Avoidance Of Intimacy Research Articles

The Effectiveness of EMOVERE: An Emotional Education Program for Young Couples.

Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of EMOVERE, a psychoeducational and experiential program to increase emotion regulation in couples. Forty-four young couples (n = 88) aged between 18 and 36 years old participated in the study (53.4% women; M = 24.18; SD = 4.34). Twenty-two couples belonged to the experimental group (received the intervention) and 22 to the control group (received no intervention). The intervention program consisted of seven two-hour sessions over a month, in groups of four to five couples. The variables studied were sociodemographic characteristics, emotional intelligence (TMMS-24), emotional inter-regulation with the partner (SIERC), attachment (ECR-S) and satisfaction with the relationship (RAS). The proposed design was quasi-experimental, with two randomized groups (experimental and control group) and longitudinal data from two occasions. SPSS version 24.0 was used to perform analysis of variance (MANOVA and MANCOVA), multiple hierarchical regression and reliable change index. PROCESS was also used for moderation analyses. The results indicate that the program is effective in increasing emotional self-regulation and emotion regulation with the partner, as well as reducing couples’ avoidance of intimacy. Age, relationship duration and previous relationship satisfaction moderate the effectiveness of the program. The importance of continuing this research line to address well-being of young populations is discussed.

Early Maladaptive Schemas as Determinants of Student's Youth Lifestyle

The article is devoted to the problems of studying the life style in psychology and the factors of its formation. The aim of the work is to establish the role of early maladaptive schemes as factors in the formation of certain aspects of student youth lifestyle. Early maladaptive schemes are considered according to J. Young's concept as models of reality perception which were formed in childhood under the influence of traumatic events and represent the perception and interpretation mechanisms of life experience. The empirical research was carried out on a student sample (21-27 years old) of both sexes; the total number of the studied people was 195. The method of early memories analysis and its quantitative assessment by the parameters of social interest, life position questionnaire, self-assessment of personality maturity, method of personality maturity diagnosis, world assumptions scale, diagnosing of interpersonal relationships style, differential emotions scale and J.Young’s early maladaptive schemas (EMS) questionnaire were used in the investigation. The results in six typical models lifestyles constructing were identified: "Avoidance of contact", "Superiority Complex", "Assertiveness", "Mimetism", "Maturity", "Interpersonal dependence". Specific and nonspecific mechanisms of EMS influence on lifestyles has been established. Nonspecific mechanism was revealed only for the "Interpersonal dependence" style. The styles "Avoidance of contact", "Mimetism", " Superiority Complex", "Assertiveness", "Maturity" revealed specific mechanisms, which consist in traumatic foundation presence formed by certain EMS for each style. "Avoidance of contact" is shaped like enhanced autonomy and intimacy avoidance. "Mimetism" is associated with overcoming the inferiority feelings by imitating worthy socially approved behavior. The "Superiority complex" is a protective "mask" associated with the conflict between the inferiority feeling and the Self-grandiosity. Life styles that are mature ("Maturity" and "Assertiveness") have traumatic basis, formed due to fixations in the early stages of personality development, and the ability to achieve mature aspects of personality occurs through various coping strategies.

Dysfunctional relationship beliefs as gendered predictors of alexithymia in Turkish cultural context

ABSTRACT The present research investigated the relationship between dysfunctional relationship beliefs (DRB) and alexithymia with a particular focus on gender among Turkish college students. Results indicated that different DRB predicts alexithymia in females and males. Intimacy avoidance predicted an increase of alexithymia scores in females, whereas intimacy avoidance and unrealistic relationship expectations predicted an increase of alexithymia scores in males. The results highlighted the association of intimacy avoidance with difficulty identifying and describing feelings in both genders, stronger in males when compared to other two DRB, namely unrealistic relationship expectations and mind reading. The results suggested that alexithymia is related to different forms of DRB in females and males, indicating potential intervention strategies and patterns in females’ and males’ alexithymia.

Peyronie's Disease: What About the Female Sexual Partner?

