleri VE, Cazzato V, Cerea S, Chaiwutikornwanich A, Chaleeraktrakoon T, Chambers T, Chen QW, Chen X, Chien CL, Chobthamkit P, Choompunuch B, Compte EJ, Corrigan J, Cosmas G, Cowden RG, Czepczor-Bernat K, Czub M, da Silva WR, Dadfar M, Dalley SE, Dany L, Datu JAD, Berbert de Carvalho PH, Coelho GLH, De Jesus AOS, Debbabi SH, Dhakal S, Di Bernardo F, Dimitrova DD, Dion J, Dixson B, Donofrio SM, Drysch M, Du H, Dzhambov AM, El-Jor C, Enea V, Eskin M, Farbod F, Farrugia L, Fian L, Fisher ML, Folwarczny M, Frederick DA, Fuller-Tyszkiewicz M, Furnham A, García AA, Geller S, Ghisi M, Ghorbani A, Martinez MAG, Gradidge S, Graf S, Grano C, Gyene G, Hallit S, Hamdan M, Handelzalts JE, Hanel PHP, Hawks SR, Hekmati I, Helmy M, Hill T, Hina F, Holenweger G, Hřebíčková M, Ijabadeniyi OA, Imam A, İnce B, Irrazabal N, Jankauskiene R, Jiang DY, Jiménez-Borja M, Jiménez-Borja V, Johnson EM, Jovanović V, Jović M, Jović M, Junqueira ACP, Kahle LM, Kantanista A, Karakiraz A, Karkin AN, Kasten E, Khatib S, Khieowan N, Kimong PJ, Kiropoulos L, Knittel J, Kohli N, Koprivnik M, Kospakov A, Król-Zielińska M, Krug I, Kuan G, Kueh YC, Kujan O, Kukić M, Kumar S, Kumar V, Lamba N, Lauri MA, Laus MF, LeBlanc LA, Lee HJ, Lipowska M, Lipowski M, Lombardo C, Lukács A, Maïano C, Malik S, Manjary M, Baldó LM, Martinez-Banfi M, Massar K, Matera C, McAnirlin O, Mebarak MR, Mechri A, Meireles JFF, Mesko N, Mills J, Miyairi M, Modi R, Modrzejewska A, Modrzejewska J, Mulgrew KE, Myers TA, Namatame H, Nassani MZ, Nerini A, Neto F, Neto J, Neves AN, Ng SK, Nithiya D, O J, Obeid S, Oda-Montecinos C, Olapegba PO, Olonisakin TT, Omar SS, Örlygsdóttir B, Özsoy E, Otterbring T, Pahl S, Panasiti MS, Park Y, Patwary MM, Pethö T, Petrova N, Pietschnig J, Pourmahmoud S, Prabhu VG, Poštuvan V, Prokop P, Ramseyer Winter VL, Razmus M, Ru T, Rupar M, Sahlan RN, Hassan MS, Šalov A, Sapkota S, Sarfo JO, Sawamiya Y, Schaefer K, Schulte-Mecklenbeck M, Seekis V, Selvi K, Sharifi M, Shrivastava A, Siddique RF, Sigurdsson V, Silkane V, Šimunić A, Singh G, Slezáčková A, Sundgot-Borgen C, Ten Hoor G, Tevichapong P, Tipandjan A, Todd J, Togas C, Tonini F, Tovar-Castro JC, Trangsrud LKJ, Tripathi P, Tudorel O, Tylka TL, Uyzbayeva A, Vally Z, Vanags E, Vega LD, Vicente-Arruebarrena A, Vidal-Mollón J, Vilar R, Villegas H, Vintilă M, Wallner C, White MP, Whitebridge S, Windhager S, Wong KY, Yau EK, Yamamiya Y, Yeung VWL, Zanetti MC, Zawisza M, Zeeni N, Zvaríková M, and Voracek M

Subjects
Humans, Psychometrics, Reproducibility of Results, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Language, Surveys and Questionnaires, Body Image psychology, Gender Identity
Abstract

The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a widely used measure of a core facet of the positive body image construct. However, extant research concerning measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across a large number of nations remains limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset - with data collected between 2020 and 2022 - to assess measurement invariance of the BAS-2 across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis indicated that full scalar invariance was upheld across all nations, languages, gender identities, and age groups, suggesting that the unidimensional BAS-2 model has widespread applicability. There were large differences across nations and languages in latent body appreciation, while differences across gender identities and age groups were negligible-to-small. Additionally, greater body appreciation was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, being single (versus being married or in a committed relationship), and greater rurality (versus urbanicity). Across a subset of nations where nation-level data were available, greater body appreciation was also significantly associated with greater cultural distance from the United States and greater relative income inequality. These findings suggest that the BAS-2 likely captures a near-universal conceptualisation of the body appreciation construct, which should facilitate further cross-cultural research., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Published
2023
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31. Early outcomes of ultra-hypofractionated preoperative radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcoma followed by immediate surgical resection.

