Dyadic Adjustment Research Articles

A Cross-sectional Study of Female HIV Patient Perspective of Dyadic Adjustment in HIV Sero-concordant and Sero-discordant couples

Background: Dyadic Adjustment is defined as the process with which couples form a steady relationship. This study assessed dyadic adjustment in HIVcouples in Ogun State, Nigeria.
 Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out among 458 women accessing HIV care in tertiary hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. Participants were evaluated using the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale and analyzed using the Stata/SE 15.1 statistical Package. Chi-square and t-tests were used to determine the correlates of dyadic adjustment (Distress/Non-distress) while logistic regression was used to determine the predictors of distress.
 Results: Only 28.82% had relationship distress while the majority (71.18%) had no distress. There was a statistically significant association between marital status and the level of distress. Those who were currently married were less likely to have distress than those who were single or previously married.
 Conclusion: Those who were not married were more predisposed to distress. More support for these groups is therefore recommended.
 Keywords: Couple, Distress, Dyadic adjustment, HIV, Sero-concordant, Sero-discordant

Validation de la version française de l’échelle de satisfaction sexuelle

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to validate a French version of the Index of Sexual Satisfaction. This unidimensional scale, the most widely used in international studies, evaluates sexual satisfaction in the context of couple relationships. MethodsA total of 646 participants, 468 women and 178 men with an average age of 35.18 years old (SD: 13.77), completed 3 questionnaires: the French version of the Index Sexual Satisfaction (Comeau & Boisvert, 1985), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADS) and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale-16 (DAS-16) online. Analyses were conducted in three stages: (1) descriptive, correlational and exploratory factorial analyses to verify the properties of the items; (2) confirmatory analyses to confirm the version obtained; and (3) concurrent validity analysis. ResultsThe analysis of the distribution of the items, the inter-item and item-total correlations, and the hierarchical oblique factor analysis led to the exclusion of 6 items. Confirmatory factor analysis of this 19-item version showed satisfactory indicators (RMSEA=0.012; SRMR=0.065; CFI=0.999; TLI=0.999; GFI=0.99) and Cronbach's alpha is 0.96. The results revealed that men are more sexually dissatisfied. The ISS-19 score is moderately and positively correlated with age and length of relationship. Finally, the correlations showed that depression is associated with a decrease in sexual satisfaction while the quality of interactions is associated with an increase in sexual satisfaction. The scale measures a general factor of sexual satisfaction. ConclusionThis study provided a 19-item French version of the Index of Sexual Satisfaction, providing a valid and reliable self-reported measure of sexual satisfaction. The results were discussed in light of their clinical and scientific implications.

Factors related to dyadic adjustment in couples with children of pediatric age.

To identify a relationship between social support, family life cycle, family transition and stressful events; and the dyadic adjustment among couples from Seville with children of pediatric age. Descriptive, observational and cross-sectional study. Ninety-five Sevillian couples were recruited following a consecutive stratified sampling by quotas. They filled in a questionnaire with the study variables and the Dyadic Adjustment and Social Support scales. Data collection was carried out in 2015. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Seville. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskall-Wallis non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis, and Spearman test for correlation between variables. Significance was stated for P<.05. The couples were mostly marriages with good dyadic adjustment and social support. A percentage of 26.3 had infant and 73.7% children of school age. No relationship between the life cycle nor the family transition and the dyadic adjustment were identified. The beginning-end of schooling was related to spousal cohesion and there were positive correlations between dyadic adjustment and social support; and negative correlations between the number of children and social support, consensus and satisfaction of the couple. Social support and the number of children are identified as the main conditioning factors of dyadic adjustment. In this sense, it is essential to know the resources available to each couple to face the difficulties where social support and the union between the spouses can help them face the challenges.

Role alteration predicts anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of infants with congenital heart disease: a pilot study.

