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Direct, indirect, and partner effects estimated among uplifts, respite care, stress, and marital quality across mothers and fathers of children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 102) and Down syndrome (n = 111) were examined in this cross-sectional study. Parents of children with ASD who reported more uplifts and less stress individually reported better marital quality; these wives reported better marital quality as their husbands reported more uplifts and less stress. Wives with children with DS who reported more uplifts, individually along with their husbands reported less stress and better marital quality. Respite was directly associated with marital quality for parents of children with ASD and indirectly associated with marital quality for parents of children with DS with reduced individual stress. Implications are discussed.

Individual, biological, psychological, and social factors have each been associated with sexual satisfaction. In the current study we examine ways that these factors combined in the same study might be associated with understanding couples' sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion by evaluating an actor-partner-interdependence-model (APIM). This model was based on data (N = 2,187 couples) collected as part of a nationally representative study of the Couple Relationships and Transition Experiences (CREATE) study. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the APIM model. The results indicated that the quality of sleep and the number of physical symptoms both partners were experiencing were substantially associated with the same individual's depression and anxiety. In turn, depression and anxiety were associated with the quality of communication and the ability to resolve conflict. These social variables had strong associations with sexual satisfaction and they, along with sexual satisfaction, were significantly associated with the couple's ability to experience harmonious sexual passion in their relationship. We examined how couples' sleep, symptoms of illness, depression and anxiety, communication and conflict were associated with couples' sexuality. With a sample of 2,187 couples, we found that sleep and symptoms of illness were associated with depression and anxiety which were associated with communication and conflict. Communication and conflict had strong associations with sexual satisfaction and harmonious sexual passion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Using feminist theory as a lens, we tested whether couple finance behaviors are associated with marital outcomes and whether shared relational power mediates these associations. Background: Building on a previous study, we sought to understand financial dynamics and relational power (a) in early marriage, (b) using a nationally representative sample, and (c) considering financial deception. Method: We tested these associations with a nationally representative sample of mixed‐gender U.S. newlyweds (N = 1,654 couples; data are from the CREATE [Couple Relationships and Transition Experiences] project) using an actor–partner interdependence mediation model. Results: In support of our hypotheses, we found significant actor and partner associations from financial conflict, financial deception, and unequal influence in financial decision‐making with relational power, marital satisfaction, and marital stability. Additionally, many associations between couple finance variables and marital outcomes were mediated by relational power. We did not find expected associations from employment status and joint/separate bank accounts to relational power, marital satisfaction, or marital stability. Conclusion: Our findings support feminist claims suggesting that unequal financial power is linked to unequal relational power, which is in turn associated with lower marital satisfaction and stability. Implications: Financial conflict, financial deception, and unequal financial influence can unbalance relational power and weaken new marriages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Young adulthood is a time when persons with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) become more fully responsible for diabetes management. Establishing healthy diabetes routines during this period is foundational for successful management across adulthood. Although partner support is generally considered helpful in T1D management, less is known about specific partner behaviors that could benefit glucose levels. The aim of this study was to explore associations between communal coping behaviors and T1D glucose management. Method: During 2018–2020, 23 young married opposite-sex couples (Mage = 25.7 years), wherein one spouse had T1D, completed daily measures of communal coping for 9 consecutive days. Daily average glucose and time-in-range were computed from the person with T1D's glucose meter or continuous glucose monitor. Results: Multilevel model results suggested that higher time-in-range on a given day was predicted by reports of lower daily spousal instrumental support, lower overprotective and controlling behaviors, and by higher emotional support. Controlling spousal behavior on one day was associated with higher time-in-range the next day. At the same time, patient reports of higher average spousal controlling behavior (across all days) were associated with lower time-in-range and higher average glucose. Average glucose was also predicted by communal coping behaviors (especially within-person higher instrumental support), yet results were less robust after covariates were considered. Discussion: Some young romantic partners may engage in behaviors that are associated with higher average blood glucose and lower time-in-range for the person with T1D. Persons with T1D could communicate to their partners types of support that are helpful versus not. Public Significance Statement: This study advances the role of communal coping behaviors between young adults with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and