Author

Mayo ZS, Parsai S, Asha W, Dinh M, Mesko N, Nystrom L, Shah CS, Scott JG, and Campbell SR

Subjects
Humans, Child, Preschool, Child, Prospective Studies, Lower Extremity pathology, Lower Extremity surgery, Radiation Dose Hypofractionation, Sarcoma radiotherapy, Sarcoma surgery, Sarcoma pathology, Soft Tissue Neoplasms radiotherapy, Soft Tissue Neoplasms surgery
Abstract

Background: There is increasing interest in shorter courses of radiation therapy (RT) in the management of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). We report our institutional experience for patients undergoing ultra-hypofractionated preoperative RT followed by immediate resection., Methods: An IRB approved review of patients treated with preoperative 5 fraction, once daily RT followed by immediate resection (within 7 days) for STS of the extremity or trunk was conducted. The primary endpoints are major wound complications and local control (LC). Secondary endpoints include grade ≥ 2 toxicity, metastasis free survival (MFS), and overall survival (OS)., Results: Twenty-two patients with a median age of 67 years (range 30-87) and median follow-up of 24.5 months (IQR 17.0-35.7) met eligibility criteria; 18/22 patients (81.8 %) had ≥ 1 year follow-up. Primary tumor location was lower extremity in 15 patients (68.2 %), upper extremity in 5 (22.7 %), and trunk in 2 (9.1 %). All patients received 30 Gy in 5 fractions. The median time to resection following RT was 1 day (range 0-5). The median time from biopsy to resection was 34 days (range 20-69). Local control was 100 %; in patients with localized disease, 2-year MFS and OS were 71.3 % and 76.9 %, respectively. Major wound complications occurred in 9 patients (40.9 %), with wound complications requiring reoperation occurring in 8 patients (36.4 %). Other acute and late grade ≥ 2 toxicities were seen in 0 and 4 patients (18.2 %), respectively., Conclusion: Ultra-hypofractionated preoperative RT followed by immediate resection permits expedited completion of oncologic therapy with early results demonstrating excellent local control and acceptable toxicity. Prospective data with long-term follow-up is needed., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Published
2023
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32. Metastatic bone disease: Early referral for multidisciplinary care.

Author

Ardakani AHG, Faimali M, Nystrom L, Mesko N, Mughal M, Ware H, and Gikas P

Subjects
Humans, Prognosis, Referral and Consultation, Bone Neoplasms diagnosis, Bone Neoplasms therapy, Quality of Life
Abstract

It is estimated that more than half of all cancers develop bony metastases, exacting a substantial cost in terms of patient quality of life and healthcare expenses. Prompt diagnosis and management have been shown to reduce morbidity and costs. When a patient with a history of cancer presents with musculoskeletal pain, heightened awareness of the risk of bone metastasis should prompt immediate referral to an orthopedic specialist. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to identify an appropriate treatment plan for the patient based on the prognosis, fracture status, and extent of skeletal disease., (Copyright © 2022 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All Rights Reserved.)

Published
2022
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33. Association between biologically effective dose and local control after stereotactic body radiotherapy for metastatic sarcoma.

Author

Somasundaram E, D Smile T, Halima A, Broughman JB, Reddy CA, Parsai S, Scott JG, Shah C, Chan T, Campbell S, Angelov L, Anderson PM, Zahler S, Trucco M, Thomas SM, Johnson S, Mesko N, Nystrom L, Shepard D, Budd GT, Qi P, Magnelli A, and Murphy ES