Peyronie's disease (PD) is an acquired wound-healing disorder of the penis involving fibrosis and scar formation within the tunica albuginea that can lead to various penile deformities resulting in penile pain, sexual dysfunction, low self-esteem, and emotional distress. While many studies highlight the psychosocial impact of PD on the patient, little is known about the female partner's experience regarding PD and its management. To evaluate and summarize the available clinical data on the effects of the disease and its management on female sexual partners of patients with PD. A search of the available medical literature using the MEDLINE and PubMed databases was performed. The queried terms included the following: Peyronie's disease, partner, female, dyspareunia, relationship, satisfaction, survey, and outcome. Studies were included only if the female sexual partners were directly evaluated or interviewed. PD can have a significant impact on the sexual function and satisfaction of female sexual partners. Most female sexual partners reported an improvement in their relationship, a decrease in sexual dysfunction, and improved overall satisfaction after both surgical and nonsurgical treatment. PD can be emotionally debilitating for patients and their partners. It has been associated with depression, social stigmatization, isolation, diminished self-worth, and avoidance of intimacy. A partner's experience with PD, as well as its management and outcomes, is an understudied entity that warrants further investigation and may be useful in guiding future treatment approaches. Kern T, Ye N, Abdelsayed GA. Peyronie's Disease: What About the Female Sexual Partner?. Sex Med Rev 2021;9:230-235.

Dysfunctional personality traits and demographic variables associated with violence risk in male sexual offenders: a study on Italian adult inmates

ABSTRACT Sexual offending is a highly relevant public health problem. The effectiveness of policies and interventions aimed at the reduction of violent (sexual and nonsexual) recidivism depends on our ability to develop accurate risk assessment tools. To assess the association between violence risk and psychopathy and dysfunctional personality traits in sexual offending, a national sample of 82 male sex offenders were administered the Italian translations of the HCR-20 V-3, the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised, and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5. Selected demographic variables were significantly and non-negligibly associated with increased risk of violence; moreover, specific PID-5 traits were found to be significantly, positively, and non-negligibly associated with sexual offender’s increased risk for violence. According to our findings, sexual offenders who were not working before conviction, have to serve a long time in jail, manifest prominent observer-rated psychopathy features, and report high scores on restricted affectivity, intimacy avoidance, callousness, distractibility, and irresponsibility, over and above their PID-5 psychopathy-related personality profile and PCL-R total score, are likely to have an increased risk for general violence. Our findings suggested that personality dysfunctions, as they are assessed relying on both PCL-R and PID-5, may play a major role as risk factors for general violence in male adult sexual offenders. Overall, our study provided useful data for increasing the understanding of the risk for general violence among male adult sexual offenders.