Parents of infants born with critical congenital heart disease are at risk for adverse mental health symptoms. The purpose of this study was to identify infant-, parent-, and environmental-based stressors for mothers and fathers after their infants' cardiac surgery, and to explore relationships between stressors and mental health symptoms of anxiety and depression. This study enrolled 28 biological mother-father dyads from families admitted to the paediatric cardiac intensive care unit for cardiac surgery at one free-standing children's hospital in the Northeast. Paired t-tests were used to examine group differences between mothers and fathers on perceived stressors and mental health symptoms, while linear mixed effects modelling was used to explore the predictive relationship between perceived stressors, personal factors, and mental health symptoms. Mothers reported higher perceived stressor scores of parental role alteration (t = 4.03, p < 0.01) and infant appearance and behaviour (t = 2.61, p = 0.02), and total perceived stress (t = 2.29 p = 0.03), compared to fathers. Mothers also reported higher anxiety (t = 2.47, p = 0.02) and depressive symptoms (t = 3.25, p < 0.01) than fathers. In multivariable analysis, parental role alteration significantly predicted anxiety (t = 5.20, p < 0.01, d = 0.77) and depressive symptoms (t = 7.09, p < 0.01, d = 1.05) for mothers and fathers. The consensus subscale of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale also significantly predicted depressive symptoms (t=-2.42, p = 0.02, d = 0.04). Parents were distressed during their infant's admission for surgical repair for critical congenital heart disease. Parental role alteration was significantly associated with parental anxiety and depressive symptoms, while poor relationship quality was associated with depressive symptoms, highlighting areas for potential nursing-led psychosocial led interventions.

Comparison of Marital and Sexual Functioning of the Spouses of Patients with Schizophrenia and Depressive Disorders

Aim: This study assessed the various aspects of marital functioning among the spouses of patients with schizophrenia and recurrent depressive disorder (RDD). Methodology: Spouses were assessed on Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), Marital Forgiveness Scale, Quality Marriage Index, New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and Arizona Sexual Experience Questionnaire. Results: Compared to the spouses of patients with RDD, spouses of patients with schizophrenia reported poor marital adjustment (in the consensus and satisfaction domains of DAS), lower quality of marriage, and significantly lower sexual satisfaction. Spouses did not differ significantly on account of marital forgiveness and prevalence of sexual dysfunction. Higher age of onset of schizophrenia in the patients was associated with better quality of marriage as assessed by using quality of marriage scale, better consensus, and satisfaction as per the DAS. Higher residual psychopathology and poor socio-occupational functioning in patients with schizophrenia were associated with poor marital adjustment and sexual satisfaction. Conclusion: To conclude, the present study depicts that the spouses of patients with schizophrenia have poorer marital adjustment and sexual satisfaction, in comparison to the spouses of patients with RDD.

Efficacy of dialectical behavioral therapy DBT for couples with emotional dysregulation

IntroductionCouple therapy continues to gain in stature as a vital component of mental health services. The linkage of relationship distress to disruption of individual emotional and physical well-being emphasizes the importance of improving and extending empirically based strategies for treating couple distressObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy “DBT” in outpatients couples with emotional dysregulationMethodsTwenty couples presented with marital distress and at least one of them suffers from emotional dysregulation assigned at their convenience or according to immediate availability of treatment slot to a couple DBT group. Arabic version of DERS was used for assessment of emotional dysregulation before and after intervention. Dyadic Adjustment Scale was used for assessment of marital adjustmentResults Both male and female partners showed significant improvement in marital adjustment and emotional regulation. Female partner showed significant higher change amplitude in both scales. Female partners showed significant improvement in all DERS subscales except for (GOALS) subscale (significant decrease), while male partners showed significant improvement in (IMPULSE), (AWARNESS), (STRATEGIES) and (CLARITY) subscalesConclusionsDialectical behavioral therapy for couples is an effective approach to couples with emotional dysregulation in one or both partnersDisclosureNo significant relationships.