Abstract

Introduction: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is increasingly utilized for patients with recurrent and metastatic sarcoma. SBRT affords the potential to overcome the relative radioresistance of sarcomas through delivery of a focused high biological effective dose (BED) as an alternative to invasive surgery. We report local control outcomes after metastatic sarcoma SBRT based on radiation dose and histology., Methods: From our IRB-approved single-institution registry, all patients treated with SBRT for metastatic sarcoma between 2014 and 2020 were identified. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate local control and overall survival at 1 and 2 years. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated to determine optimal BED using an α/β ratio of 3. Local control was compared by SBRT dose using the BED cut point and evaluated by histology., Results: Forty-two patients with a total of 138 lesions met inclusion criteria. Median imaging follow up was 7.73 months (range 0.5-35.0). Patients were heavily pre-treated with systemic therapy. Median SBRT prescription was 116.70 Gy BED (range 66.70-419.30). Desmoplastic small round cell tumor, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and small round blue cell sarcomas were classified as radiosensitive ( n  = 63), and all other histologies were classified as radioresistant ( n  = 75). Local control for all lesions was 66.7% (95% CI, 56.6-78.5) at 1 year and 50.2% (95% CI, 38.2-66.1) at 2 years. Stratifying by histology, 1- and 2-year local control rates were 65.3% and 55.0%, respectively, for radiosensitive, and 68.6% and 44.5%, respectively, for radioresistant histologies ( p  = 0.49). The ROC cut point for BED was 95 Gy. Local control rates at 1- and 2-years were 75% and 61.6%, respectively, for lesions receiving >95 Gy BED, and 46.2% and 0%, respectively, for lesions receiving <95 Gy BED ( p  = 0.01). On subgroup analysis, local control by BED > 95 Gy was significant for radiosensitive histologies (p = 0.013), and trended toward significance for radioresistant histologies ( p  = 0.25)., Conclusion: There is a significant local control benefit for sarcoma SBRT when a BED > 95 Gy is used. Further investigation into the dose-response relationship is warranted to maximize the therapeutic index., Competing Interests: Authors’ declaration of potential conflicts of interest The authors have nothing to disclose., (© 2023 Old City Publishing, Inc.)

Published
2022

34. American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) consensus statement for soft-tissue sarcoma brachytherapy.

Author

Campbell SR, Shah C, Scott JG, Mesko N, Nystrom L, Kolar M, Largo AC, Kamrava M, Mourtada F, Naghavi AO, and Harrison LB

Subjects
Consensus, Dose Fractionation, Radiation, Humans, United States, Brachytherapy methods, Sarcoma radiotherapy, Soft Tissue Neoplasms
Abstract

Purpose: Growing data supports the role of radiation therapy in the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Brachytherapy has been used for decades in the management of STS and can be utilized as monotherapy or as a boost to external beam radiation. We present updated guidelines from the American Brachytherapy Society regarding the utilization of brachytherapy in the management of STS., Methods and Materials: Members of the American Brachytherapy Society with expertise in STS and STS brachytherapy created an updated clinical practice guideline including step-by-step details for performing STS brachytherapy based on a literature review and clinical experience., Results: Brachytherapy monotherapy should be considered for lower-recurrence risk patients or after a local recurrence following previous external beam radiation; a brachytherapy boost can be considered in higher-risk patents meeting implant criteria. Multiple dose/fractionation regimens are available, with determination based on tumor location and treatment intent. Techniques to limit wound complications are based on the type of wound closure; wound complication can be mitigated with a delay in the start of brachytherapy with immediate wound closure or by utilizing a staged reconstruction technique, which allows an earlier treatment start with a delayed wound closure., Conclusions: These updated guidelines provide clinicians with data on indications for STS brachytherapy as well as guidelines on how to perform and deliver high quality STS brachytherapy safely with minimal toxicity., (Copyright © 2021 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Published
2021
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35. Early Outcomes of Preoperative 5-Fraction Radiation Therapy for Soft Tissue Sarcoma Followed by Immediate Surgical Resection.

Author

Parsai S, Lawrenz J, Kilpatrick S, Rubin B, Hymes C, Gray M, Mesko N, Shah C, Nystrom L, and Scott JG

Abstract

Purpose: There are limited data regarding the use of hypofractionated radiation therapy (RT) for soft tissue sarcoma. We report early oncologic outcomes and wound complications of patients undergoing preoperative hypofractionated (5 fraction) RT followed by immediate surgical resection., Methods and Materials: An institutional review board-approved database of patients treated with preoperative RT for soft tissue sarcoma was queried. Patients treated with a hypofractionated dosing regimen followed by immediate (within 7 days) planned wide surgical resection were identified., Results: Between 2016 and 2019, 16 patients met eligibility criteria. The median patient age was 64 years old (range, 33-88). Ten of the sarcomas were located in the lower extremity, 4 in the upper extremity, and 2 were located in the trunk. Four patients had metastatic disease at diagnosis. The majority of the patients received a total radiation dose of 30 Gy in 5 fractions (range, 27.5-40 Gy) on consecutive days. All patients were planned with intensity modulated radiation therapy or volumetric arc therapy. The median time to surgical resection after the completion of RT was 1 day (range, 0-7 days). The median time from initial biopsy results to completion of primary oncologic therapy was 20 days (range, 16-35). Ten patients achieved R0 resection, whereas the remaining 6 patients achieved R1 resection. Of the 13 patients assessed for local control, no patients developed local failure. Within the median follow-up time of 10.7 months (range, 1.7-33.2), 5 patients developed wound healing complications (31%), of which only 3 patients (19%) required return to the operating room., Conclusions: Treatment of soft tissue sarcoma with preoperative hypofractionated RT followed by immediate resection resulted in a median of 20 days from biopsy results to completion of oncologic therapy. Early outcomes demonstrate favorable wound healing. Further prospective data with long-term follow-up is required to determine the oncologic outcomes and toxicity of hypofractionated preoperative RT., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

Published
2020
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36. Factors Associated With Acute and Chronic Wound Complications in Patients With Soft Tissue Sarcoma With Long-term Follow-up.