Abstract P2-12-07: Vaginal and sexual health of hormone-receptor positive breast cancer survivors on oral endocrine therapy: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) are highly effective forms of oral endocrine therapy (ET) used to prevent recurrences in women with hormone-receptor positive (HR+) breast cancer, often with a treatment duration of five or more years. However, the host of side effects women may experience, some related to vaginal health and sexual functioning, greatly impact quality of life (QoL). Those who experience side effects from oral ET are more likely to become non-adherent to their treatment protocol, adversely affecting survival outcomes. Despite this, general communication between cancer patients and their oncologists about sexual health is limited. Few studies have focused specifically on vaginal and sexual health when investigating ET side effects and patient-provider communication in women with HR+ breast cancer. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vaginal and sexual-related side-effects in women with HR+ breast cancer on oral ET. Secondary objectives were to examine patient-provider communication around sexual health, female sexual dysfunction (FSD), and QoL in this patient population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between July 2017 and June 2018 in the outpatient oncology clinic at St. Michael’s Hospital (SMH), a tertiary-care center in Toronto, Canada. English-speaking women with HR+ breast cancer who had a treatment history with Tamoxifen or an AI (Anastrozole, Letrozole or Exemestane) for ≥ 6 consecutive months were eligible to participate. We developed a questionnaire to obtain self-reported information about vaginal and sexual-related side effects, sexual history, and patient-provider communication around sexual health. Two validated questionnaires were also used. Total scores for the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) could range from 1.2 to 36.0, with ≤ 26.55 indicating possible female sexual dysfunction (FSD). Domain scores within the 1-week recall version of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) range from one to eight, with higher scores indicating worse QoL. Additional demographic and clinical variables were collected from electronic medical records. Results: The mean age of the 151 respondents was 56.2 (±10.3), 51.0% of which were receiving Tamoxifen and 49.0% an AI. Ninety-six (63.6%) reported having a current sexual partner, and 71 (47.0%) reported being sexually active. Hot flashes/insomnia (41.7%), decreased libido (32.5%), and vaginal dryness (27.8%) were the three most commonly reported side effects that women experienced “all the time” in the past year. Only 44 (29.1%) women reported ever having been asked about their vaginal and/or sexual health by their oncologist, but 123 (81.5%) reported that they would be comfortable discussing this topic with them. Almost half of participants (68/151, 45.0%) indicated that their current vaginal or sexual-related side effects are not severe enough to want treatment. Thirty-four (22.5%) indicated wanting to know what their options are to best address side effects, 28 (18.5%) would be open to potential treatment for side effects, and 21 (13.9%) would be interested in seeing a physician specialist. Of the 87 women who fully completed the FSFI, 67 (77%) were classified as likely experiencing FSD. The mean score in the MENQOL’s sexual QoL domain was 3.89 ± 2.38 (n = 119), which indicated greater rates of vaginal dryness, avoidance of intimacy, and decreased sexual desire in this group. Conclusion: Our results support the notion that side effect management and patient-provider communication should be prioritized to optimize the vaginal and sexual health of women with HR+ breast cancer receiving oral ET. Women may be unaware of potential treatment options that can help manage side effects accompanying this therapy, and possibly accept these as a new standard of life. Citation Format: Amy Skitch, Alexandra Moskalewicz, Samantha Scime, Rosane Nisenbaum, Ronita Lee, Rashida Haq, Christine Dzerko, Christine Brezden-Masley. Vaginal and sexual health of hormone-receptor positive breast cancer survivors on oral endocrine therapy: A cross-sectional study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-12-07.

Women in Christian Substance Abuse Treatment; Forgiveness, Attachment Styles, and Improvements in Co-occurring Mental Health Symptoms.

The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of The Recovery Center at Shalom House Ministries and examine the relationship(s) between forgiveness, attachment styles, drug and alcohol abuse, self-reported mental health symptoms, and cognitive functioning. Participants (N = 118 women) attended Shalom Recovery (2016-2018). Statistically significant improvement was found between entrance and the 3-month mark on all measures, with 67.9% completing the program. Findings indicated that the revenge motivations correlated with depression, self-esteem, anxiety, and avoidance of intimacy with God, but only this latter scale contributed to a multiple regression model on revenge motivations at program entry.

Partner attachment and the development of traumatic and anxious-depressive symptoms among university students

Summary Context : A wide literature has demonstrated how attachment style can impact symptomatology, for instance anxious, depressive, and post-traumatic symptoms. Life as a student, as a transition period between adolescence and adulthood, constituting a at-risk population in terms of health measures, may be particularly interesting to study regarding attachment to a partner and anxiety, depression, and trauma. The aims of this study were to evaluate in a French University student population: (1) the presence of anxious, depressive, and post-traumatic symptoms; and (2) the relationship between those symptoms and the attachment style with the partner. Method: Based on volunteer French students, we conducted an internet-based data collection procedure with online questionnaires (PCLS, HADS, ECR). Results: Both attachment dimensions (i.e., abandonment anxiety and intimacy avoidance) impacted post-traumatic symptoms (PCLS score). The higher the attachment anxiety score, the higher the HAD scores of anxiety and depression. In contrast, a decrease in the attachment avoidance score was associated with an increase in the anxiety and depression HAD score. Discussion: From a psychotherapeutic perspective, consideration might be given to attachment style as a risk factor, maybe even a psychopathological vulnerability. From a clinical point of view, we must take that parameter into account to explain the clinical situation of patients.