Primary and secondary caregiver depressive symptoms and family functioning following a pediatric cancer diagnosis: an exploration of the buffering hypothesis.

After diagnosis, caregivers of children with cancer, particularly mothers or primary caregivers (PCs), often show elevated depressive symptoms which may negatively impact family functioning. We tested PC and secondary caregiver (SC) depressive symptoms as predictors of family, co-parenting, and marital functioning and whether having a non-depressed SC buffers against potential negative effects of PC depressive symptoms. Families (N=137) were recruited from two major children's hospitals following a diagnosis of pediatric cancer. Caregivers completed self-report measures of depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale; Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale) and marital functioning (Dyadic Adjustment Scale) at 1-month post-diagnosis. A subset of families (n=75) completed videotaped interaction tasks at approximately 3-months post-diagnosis that were coded for family and co-parenting interactions. Higher PC depressive symptoms at 1-month post-diagnosis was associated with higher adaptability and lower conflict in family functioning. PC depressive symptoms were also associated lower dyadic consensus and lower dyadic satisfaction. SC depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with any family/co-parenting/marital functioning variables. Significant interaction analyses suggested that SC depressive symptoms moderated the effect of PC depressive symptoms on family cohesion, withdrawn parenting, and affective expression in the marriage, such that the relationship between PC depressive symptoms and poorer functioning was attenuated when SC depressive symptoms were at low or average levels. Having a nondepressed SC buffered against negative effects of PC depressive symptoms on certain domains of family, coparenting, and marital functioning. SCs may play a protective role for families of children with cancer.

Communication Pattern, Dyadic Adjustment, and Parenting Practices among Married Couples in India: Mediating Role of Dyadic Coping

The primary goal of the current study was to examine the dyadic association between communication patterns (CP), dyadic coping (DC) efforts, dyadic adjustment (DA), and parenting practices (PP), using a sample of 340 married couples ( N = 680) in India. The findings from the actor–partner interdependence mediation modeling (APIMeM) indicated that the husbands showed both actor and partner effects between all the variables. The actor and partner effects were not significant for the link between communication patterns and dyadic coping for wives. Still, they showed significant actor and partner effects for the association between dyadic coping and dyadic adjustment, as well as parenting practices. One’s own and spouse’s dyadic coping mediated the association between communication patterns and dyadic adjustment and parenting practices for husbands but not wives. These findings shed light on the communication and coping mechanisms and their link with adjustment and parenting practices among couples beyond Western cultural contexts.

The mediational role of intimate partner acceptance and psychological adjustment in the relationship between intimate partner control and marital adjustment

Grounded in Interpersonal Acceptance-Rejection Theory (IPARTheory), this exploratory study investigated the associations among perceived intimate partner rejection, intimate partner control, psychological maladjustment, and marital adjustment. Perceived behavioral control in intimate partner relationships has been under-researched within the context of IPARTheory. Although the role of behavioral control in child/adolescent-parent relationships has been well-established, insufficient exploration of the phenomenon in marriage relationships calls for new empirical findings. The conveniently selected sample consisted of 624 (360 female, 264 male) married individuals living in big cities of Turkey. Intimate Partner Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire, Personality Assessment Questionnaire, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Demographic Form were utilized to gather data. Structural Equation Modeling was utilized as the primary analysis to test the proposed sequential mediational model of the study. The results indicated that intimate partner behavioral control was significantly and indirectly associated with marital adjustment through the mediating effects of intimate partner rejection and psychological maladjustment. Moreover, intimate partner rejection had direct effects on psychological maladjustment and marital adjustment. The indirect effect of intimate partner rejection on marital adjustment via the mediation of psychological maladjustment was found to be significant. Lastly, the sequential mediation by intimate partner rejection and psychological maladjustment in the relationship between intimate partner control and marital adjustment was also significant. This study adds to the existing literature on IPARTheory by showing that perceived intimate partner behavioral control is quite negatively related to marital adjustment. Results underscore how perceived behavioral control by a spouse triggers rejection and diminishes the psychological adjustment of the controlled partner.