Author

Karthik N, Ward MC, Juloori A, Scott J, Mesko N, and Shah C

Subjects
Acute Disease, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Chronic Disease, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Postoperative Complications pathology, Prognosis, Radiation Injuries pathology, Retrospective Studies, Wounds and Injuries pathology, Young Adult, Postoperative Complications etiology, Radiation Injuries etiology, Radiotherapy adverse effects, Sarcoma therapy, Wounds and Injuries etiology
Abstract

Objectives: To identify the rates of acute and chronic wound complications and factors associated in a cohort of patients treated for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) with modern radiotherapy (RT) and surgical techniques., Materials and Methods: An Institutional Review Board-approved database was used to identify all adult nonmetastatic patients treated for STS at a single institution between 2006 and 2015 with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Factors associated with acute and chronic wound complications were analyzed using binomial logistic regression including interaction terms., Results: In all, 271 patients were identified with a median follow-up of 3.2 years. The rate of acute wound complications was 22.1%. On univariate analysis, trunk versus extremity location (P<0.001), radiation therapy (P=0.04), and preoperative therapy (P=0.03) were associated with acute wound complications and a trend was noted for reconstruction (P=0.07). On multivariate analysis, extremity tumors were associated with a higher rate of acute wound complications compared with trunk tumors without RT (P=0.02). Utilization of RT was associated with increased risk for extremity tumors (P=0.07). The rate of chronic wound complications was 3.3%. Radiation was associated with increased chronic wound complications (P=0.03) and trends were noted for trunk versus extremity location (P=0.08) and a history of acute wound complications (P=0.12)., Conclusions: Several factors associated with acute and chronic wound complications were identified in STS patients including timing of RT, tumor site, and reconstruction use. The development of acute wound complications may also be associated with an increased risk of chronic wound complications.

Published
2018
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37. Global Study of Social Odor Awareness.

Author

Sorokowska A, Groyecka A, Karwowski M, Frackowiak T, Lansford JE, Ahmadi K, Alghraibeh AM, Aryeetey R, Bertoni A, Bettache K, Blumen S, Blazejewska M, Bortolini T, Butovskaya M, Cantarero K, Castro FN, Cetinkaya H, Chang L, Chen BB, Cunha D, David D, David OA, Dileym FA, Domínguez Espinosa ADC, Donato S, Dronova D, Dural S, Fialová J, Fisher M, Gulbetekin E, Hamamcioglu Akkaya A, Hilpert P, Hromatko I, Iafrate R, Iesyp M, James B, Jaranovic J, Jiang F, Kimamo CO, Kjelvik G, Koç F, Laar A, Lopes FA, Macbeth G, Marcano NM, Martinez R, Mesko N, Molodovskaya N, Moradi Qezeli K, Motahari Z, Mühlhauser A, Natividade JC, Ntayi J, Oberzaucher E, Ojedokun O, Omar-Fauzee MSB, Onyishi IE, Paluszak A, Pierce JD Jr, Pillay U, Portugal A, Razumiejczyk E, Realo A, Relvas AP, Rivas M, Rizwan M, Salkicevic S, Sarmány-Schuller I, Schmehl S, Senyk O, Sinding C, Sorbring E, Stamkou E, Stoyanova S, Šukolová D, Sutresna N, Tadinac M, Tapanya S, Teras A, Tinoco Ponciano EL, Tripathi R, Tripathi N, Tripathi M, Uhryn O, Yamamoto ME, Yoo G, and Sorokowski P

Subjects
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Male, Metacognition physiology, Middle Aged, Models, Theoretical, Odorants, Social Norms, Surveys and Questionnaires, Young Adult, Olfactory Perception physiology, Smell physiology, Social Behavior
Abstract

Olfaction plays an important role in human social communication, including multiple domains in which people often rely on their sense of smell in the social context. The importance of the sense of smell and its role can however vary inter-individually and culturally. Despite the growing body of literature on differences in olfactory performance or hedonic preferences across the globe, the aspects of a given culture as well as culturally universal individual differences affecting odor awareness in human social life remain unknown. Here, we conducted a large-scale analysis of data collected from 10 794 participants from 52 study sites from 44 countries all over the world. The aim of our research was to explore the potential individual and country-level correlates of odor awareness in the social context. The results show that the individual characteristics were more strongly related than country-level factors to self-reported odor awareness in different social contexts. A model including individual-level predictors (gender, age, material situation, education, and preferred social distance) provided a relatively good fit to the data, but adding country-level predictors (Human Development Index, population density, and average temperature) did not improve model parameters. Although there were some cross-cultural differences in social odor awareness, the main differentiating role was played by the individual differences. This suggests that people living in different cultures and different climate conditions may still share some similar patterns of odor awareness if they share other individual-level characteristics.