their romantic partner related to diabetes management. Support provided to young adults with T1D from their partners was associated with average glucose levels and time-in-range, which suggests that interventions that include partners to direct support efforts toward more beneficial forms of support may facilitate diabetes management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite couples with similar financial values tending to experience higher relationship satisfaction, individuals with dissimilar spending tendencies often marry each other. Research has not yet established strategies for therapists to encourage for newlywed couples with dissimilar financial values. We examined associations between similarity of financial values and relationship flourishing among 1,486 different-sex newlywed couples. In these associations, we tested both husbands' and wives' forgiveness as moderators. Only wives' forgiveness significantly moderated associations between similarity of financial values and husbands' and wives' relationship flourishing. Therapists may consider encouraging forgiveness—especially for wives—in different-sex newlywed couples with dissimilar financial values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guided by an intersectional feminism framework, we used three‐wave, dyadic survey data from a nationally representative sample of 1625 U.S. different‐gender newlywed couples to test three research questions. First, as balanced power is considered a key concept for relational well‐being in feminism, we examined developmental trajectories in husbands' and wives' perception of power (im)balance. Second, considering money as a major influence on power and aggression, we examined how financial behaviors relate to power (im)balance and in turn relational aggression—a type of intimate partner violence that is controlling and manipulative in nature. Third, informed by the intersectionality between gender and socioeconomic status (SES), we examined gender differences and SES disparities in the associations among financial behaviors, developmental trajectories of perception of power (im)balance, and relational aggression. Our findings demonstrate that newlywed different‐gender couples are experiencing power struggles, where two partners diminish each other's influence over time. We also found that healthy financial behaviors are associated with balanced power and, in turn, less relational aggression (especially for wives and in lower‐SES households). Taken collectively, we continue calling for efforts to facilitate money management skills and promote balanced marital power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined whether shared leisure offers protection against negative associations between financial distress and relationship quality (satisfaction and commitment) for lower‐ and higher‐income couples. We expected husbands' and wives' reports of shared leisure would be protective of the effects of financial distress (Time 2) on relationship satisfaction (Time 3) and commitment (Time 4) for higher‐income couples (but not lower‐income couples). Participants were drawn from a nationally representative, longitudinal study of US newly married couples. The analytic sample included both members of 1382 different‐gender couples with data across the three sampled waves of data collection. Shared leisure was largely protective of the effects of financial distress on husbands' commitment for higher‐income couples. For lower‐income couples, higher shared leisure exacerbated this effect. These effects were only found at extreme levels of household income and shared leisure. When considering if couples who play together stay together, our findings suggest that it can, but it is critical to understand the financial situation of the couple and the resources they may have to support shared leisure activities. Professionals working with couples should consider their financial situation when making recommendation to engage in shared leisure, such as going out for recreation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have established connections between how married couples navigate their finances and their sexual relationship. For example, financial management behaviors are associated with sexual satisfaction among newlywed couples. However, we know very little about the direction of the association between financial management behaviors and sexual satisfaction. Understanding which might predict the other, or if there might be a bidirectional association between the two, could provide information on where to intervene to help newlywed couples with financial or sexual obstacles in their marriage. With three waves of dyadic data (N = 1,205 U.S. newlywed couples), we used structural equation modeling to examine the bidirectional, indirect associations between husbands' and wives' financial management behaviors and their own sexual satisfaction through their own marital satisfaction. Overall, we found that financial management behaviors indirectly predicted changes in sexual satisfaction through marital satisfaction for both husbands and wives. We also found limited evidence that husbands' sexual satisfaction indirectly predicted changes in their own financial management behaviors through their own marital satisfaction. Additionally, these indirect associations differed by gender. Partner effects, however, were largely non-significant. Implications of these findings for those who help newlywed couples with their sexual relationships are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perceptions of power imbalance are common in relationships. We used the relational model of mindfulness to examine links between marital perceptions of power, relational and sexual well-being and to evaluate whether trait mindfulness and sexual mindfulness moderate these associations. Using a nationally representative sample (N = 1,519 couples at Wave III) of mixed-sex newlywed couples, an actor-partner-interdependence model indicated that trait mindfulness and state sexually mindful awareness