Predictors of Negative Childbirth Experiences Among French Women

ObjectivesTo describe the prevalence of negative childbirth experiences and to identify potential predictors, including demographic, prenatal, obstetric, and psychological factors, of these experiences among French women. DesignDescriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study. SettingA maternity ward in a hospital located near Paris, France. ParticipantsA total of 256 women between the ages of 18 and 46 years were recruited while hospitalized in the maternity ward 1 to 6 days after childbirth. MethodsParticipants completed a personal information form and five self-report scales: the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Relationship Scales Questionnaire, and the Questionnaire Assessing the Childbirth Experience. We performed linear regression analyses and used scores on the Questionnaire Assessing the Childbirth Experience as the dependent variable. We considered prenatal, psychological, and obstetric factors as independent variables and adjusted results for covariates. ResultsThe prevalence of a negative childbirth experience was 23.3% among our participants. We identified primiparity, high anxiety trait scores, and an anxious attachment style as the prenatal variables that contributed significantly to negative perceptions of childbirth based on the first step of the regression analysis (R2 = .18; p < .001). We evaluated objective birth-related variables during the second step and found that mode of birth and use of epidural analgesia were significative predictors of the negative childbirth experience (R2 = 0.36; p < .001). The last set of variables included subjective birth-related factors, such as absence of the partner during birth and low perceived sense of control; these variables increased the explained variance from 36% to 69% (p < .001) and showed that these aspects were powerful predictors of a negative childbirth experience. ConclusionsGiven that some prenatal factors influence women’s perceptions of their birth experiences, preventive measures can be implemented by health professionals to support women with risk factors. In the early postpartum period, health care professionals should focus on subjective variables of childbirth because they strongly predict the overall childbirth experience for women.

Marital Stability and Quality of Couple Relationships after Acquired Brain Injury: A Two-Year Follow-Up Clinical Study.

Couple relationships after acquired brain injury (ABI) could be vulnerable to emotional distress. Previous evidence has demonstrated significant marital dissatisfaction in the first period after a traumatic event, while long-term evaluations are lacking. In this study, we evaluated the impact of a series of demographic and clinical factors on marital stability after two years from the injury. Thirty-five patients (29% female) with mild/moderate ABI (57% vascular, 43% traumatic) and their partners were enrolled. The couples completed a series of psychological questionnaires assessing marital adjustment (Dyadic Adjustment Scale, DAS) and family functioning (Family Relationship Index, FRI) at discharge from the intensive rehabilitation unit and after 2 years. Demographics (i.e., educational level, job employment and religion commitment) and clinical variables (i.e., the Barthel index, aetiology and brain lesion localization) were considered as predictive factors. Regression analyses revealed that the DAS and FRI values are differently influenced by demographic and clinical factors in patients and caregivers. Indeed, the highest educational level corresponds to better DAS and FRI values for patients. In the spouses, the variability of the DAS values was explained by aetiology (the spouses of traumatic ABI patients had worse DAS values), whereas the variability in the FRI values was explained by religious commitment (spending much time on religious activities was associated with better FRI values). Our data suggest that some clinical and demographic variables might be important for protecting against marital dissatisfaction after an ABI.

A dyadic approach to stress and prenatal depression in first-time parents: The mediating role of marital satisfaction.