Published
2018
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38. Pre-operative evaluation prior to soft tissue sarcoma excision - Why can't we get it right?

Author

Mesko NW, Wilson RJ, Lawrenz JM, Mathieu JL, Ghiam MK, Mathis SL, Halpern JL, Schwartz HS, and Holt GE

Subjects
Adult, Aged, Amputation, Surgical, Case-Control Studies, Chemotherapy, Adjuvant, Databases, Factual, Extremities pathology, Extremities surgery, Female, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Neoplasm Grading, Neoplasm, Residual, Orthopedic Surgeons, Patient Care Team, Radiotherapy, Adjuvant, Referral and Consultation, Retrospective Studies, Sarcoma pathology, Sarcoma surgery, Soft Tissue Neoplasms pathology, Soft Tissue Neoplasms surgery, Surgical Flaps, Time Factors, Tomography, X-Ray Computed, Tumor Burden, Extremities diagnostic imaging, Preoperative Care methods, Sarcoma diagnostic imaging, Soft Tissue Neoplasms diagnostic imaging
Abstract

Background: To define the association between an appropriate pre-operative workup (pre-operative advanced imaging studies, diagnostic biopsy) and incomplete soft tissue sarcoma (STS) excision., Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective review of 397 consecutive patient records (2000-2008), looking at primary site advanced imaging (MRI or CT) and diagnostic biopsy procedures completed prior to the initial attempt at definitive surgical excision. Downstream effects of an inadequate pre-operative workup were also evaluated, including time to referral to a sarcoma multi-disciplinary care team and perceived alteration of surgical care in order to obtain a complete excision of the altered sarcoma bed., Results: Thirty-eight percent (149/397) of soft tissue sarcomas identified underwent an incomplete excision prior to referral. A significant difference in the incidence of pre-operative primary site advanced imaging (91% vs. 42%, p < 0.001) and a pre-operative diagnostic biopsy (85% vs. 16%, p < 0.001) was found between the wide excision group and incomplete excision groups. Pre-operative biopsy (p < 0.001), tumor size >5 cm (p < 0.001), and a referral from an orthopaedic surgeon (p < 0.02) were all associated with reduced risk of incomplete excision in multivariate analysis. Seventy-four percent of patients in the incomplete excision group required an alteration in their definitive wide margin surgical resection, including rotational muscle flap coverage (37%), free flap coverage (11%), or amputation (11%)., Conclusion: A minority of patients referred following incomplete excision of a STS had undergone an appropriate pre-operative workup prior to referral, leading to increased long-term morbidity following definitive re-excision. Education efforts to heighten awareness of suspicious soft tissue lesions remain vital., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.)

Published
2018
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39. Marital Satisfaction, Sex, Age, Marriage Duration, Religion, Number of Children, Economic Status, Education, and Collectivistic Values: Data from 33 Countries.

Author

Sorokowski P, Randall AK, Groyecka A, Frackowiak T, Cantarero K, Hilpert P, Ahmadi K, Alghraibeh AM, Aryeetey R, Bertoni A, Bettache K, Błażejewska M, Bodenmann G, Bortolini TS, Bosc C, Butovskaya M, Castro FN, Cetinkaya H, Cunha D, David D, David OA, Espinosa ACD, Donato S, Dronova D, Dural S, Fisher M, Akkaya AH, Hamamura T, Hansen K, Hattori WT, Hromatko I, Gulbetekin E, Iafrate R, James B, Jiang F, Kimamo CO, Koç F, Krasnodębska A, Laar A, Lopes FA, Martinez R, Mesko N, Molodovskaya N, Qezeli KM, Motahari Z, Natividade JC, Ntayi J, Ojedokun O, Omar-Fauzee MSB, Onyishi IE, Özener B, Paluszak A, Portugal A, Realo A, Relvas AP, Rizwan M, Sabiniewicz AL, Salkičević S, Sarmány-Schuller I, Stamkou E, Stoyanova S, Šukolová D, Sutresna N, Tadinac M, Teras A, Ponciano ELT, Tripathi R, Tripathi N, Tripathi M, Yamamoto ME, Yoo G, and Sorokowska A

Published
2017
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40. Corrigendum: The Associations of Dyadic Coping and Relationship Satisfaction Vary between and within Nations: A 35-Nation Study.