Measuring romantic competence in young adults: The Inventory of Romantic Relationship Competence

This article presents psychometric data for a 35-item self-report instrument measuring romantic relationship competence in two separate samples of young adult college students. In study 1 (N = 219), results from Parallel Analysis and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) suggested the extraction of seven domains of romantic relationship competence: relationship locus of control, perspective taking, intimacy avoidance, emotion regulation, romantic appeal, conflict resolution skills, and temperament. In study 2 (N = 907), a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) provided support for the aforementioned factor structure albeit with minor revisions (i.e., correlated errors between three pairs of items). MIMIC modeling results provided support for partial measurement invariance across gender. A CFA-based method of estimating scale reliability demonstrated acceptable to good reliability indices. Bivariate correlations with other social competence and self-esteem measures provided support for convergent and divergent validity. An excel-based applet is available to readers who are interested in using the 35-item IRRC with individual respondents (e.g., practitioners). Researchers interested in using the measure within the context of structural equation modeling should model relevant non-invariant parameters before proceeding with the evaluation of structural parameters. This instrument demonstrates promise as an instrument for measuring domains of romantic relationship competence within the emerging adult population.

The Psychometric Properties of the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) in a Colombian Clinic Sample

Objective: to validate the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) in a Colombian clinical population and the gender differences. Participants: 341 patients between 18 and 60 years of age, 60% of women. Method: Confirmatory Factor Analyses (AFC) and concurrent validity whit PBQ-SF. Results: supported the existence of the 25 first-order factors. In terms of domains (second-order analysis), several organization models were posed. The results supported the model proposed by Krueger, Derringer, Markon, Watson, and Skodol (2012): c2(2661, n = 341) = 3350, RMSEA = 0.028 (90% CI: 0.025; 0.030), CFI = 0.99, NNFI=0.99. Men scored significantly higher than women on grandiosity, irresponsibility, manipulativeness, risk-taking, antagonism, and disinhibition. Women scored significantly higher than men on emotional lability and intimacy avoidance. The concurrent validity of PID with the PBQ-SF was high, giving support to the traits of personality disorder models of the DSM-5.

Internal Working Models of Attachment Relationships and HIV Outcomes Among Women Living With HIV.

Treatment adherence and viral suppression remain suboptimal in the United States. Attachment insecurity may be one understudied factor affecting adherence. According to attachment theory, people develop generalized internal working models of interpersonal relationships, which shape their perceptions of the availability of others at times of stress and how they handle stressors as an individual. Two dimensions of attachment insecurity are attachment-related avoidance (avoidance of intimacy with others and avoidance of negative emotions) and attachment-related anxiety (feeling unable to deal with stressors without others' help). For people living with chronic stressful health conditions that require life-long self-management, attachment-related avoidance and attachment-related anxiety may diminish the ability to cope with stressors as an individual leading to negative health outcomes. We examined cross-sectional associations of the 2 attachment-related insecurity dimensions with antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence, HIV visit adherence, CD4 cell counts, and viral suppression. Survey and clinical data from 453 women living with HIV in 4 US cities were analyzed controlling for age, education, income, time on ART, illicit drug use, and race. Attachment-related avoidance was the only unique predictor of suboptimal ART adherence, viral failure, and low CD4 count, and attachment-related anxiety was the only unique predictor of missed HIV care visits. These effects were over and above the effects of all covariates. ART adherence mediated the association of attachment-related avoidance with both viral failure and low CD4 counts. Interventions may need to focus on the vulnerable subpopulation with high attachment insecurity and incorporate existing strategies that address insecure attachment models.

Romantic relationships and nonsuicidal self-injury among college students: The mediating role of emotion regulation

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is an increasing health problem among college students. Research about risk factors behind the development of this behavior has been limited. This study aims to test whether emotion regulation mediates the connection between romantic relationships and NSSI. Participants were 566 college students (72.8% female) between 18 and 35years old. Eighty participants (14.1%) reported having injured themselves. Emotion regulation fully mediated the associations between NSSI and four important subdomains of romantic relationships, namely, avoidance of intimacy, anxiety over abandonment, violence victimization, and violence perpetration. We specified a model that evidences the mediating role of the emotion regulation between romantic relationships (romantic attachment and intimate partner violence) and NSSI. This study makes a unique contribution by assessing the pathway through which romantic relationship functioning impact NSSI.