In the field of perinatal clinical psychology, most studies focus on mothers' psychological states during pregnancy, neglecting the role of their partners. This study used an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model to evaluate the mediating role of dyadic satisfaction on the relationship between perceived stress and prenatal depressive symptomatology in both members of male-female-mixed-gender couples who were expecting their first child. One hundred thirty-eight couples in their third trimester of pregnancy were asked to complete questionnaires about perceived stress, dyadic adjustment, and depression. The model revealed that there was an intrapersonal indirect effect of fathers' perceived stress on prenatal paternal depression through their marital satisfaction. Moreover, an interpersonal indirect effect was found with mothers' perceived stress being associated with prenatal paternal depression through fathers' dyadic satisfaction. Maternal indirect effects were all non-significant, suggesting that their dyadic satisfaction and that of their partner did not mediate the relation between their perceived stress and that of their partner and their prenatal depression. Findings support the importance of assessing the dyadic satisfaction of couples during pregnancy, especially in expectant fathers, and targeting it in the psychological support offered to couples as a way of improving their prenatal distress, and consequently, their mental health.

The Relationships Between Self-compassion, Positive and Negative Affect, and Marital Quality in Infertile Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objectives: Infertility presents extensive psychological effects on infertile couple’s marital life, especially in women during infertility treatment. Studying the essential psychological factors and their correlations on a large scale could rehabilitate the mental health of infertile women and facilitate the stressful process of infertility treatment. This systematic review aimed to study the literature and relationships among self-compassion, positive and negative affect, and marital quality in infertile women. Methods: To examine the considered association, a comprehensive literature search was performed to identify relevant articles in English and Persian published from 2000 to May 2020 and indexed in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, Jstore, Cochrane Library, Medline, SID, Irandoc, Civilica, and Magiran. The study eligibility criteria included only infertile couples/women who were clinically diagnosed with infertility. The measurement tools used by studies consisted of at least one of the following: Self-Compassion Scale (SCS); Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS); Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS), and infertility-related questionnaires. The search strategy of this review was per PICO (Population, Intervention, Control, and Outcomes) and included the terms Self-Compassion (SC), Positive and Negative Affect (PANA), and Marital Quality (MQ) in infertile women. To identify further eligible studies, the bibliographies of primary articles were manually searched to meet the inclusion criteria. The quality of studies was graded by GRADE from the Cochrane handbook. The studies were investigated concerning design, risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication. Results: SC could play a mediating role in the relationship with PANA, and MQ in infertile women undergoing infertility treatment. Discussion: This systematic review highlighted the importance of addressing psychological characteristics which can affect the biopsychological health of infertile women undergoing infertility treatment.

Emotional disorders, marital adaptation and the moderating role of social support for couples under treatment for infertility

Over the last few years, the impact of infertility on the psychological well-being of couples has been well recognised. Men and women with infertility experience stress, anxiety and depression and their relationship might be under pressure. We conducted a non-experimental correlational descriptive study where transversal analysis using questionnaires and quantitative data was performed for 76 couples with diagnosed infertility under the care of various reproductive medicine clinics in Romania between 2018 to 2019. Participants were asked to fill, via internet or in person, a set of tests including data on socio-demographic and infertility characteristics along with five psychological tests: The Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-12. The aim of the study was to explore how couples with infertility respond and adapt to this diagnosis and to assess the relationship between emotional disorders, marital adjustment and social support. Mean age of females was 34.2 and of males 36.7 and 38.2% of the couples were experiencing infertility for > 6 years. Women had worse scores on infertility-related distress (FPI) (t = -4.35, p = 0.01), on the BDI depression scale (t = -5.43, p = 0.01) and on anxiety scales (t = -5.48, p = 0.01). Participants with a longer duration of infertility scored significantly higher on infertility-related distress than those with more recent difficulties. Marital adjustment scores correlated negatively with emotional disorders. Both appraisal social support and belonging support moderated the relationship between state-anxiety and marital adjustment. Infertility carries a significant psychological burden for the couple and the longer its duration, the higher the distress level. Women seem to be more vulnerable to its psychological consequences. Marital adjustment correlates negatively with the degree of emotional disorders. In couples with high levels of social support, the relationship between state-anxiety and marital adjustment was negatively correlated.

Conditional regard, stress, and dyadic adjustment in primiparous couples: A dyadic analysis perspective.