Author

Hilpert P, Randall AK, Sorokowski P, Atkins DC, Sorokowska A, Ahmadi K, Alghraibeh AM, Aryeetey R, Bertoni A, Bettache K, Błażejewska M, Bodenmann G, Borders J, Bortolini TS, Butovskaya M, Castro FN, Cetinkaya H, Cunha D, David OA, DeLongis A, Dileym FA, Domínguez Espinosa AD, Donato S, Dronova D, Dural S, Fisher M, Frackowiak T, Gulbetekin E, Hamamcıoğlu Akkaya A, Hansen K, Hattori WT, Hromatko I, Iafrate R, James BO, Jiang F, Kimamo CO, King DB, Koç F, Laar A, Lopes FA, Martinez R, Mesko N, Molodovskaya N, Moradi K, Motahari Z, Natividade JC, Ntayi J, Ojedokun O, Omar-Fauzee MS, Onyishi IE, Özener B, Paluszak A, Portugal A, Relvas AP, Rizwan M, Salkičević S, Sarmány-Schuller I, Stamkou E, Stoyanova S, Šukolová D, Sutresna N, Tadinac M, Teras A, Tinoco Ponciano EL, Tripathi R, Tripathi N, Tripathi M, Vilchinsky N, Xu F, Yamamoto ME, and Yoo G

Abstract

[This corrects the article on p. 1106 in vol. 7, PMID: 27551269.].

Published
2016
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41. The Associations of Dyadic Coping and Relationship Satisfaction Vary between and within Nations: A 35-Nation Study.

Author

Hilpert P, Randall AK, Sorokowski P, Atkins DC, Sorokowska A, Ahmadi K, Aghraibeh AM, Aryeetey R, Bertoni A, Bettache K, Błażejewska M, Bodenmann G, Borders J, Bortolini TS, Butovskaya M, Castro FN, Cetinkaya H, Cunha D, David OA, DeLongis A, Dileym FA, Domínguez Espinosa AD, Donato S, Dronova D, Dural S, Fisher M, Frackowiak T, Gulbetekin E, Hamamcıoğlu Akkaya A, Hansen K, Hattori WT, Hromatko I, Iafrate R, James BO, Jiang F, Kimamo CO, King DB, Koç F, Laar A, Lopes Fde A, Martinez R, Mesko N, Molodovskaya N, Moradi K, Motahari Z, Natividade JC, Ntayi J, Ojedokun O, Omar-Fauzee MS, Onyishi IE, Özener B, Paluszak A, Portugal A, Relvas AP, Rizwan M, Salkičević S, Sarmány-Schuller I, Stamkou E, Stoyanova S, Šukolová D, Sutresna N, Tadinac M, Teras A, Tinoco Ponciano EL, Tripathi R, Tripathi N, Tripathi M, Vilchinsky N, Xu F, Yamamoto ME, and Yoo G

Abstract

Objective: Theories about how couples help each other to cope with stress, such as the systemic transactional model of dyadic coping, suggest that the cultural context in which couples live influences how their coping behavior affects their relationship satisfaction. In contrast to the theoretical assumptions, a recent meta-analysis provides evidence that neither culture, nor gender, influences the association between dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction, at least based on their samples of couples living in North America and West Europe. Thus, it is an open questions whether the theoretical assumptions of cultural influences are false or whether cultural influences on couple behavior just occur in cultures outside of the Western world., Method: In order to examine the cultural influence, using a sample of married individuals (N = 7973) from 35 nations, we used multilevel modeling to test whether the positive association between dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction varies across nations and whether gender might moderate the association., Results: RESULTS reveal that the association between dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction varies between nations. In addition, results show that in some nations the association is higher for men and in other nations it is higher for women., Conclusions: Cultural and gender differences across the globe influence how couples' coping behavior affects relationship outcomes. This crucial finding indicates that couple relationship education programs and interventions need to be culturally adapted, as skill trainings such as dyadic coping lead to differential effects on relationship satisfaction based on the culture in which couples live.

Published
2016
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42. An appraisal of the maternal mortality decline in Nepal.