Examining the DSM-5 Section III Criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder in a Community Sample.

The current study examined the extent to which the trait-based operationalization of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) in Section III of the DSM-5 describes the same construct as the one described in Section II. A community sample of 313 adults completed a series of personality inventories indexing the DSM-5 Sections II and III diagnostic criteria for OCPD, in addition to a measure of functional impairment modelled after the criteria in Section III. Results indicated that latent constructs representing Section II and Section III OCPD overlapped substantially (r = .75, p < .001). Hierarchical latent regression models revealed that at least three of the four DSM-5 Section III facets (Rigid Perfectionism, Perseveration, and Intimacy Avoidance) uniquely accounted for a large proportion of variance (53%) in a latent Section II OCPD variable. Further, Anxiousness and (low) Impulsivity, as well as self and interpersonal impairment, augmented the prediction of latent OCPD scores.

What’s good for me depends on what I see in you: Intimacy avoidance and resources derived from close others

Past research has demonstrated that comfort with intimacy differentially affects the extent to which a person assimilates/contrasts to a close other. Specifically, individuals comfortable with intimacy benefit most from assimilating to those who embody positive aspects, whereas individuals uncomfortable with intimacy benefit most from contrasting to those who embody a mix of positive and negative aspects. Using a multi-method approach, the current research provides evidence suggesting that both those who are positively regarded and those who engender mixed feelings have the potential to benefit the perceiver differentially as a function of the types of traits that are most salient at the time. In Study 1, consistent with predictions, high-avoidant individuals contrasted to the salient traits of a romantic partner and performed better on an intelligence test after thinking about their partner’s unintelligent compared to intelligent traits, whereas low-avoidant individuals assimilated. In Study 2, high-avoidant individuals contrasted to friends’ traits and exhibited more positive cardiovascular responses (i.e., greater challenge) while talking about friends’ negative traits and more negative responses (i.e., greater threat) while talking about friends’ positive traits. Together, these findings suggest that there are situations during which low- and high-avoidant individuals differentially benefit from highly regarded close others.

Beliren yetişkinlik dönemindeki bireylerde ilişkilerle ilgili bilişsel çarpıtmalar ve psikolojik iyi oluş arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi

The main purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between cognitive distortions and psychological wellbeing in emerging adulthood university students. The research was carried on 253 university students who continue their education in Ataturk University Kazım Karabekir Education Faculty in 2016-2017 education years. Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale and Psychological Well Being Scale were used in the research. On the data obtained in the survey the relationship between cognitive distortions and psychological wellbeing is examined with Pearson correlation analysis, and the predictive effect of cognitive distortions in psychological wellbeing is examined with hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Research results indicate that there is a negative significant relationship between cognitive distortions avoidance of intimacy sub scale and psychological wellbeing and a positive significant relationship between mind reading and psychological wellbeing. Besides avoidance of intimacy and mind reading are significant predictors of psychological wellbeing.

The Mediating Effect of Adult Attachment on the Relation between Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Perpetration and Victimization in Thailand

The current study investigated the effects of exposure to abusive and supportive childhood experiences on intimate partner perpetration and victimization using adult attachment as a mediator. A sample of 1010 heterosexual adults completed measures of the Exposure to Abusive and Supportive Environments Parenting Inventory (EASE-PI), Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-R), Adult Attachment Questionnaire, and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2). Structural equation modeling revealed that abusive childhood experiences affected perpetration and victimization directly and indirectly through anxiety over abandonment and avoidance of intimacy, supportive childhood experiences affected perpetration through anxiety over abandonment, and affected victimization through both anxiety over abandonment and avoidance of intimacy. The implications suggested a decrease in abusive childhood experiences and an increase in supportive childhood experiences are necessary to reduce IPV perpetration and victimization. s and industries. The study also investigates the effects of years of job tenure on gender wage gaps. The results demonstrate that, in both provinces, regardless of industry, the size of the organization proves significant in explaining gender wage gaps, while years of tenure are insignificant. this study showed that students who have learned through the E-book method achieve design efficiently better in their post-test scores than those in the traditional method. Students at the internal motivation level perform design efficiently better in their post-test scores than those at external motivation level. The E-book method proved to help students with external motivation in their post-test score motivation.