buffered the link between men's and women's own perceived power imbalance and relational well-being. Sexually mindful non-judgment, however, accentuated the negative association between perceived power imbalance and sexual well-being for men. We discuss the need for therapists to consider the need to encourage mindful awareness to attenuate perceptions of power imbalances and to evaluate how sexually mindful non-judgment influences men's feelings of sexual well-being. Therapeutic implications of these findings are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As dyadic health science enters a golden age, important conceptual, theoretical, and technical challenges remain. This forum review brings together perspectives on the burgeoning dyadic literature from several subdisciplines within aging research. We first define key concepts and terms so that interested researchers can navigate the complex and various ways in which dyadic health research is conducted. We discuss exciting scientific advances and close by identifying crucial challenges and considerations that coincide with important future directions for the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We test whether perceived similarity of partners' financial values is associated with marital satisfaction and stability and whether financial communication mediates these associations. Background: Although many studies have found links between finances and marital satisfaction, marital stability has been understudied. Additionally, many studies have examined the impact of couple financial behaviors on marital outcomes but have failed to account for the role of financial values in shaping those behaviors. Couple and finances theory motivated the study and guided our hypotheses. Method: We used dyadic data from the Couple Relationships and Transition Experiences project, a nationally representative sample of newlyweds (N = 1,700 different‐sex couples). We conducted an actor–partner interdependence model to test direct and indirect associations. Results: Partners who perceived similar financial values are better able to communicate with their spouse about money, which in turn predicts marital satisfaction and stability. We found both actor and partner associations and evidence of both full and partial mediation. Conclusion: Our results support previous research demonstrating the importance of shared financial values in understanding relationship outcomes. Additionally, financial communication is a mechanism linking these constructs. Implications: Our findings may inform interventions for increasing marital satisfaction and stability and for improving couple financial communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have shown that if couples manage their money in sound ways, their marriages may benefit. Scholars have also shown that the quality of a marriage may precede positive financial behaviors. Previous studies have not determined the directionality of these processes, but researchers have assumed that it flows from financial variables to marital satisfaction. Utilizing a sample of U.S. mixed-gender, newlywed dyads (N = 1220), we examined which is a stronger association: financial processes predicting marital processes or marital processes predicting financial processes. Specifically, we estimated three dyadic, structural equation models to examine cross-lagged associations between husbands' and wives' own financial behaviors and their own marital satisfaction, between husbands' and wives' own financial communication and their own marital satisfaction, and between husbands' and wives' own financial behaviors and their own financial communication across two waves of data. We found that husbands' marital satisfaction predicted rank-order change in their reports of financial communication more strongly than the reverse. Furthermore, we found that wives' financial behaviors predicted rank-order change in their reports of financial communication more strongly than the reverse. These results have implications for theory, future research, and improving the financial and marital wellbeing of U.S. mixed-gender, newlywed couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some older adults may not receive social connection due to social withdrawal, potentially resulting in loneliness. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between social withdrawal and loneliness, in the context of sports participation. The authors hypothesized that individuals who are more shy and avoidant would be more lonely than those who are less shy and avoidant, and that those who are unsocial would not necessarily be more lonely. The authors also hypothesized individual sport participation would further exacerbate loneliness over group sport participation. Results from participants in the Huntsman Senior Games (n = 374) indicated that as shyness, avoidance, and unsociability increased, loneliness increased as well. Furthermore, shy athletes in group sports reported higher levels of loneliness than those in individual sports. Although the authors seek to prevent individuals from being lonely in later life, there may be instances where removing oneself from a group is beneficial for mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined links between grandparents' involvement and grandchildren's positive outcomes. Data were from 408 families taken from Time 1 and Time 2 (1 year later) of the Flourishing Families Project, which is a study involving families with a child between the ages of 10 and 14 at Time 1 (M age of child = 11.30, 49% female, 82% Caucasian). Results suggested that grandparents' emotional involvement at Time 1 was positively related to adolescents' prosocial behaviors concurrently and longitudinally, for single- and 2-parent families, and that grandparents' financial involvement at Time 1 was positively related to adolescents' school engagement at Time 2 (for single-parent families). Discussion focuses on the unique importance of grandparents' involvement, even after controlling for parent-child attachment.