Author

Hussein J, Bell J, Dar Iang M, Mesko N, Amery J, and Graham W

Subjects
Cesarean Section, Confidence Intervals, Contraceptive Agents, Female, Delivery of Health Care, Female, Fertility, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Nepal epidemiology, Poisson Distribution, Pregnancy, Regression Analysis, Risk Factors, Time Factors, Maternal Mortality
Abstract

Background: A decline in the national maternal mortality ratio in Nepal has been observed from surveys conducted between 1996 and 2008. This paper aims to assess the plausibility of the decline and to identify drivers of change., Methods: National and sub-national trends in mortality data were investigated using existing demographic and health surveys and maternal mortality and morbidity surveys. Potential drivers of the variation in maternal mortality between districts were identified by regressing district-level indicators from the Nepal demographic health surveys against maternal mortality estimates., Results: A statistically significant decline of the maternal mortality ratio from 539 maternal deaths to 281 per 100,000 (95% CI 91,507) live births between 1993 and 2003 was demonstrated. The sub-national changes are of similar magnitude and direction to those observed nationally, and in the terai region (plains) the differences are statistically significant with a reduction of 361 per 100,000 live births (95% CI 36,686) during the same time period. The reduction in fertility, changes in education and wealth, improvements in components of the human development index, gender empowerment and anaemia each explained more than 10% of the district variation in maternal mortality. A number of limitations in each of the data sources used were identified. Of these, the most important relate to the underestimation of numbers of deaths., Conclusion: It is likely that there has been a decline in Nepal's maternal mortality since 1993. This is good news for the country's sustained commitments in this area. Conclusions on the magnitude, pattern of the change and drivers of the decline are constrained by lack of data. We recommend close tracking of maternal mortality and its determinants in Nepal, attention to the communication of future estimates, and various options for bridging data gaps.

Published
2011
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43. Women's health groups to improve perinatal care in rural Nepal.

Author

Morrison J, Tamang S, Mesko N, Osrin D, Shrestha B, Manandhar M, Manandhar D, Standing H, and Costello A

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neonatal mortality rates are high in rural Nepal where more than 90% of deliveries are in the home. Evidence suggests that death rates can be reduced by interventions at community level. We describe an intervention which aimed to harness the power of community planning and decision making to improve maternal and newborn care in rural Nepal. METHODS: The development of 111 women's groups in a population of 86 704 in Makwanpur district, Nepal is described. The groups, facilitated by local women, were the intervention component of a randomized controlled trial to reduce perinatal and neonatal mortality rates. Through participant observation and analysis of reports, we describe the implementation of this intervention: the community entry process, the facilitation of monthly meetings through a participatory action cycle of problem identification, community planning, and implementation and evaluation of strategies to tackle the identified problems. RESULTS: In response to the needs of the group, participatory health education was added to the intervention and the women's groups developed varied strategies to tackle problems of maternal and newborn care: establishing mother and child health funds, producing clean home delivery kits and operating stretcher schemes. Close linkages with community leaders and community health workers improved strategy implementation. There were also indications of positive effects on group members and health services, and most groups remained active after 30 months. CONCLUSION: A large scale and potentially sustainable participatory intervention with women's groups, which focused on pregnancy, childbirth and the newborn period, resulted in innovative strategies identified by local communities to tackle perinatal care problems.

Published
2005
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44. Hairstyle as an adaptive means of displaying phenotypic quality.

Author

Mesko N and Bereczkei T

Abstract

Although facial features that are considered beautiful have been investigated across cultures using the framework of sexual selection theory, the effects of head hair on esthetic evaluations have rarely been examined from an evolutionary perspective. In the present study the effects of six hair-styles (short, medium-length, long, disheveled, knot [hair bun], unkempt) on female facial attractiveness were examined in four dimensions (femininity, youth, health, sexiness) relative to faces without visible head hair ("basic face"). Three evolutionary hypotheses were tested (covering hypothesis, healthy mate theory, and good genes model); only the good genes model was supported by our data. According to this theory, individuals who can afford the high costs of long hair are those who have good phenotypic and genetic quality. In accordance with this hypothesis, we found that only long and medium-length hair had a significant positive effect on ratings of women's attractiveness; the other hairstyles did not influence the evaluation of their physical beauty. Furthermore, these two hairstyles caused a much larger change in the dimension of health than in the rest of the dimensions. Finally, male raters considered the longer-haired female subjects' health status better, especially if the subjects were less attractive women. The possible relationships between facial attractiveness and hair are discussed, and alternative explanations are presented.

Published
2004
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45. Care for perinatal illness in rural Nepal: a descriptive study with cross-sectional and qualitative components.