Examination of the Relationship Between Adolescents Social Anxiety, Cognitions, and Attitudes

The purpose of this study is the investigation of the relationship between cognitive distortions and non-functional attitudes of adolescences, their social appearance concerns, and social comparison levels. Study sample comprises 319 high school students from Arnavutkoy District of the City of Istanbul. Study data were obtained using “Dysfunctional attitude scale, Cognitive distortion in interpersonal relations scale, social appearance anxiety scale, social comparison scale” and the “demographics form” created by the author. Data collected were analyzed using SPSS 21 software package. Spearman Correlation Analysis was used to analyze the relationship between scores that obtained from scales. T-test and Kruskal Wallis Test were used to compare the scores that obtained from scales. Study Findings suggest that adolescents' nonfunctional attitude scale scores are associated with cognitive distortions, social anxiety, and social comparisons. It has been observed that the need for approval and perfectionist attitude play a very central role in the cognitive distortions of adolescents. It is also noteworthy that these attitudes are the only relationship we have in our comparison with others. Social anxiety has been found to be strongly associated with both our cognitive distortions in relation to others, as well as all nonfunctional attitudes. Avoidance of intimacy and non-realistic relationship expectation from cognitive distortions have a strong relationship with perfectionist attitude and need for approval. This study reports the central role of perfectionist attitude and need for approval in relation to social anxiety and social comparison to different attitudes and cognitive distortions.

Способность к эмпатии качество интерперсональных отношений у подростков и молодежи

We present the results of the study of the relationship between empathy and the quality of interpersonal relations in adolescents and students. Interpersonal relations are operationalized through attachment styles — secure, anxious—preoccupied and avoiding. We review studies of the impact of attachment on empathy development. The present study involved 169 people, including school, college, and university students. We used the Interpersonal Reactivity Index by M. Davis and forced-choice attachment paragraphs by C. Hazan and F. Shaver. Students with secure attachment have the lowest level of personal distress. Empathic concern and the perspective taking indicators are higher in the ambivalent attachment group in comparison with the avoidantly attached students. It is concluded that avoidance of intimacy with other people is accompanied by less pronounced empathy than striving for intimacy and a simultaneous fear of rejection.

Romantic Attachment and Adjustment to Divorce and Separation in a Chilean Adult Sample

ABSTRACTThis study aims to assess the extent to which the dimensions of romantic attachment, anxiety over abandonment, and avoidance of intimacy predict adjustment to divorce and separation. A sample of 190 Chilean participants, either separated or divorced, self-reported measures of romantic attachment and adjustment to divorce and separation. Results reveal that anxiety over abandonment predicts negative loneliness in men and women. However, avoidance of intimacy is a predictor of negative loneliness only in the case of women. In addition, only anxiety over abandonment predicts the persistence of feelings of attachment toward the ex-partner, but not avoidance of intimacy, and this pattern of results was similar in men and women. The clinical implications of these results and future lines of research are discussed.

Understanding the Relationship between Attachment, Caregiving, and Same Sex Intimate Partner Violence

Despite the well documented prevalence of same sex intimate partner violence (SSIPV), its dynamics remain relatively poorly understood. Building on the established value of attachment theory’s contribution to understanding heterosexual intimate partner violence, we provide a detailed examination of the relationship between the attachment system and SSIPV, while broadening our scope to include the caregiving system. A total of 310 American and Canadian individuals involved in same sex romantic relationships participated in an online survey. Hierarchical regressions revealed that attachment and caregiving variables shared significant amounts of variance with SSIPV, with avoidance of intimacy and proximity making independent contributions. Based on significant overlap between the attachment and caregiving dimensions, subsequent analyses were conducted to provide composite variables used to predict SSIPV.