Many couples transitioning into parenthood are at risk for dyadic adjustment declines. It is therefore important to explore key, theory-driven deterrents of enduring relationships during this period, as well as potential underlying mechanisms. This study examined the relationship between perceived conditional negative regard (i.e. a behavior that thwarts basic psychological needs; T1), stress (T1), and dyadic adjustment (T2) during the transition to parenthood. Primiparous couples (N = 144) were recruited to fill out an online questionnaire when their babies were 6-months (T1) and 12-months (T2). Path analysis with an Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was conducted. Results show that for each partner (actor effects), stress (T1) mediated the link between perceived conditional negative regard (T1), and later dyadic adjustment (T2). For the partner effects, while stress (T1) did not play a mediating role between these variables, other partner effects were found. Each primiparous parent’s perceived conditional negative regard (T1) was associated with the other parent’s later dyadic adjustment (T2). However, when examining longitudinal changes in stress and dyadic adjustment over time (T2, controlling for respective T1), no significant associations were found. Overall, the findings shed light on the dyadic associations of conditional negative regard, and the mechanisms through which it is negatively tied with dyadic adjustment during the transition to parenthood.

The relationship between self-esteem and husband support with body image perception in post-vaginal delivery primiparous mother in independent Delima midwife practice in Denpasar

Background: Childbirth is a big, happy event for a mother. In post-partum mothers, physical changes and psychological changes can occur. It is reported that 50% to 70% of post-partum mothers experience psychological disorders, such as a mother can feel uncomfortable with body image perception changes, which result in feelings of lack of husband support. Body image perception itself can cause an effect on self-esteem. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between self-esteem and husband's support with body image perception among primiparous mothers after vaginal delivery.Methods: An observational analytic study was conducted among 30 post-vaginal delivery primiparous mothers in independent Delima midwife practice in Denpasar. Data regarding respondents’ characteristics, self-esteem, husband’s support and body image perception were obtained using the Rosenberg self-esteem questionnaire, the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (R-DAS) questionnaire Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS). The relationship between self-esteem and husband's support with body image perception was analyzed using SPSS version 23 for Windows.Results: The average age of the respondents were 24.73 years old, and most of them were graduated from high school (50%), employed (53.3%) and have no conflict in their marriage (80%), have normal self-esteem (96.6%), didn’t get enough husband’s support (56.7%) and have positive perception regarding the evaluation of physical appearance (96.6%). We found a significant relationship between self-esteem and body image perception (p = 0.001), husband's support and body image perception (p = 0.001) and husband's support and self-esteem (p = 0.010) in post-vaginal delivery primiparous mother in independent Delima midwife practice in Denpasar.Conclusion: Self-esteem, husband's support and body image perception were essentials factors that contributed to post-partum woman mental health stability that should be understood by family and health workers to avoid psychological disorder in post-partum woman.

Validation of Family Functioning Questionnaire (FFQ) with a Sample of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Addis Ababa

Contextually validated measures of family functioning of parents with special needs are unavailable in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to validate the Amharic version of the Family Functioning Questionnaire (FFQ) with evidence from community samples of families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (n=72). Having translated the FFQ into Amharic, then the validation processes of assessing the psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the instrument were conducted using experts’ judgments, factor analysis, and internal consistency measures. The face and content validity assessments resulted in a measure that lends itself to the construct it intends to measure. The principal component factor analysis brought out two factors ( problem-solving and personal goal) with the majority of items demonstrated a factor loading above 0.5. The convergent validity of the FFQ was demonstrated via the Dyadic Adjustment Scale in which the observed significant intercorrelations suggested a strong construct validity of the Amharic FFQ. The internal consistency of the scale was also good, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82 for the whole scale and 0.91 and 0.82 for the problem-solving and personal goal sub-scales respectively. Hence, the Amharic version of the FFQ can be used for measuring the quality of family functioning in families of children with developmental disorders in the Ethiopian context.