Author

Mesko N, Osrin D, Tamang S, Shrestha BP, Manandhar DS, Manandhar M, Standing H, and Costello AM

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Maternal, perinatal and neonatal mortality rates remain high in rural areas of developing countries. Most deliveries take place at home and care-seeking behaviour is often delayed. We report on a combined quantitative and qualitative study of care seeking obstacles and practices relating to perinatal illness in rural Makwanpur district, Nepal, with particular emphasis on consultation strategies. METHODS: The analysis included a survey of 8798 women who reported a birth in the previous two years [of whom 3557 reported illness in their pregnancy], on 30 case studies of perinatal morbidity and mortality, and on 43 focus group discussions with mothers, other family members and health workers. RESULTS: Early pregnancy was often concealed, preparation for birth was minimal and trained attendance at birth was uncommon. Family members were favoured attendants, particularly mothers-in-law. The most common recalled maternal complications were prolonged labour, postpartum haemorrhage and retained placenta. Neonatal death, though less definable, was often associated with cessation of suckling and shortness of breath. Many home-based care practices for maternal and neonatal illness were described. Self-medication was common.There were delays in recognising and acting on danger signs, and in seeking care beyond the household, in which the cultural requirement for maternal seclusion, and the perceived expense of care, played a part. Of the 760 women who sought care at a government facility, 70% took more than 12 hours from the decision to seek help to actual consultation. Consultation was primarily with traditional healers, who were key actors in the ascription of causation. Use of the government primary health care system was limited: the most common source of allopathic care was the district hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Major obstacles to seeking care were: a limited capacity to recognise danger signs; the need to watch and wait; and an overwhelming preference to treat illness within the community. Safer motherhood and newborn care programmes in rural communities, must address both community and health facility care to have an impact on morbidity and mortality. The roles of community actors such as mothers-in-law, husbands, local healers and pharmacies, and increased access to properly trained birth attendants need to be addressed if delays in reaching health facilities are to be shortened.

Published
2003
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46. Implementing a community-based participatory intervention to improve essential newborn care in rural Nepal.

Author

Osrin D, Mesko N, Shrestha BP, Shrestha D, Tamang S, Thapa S, Tumbahangphe KM, Shrestha JR, Manandhar MK, Manandhar DS, Standing H, and Costello AM

Subjects
Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child Welfare, Cluster Analysis, Female, Humans, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Maternal Welfare, Nepal, Patient Acceptance of Health Care statistics & numerical data, Perinatal Care standards, Pregnancy, Prognosis, Risk Factors, Rural Health Services standards, Community Health Services standards, Infant Care standards, Infant Mortality
Abstract

The persistence of high perinatal and neonatal mortality rates in many developing countries make efforts to improve perinatal care in the home and at local health facilities important public health concerns. We describe a study which aims to evaluate a community-level participatory intervention in rural Nepal. The effectiveness of community-based action research interventions with mothers and other key members of the community in improving perinatal health outcomes is being examined using a cluster randomized, controlled trial covering a population of 28,000 married women of reproductive age. The unit of randomization was the village development committee (VDC): 12 VDCs receive the intervention while 12 serve as controls. The key elements of the intervention are the activities of female facilitators, each of whom works in one VDC facilitating the activities of women's groups in addressing problems in pregnancy, childbirth and the newborn period. Each group moves through a participatory planning cycle of assessment, sharing experiences, planning, action and reassessment, with the aim of improving essential maternal and newborn care. Outcomes assessed are neonatal and perinatal mortality rates, changes in patterns of home care, health care seeking and referral. The study also aims to generate programmatic information on the process of implementation in communities.

Published
2003
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47. Cross sectional, community based study of care of newborn infants in Nepal.

Author

Osrin D, Tumbahangphe KM, Shrestha D, Mesko N, Shrestha BP, Manandhar MK, Standing H, Manandhar DS, and Costello AM

Subjects
Adolescent, Adult, Breast Feeding statistics & numerical data, Cross-Sectional Studies, Delivery Rooms, Delivery, Obstetric, Female, Heating, Humans, Hygiene, Infant, Newborn, Middle Aged, Nepal epidemiology, Retrospective Studies, Home Childbirth standards, Perinatal Care standards
Abstract

Objective: To determine home based newborn care practices in rural Nepal in order to inform strategies to improve neonatal outcome., Design: Cross sectional, retrospective study using structured interviews., Setting: Makwanpur district, Nepal., Participants: 5411 married women aged 15 to 49 years who had given birth to a live baby in the past year., Main Outcomes Measures: Attendance at delivery, hygiene, thermal care, and early feeding practices., Results: 4893 (90%) women gave birth at home. Attendance at delivery by skilled government health workers was low (334, 6%), as was attendance by traditional birth attendants (267, 5%). Only 461 (8%) women had used a clean home delivery kit, and about half of attendants had washed their hands. Only 3482 (64%) newborn infants had been wrapped within half an hour of birth, and 4992 (92%) had been bathed within the first hour. 99% (5362) of babies were breast fed, 91% (4939) within six hours of birth. Practices with respect to colostrum and prelacteals were not a cause for anxiety., Conclusions: Health promotion interventions most likely to improve newborn health in this setting include increasing attendance at delivery by skilled service providers, improving information for families about basic perinatal care, promotion of clean delivery practices, early cord cutting and wrapping of the baby, and avoidance of early bathing.

Published
2002
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