Adoptees’ Romantic Relationships: Comparison with Nonadoptees, Psychological Predictors and Long-Term Implications of the Adoption Pathway

The aim of the study was to compare adoptees and nonadoptees regarding their romantic relationship experiences and model the factors that predict these experiences (psychological characteristics and characteristics of their adoption pathway). Attachment, resilience, mental health, dyadic adjustment and commitment were assessed in 220 adopted adults matched with 220 nonadoptees. The groups did not differ on the experience of romantic love. Psychological characteristics were predictive of romantic experience. By contrast, romantic experience was not predicted by most of our adoption pathway-related characteristics. Finally, the effect of attachment security on dyadic adjustment was moderated by the group (adoptees vs nonadoptees).

Pilot Validation Study on the Tavistock Relationships Observational Scale for the Assessment of the Quality of Dyadic Relationships in Couples in Which One Partner Has Dementia.

Many people with dementia are cared for by their spouses. Poor quality of the dyadic relationship is a known risk factor for carer burden and mistreatment of the person with dementia. This study aimed to design and cross validate the Tavistock Relationships Observational Scale (TROS) for assessment of the quality of the relationship in such couples. The study was conducted within the context of the therapeutic intervention with n = 11 couples. Couples' video-recorded interactions were assessed independently by three psychologists using the 13-item TROS. Cronbach alphas of the scale computed for the three raters were in the range 0.76-0.88 (on average 0.83), thus demonstrating high internal consistency of the scale. Fleiss Kappa coefficient for the three rates computed for 22 assessed videos ranged between 0.45 (moderate agreement) and 0.85 (almost perfect agreement) with 50% of coefficients being above 0.50, suggesting the good performance of the TROS in terms of yielding a satisfactory inter-rater agreement. The TROS also showed good external validity when using as validation criteria caregiving partner's burden (measured with the Zarid Burden Interview: the scales Social burden [Rho = -0.65, p = 0.021] and Role strain [Rho = -0.68, p = 0.014]), depression of the person with dementia (measured with the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia: Rho = -0.78, p = 0.020), and relationship satisfaction of the caregiving partner (measured with the dyadic adjustment scale: Rho = 0.52, p = 0.038). The TROS also showed a good capacity to detect the change in scores from time 1 to time 2; moreover, power analysis showed that the TROS can detect the change in scores even in very small samples (n = 5 couples). The TROS may be a useful tool for a standardized assessment of the quality of dyadic relationships in couples with dementia in research, nursing, or clinical settings to assist clinical psychologist, nurses, or social workers in a preliminary evaluation of the situation of couples with dementia, to choose a suitable care or intervention, to assess the effectiveness of interventions focusing on improvement of dyadic relationships, or to assess the risk of spousal abuse or neglect of a person with dementia.

Adaptation et validation de la version française de l’échelle d’évaluation de la relation

IntroductionRelationship satisfaction is one of the most studied constructs in the field of relationship evaluation because of its impact on various aspects of daily life. It is therefore important to have an instrument in French. ObjectivesThis study aims to adapt the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and validate its psychometric properties in French from its original version in English. MethodTwo studies were carried out. In the first study, 200 participants responded to the French version of the Relationship Assessment Scale (EER), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) to assess the factor structure and psychometric properties of the French version (reliability, convergent validity, incremental validity). In the second study confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the factor structure and to examine the gender invariance of the EER through a multi-factorial analysis in a population of 114 adults. ResultsThe results show that the psychometric properties of the EER are acceptable and comparable to the original version of the instrument. The EER presents a one dimensional factor structure. The positive correlations between the EER and the different scales tested support good external validity. The multi-group analysis showed that both women and men similarly understand the items and attribute the same meaning to the questions, confirming gender invariance of the EER. ConclusionThe French version of the EER is a valid and reliable assessment instrument of relationship satisfaction. The clinical and research implications of this scale are discussed.