Actor Effects Research Articles

A Dyadic Analysis of Sexual Assertiveness and Sexual Outcomes in Adolescent Romantic Relationships

ABSTRACTAmid adolescence, youth are developing the relational skills necessary to form and maintain positive intimate relationships. Sexual assertiveness is a key skill that could be related to couples’ sexual outcomes (i.e. sexual satisfaction, sexual concerns, and sexual function). However, dyadic studies are lacking, and associations between sexual assertiveness and adolescents’ sexual health and well-being remain underexplored. This cross-sectional dyadic study examined associations between dimensions of sexual assertiveness and sexual outcomes in adolescent romantic relationships. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model guided analyses of self-reported questionnaires from 110 romantic dyads (aged 14–19 years; M = 16.51). Participants’ gender was considered in the models, and gender differences emerged in the associations between study variables. Path analyses revealed that sexual needs and desires communication, refusal of unwanted sex, sexual intimacy initiation, and comfort talking about sex have significant actor and partner effects on adolescents’ sexual outcomes in mixed-gender dyads. These findings suggest that authentically expressing one’s own sexual needs, desires, and limits in adolescence may influence not only one’s own sexual satisfaction, sexual concerns, and sexual function, but also their partner’s. The aforementioned dimensions of sexual assertiveness could be important targets for research-based interventions to promote sexual health and well-being in adolescent romantic relationships.

Attachment, relational maintenance behaviors and relationship quality in romantic long-distance relationships: A dyadic perspective

This study tested an actor-partner interdependence mediation model (APIMeM) in which dyadic relational maintenance behaviors (RMBs) mediate the relationship between romantic attachment (i.e., anxious and avoidant) and multiple indicators of relationship quality among couples in long-distance relationships (LDRs). Data were collected from 137 couples (women’s mean age = 20.37 years; men’s mean age = 21.93) who were in a serious romantic LDR and who completed an attachment measure, a measure of dyadic RMBs, and four measures of relationship quality (i.e., relationship satisfaction, relational commitment, closeness with the partner, and connection with others). Path analyses revealed significant actor and partner effects. Moreover, a total mediation between women’s anxious attachment and both partners’ relationship quality, and a partial mediation between men’s and women’s avoidant attachment and their own relationship quality were uncovered. Overall, the results suggest that, for couples in LDRs, one partner’s behaviors, cognitions, or emotions influence each member of the dyad as well as the quality of the relationship.

A dyadic examination of patients' and caregivers' attachment orientations and mutually supportive care in cancer caregiving.

Families play a pivotal role in supporting one another during cancer. Research suggests that supportive care interactions between patients and their caregivers can have a positive effect on the physical health and well-being of both members of the dyad. However, few studies have investigated how patient and caregiver personality characteristics intersect with their perceptions of supportive exchanges. Adopting an attachment theory perspective, our aim was to examine the dyadic effects of patient and caregiver attachment orientations on mutually supportive care. Patients (n=103) receiving cancer care and their caregivers (n=99) completed a survey that comprised measures of attachment orientations (Experiences in Close Relationships Modified scale), and mutually supportive care (Shared Care Inventory, SCI-3): communication, decision-making and reciprocity. Actor-Partner Interdependence Models (APIMs) were used to examine the association between participants' attachment orientations on their own (actor effects) SCI-3 outcomes and those of the other person within the dyad (partner effects). Across the APIMs, the tendency was for an inverse relationship between attachment (anxious and avoidant orientations) and mutually supportive care. Inspection of the effects and dyadic patterns supported actor and couple models. Using a dyadic approach, it was possible to study both intrapersonal and interpersonal effects. Our findings point to interdependence within the cancer caregiving relationship and underscore the importance of considering how individual and relational ways of responding influence support. Attachment theory provides a framework for explaining the observed relationships and a basis for therapeutic intervention.

Is the association of sexual quality with relationship satisfaction really stronger when the sexual relationship is functioning poorly?

The purpose of this article is to bring empirical evidence to the oft-quoted assumption that sexual quality has a stronger association with the overall relationship when sexuality is dysfunctional as compared to when it is optimal. Using three national samples to analyze a structural equation model, the results verified this assumption with some adaptations. There was an interaction between the association of sexual quality and the overall relationship depending on how sexually satisfied couples were in the sexuality area. However, it was when sexuality was only moderately satisfying rather than at high or low levels that it had the strongest associations with relationship satisfaction. Also, female sexual quality had a significant association with both partner's relationship satisfaction whereas male's sexual quality only had actor effects. Additionally, the sexual relationship had a stronger association with relationship satisfaction and dissatisfaction for couples who reported both low levels of sexual satisfaction and dissatisfaction.

The role of dependency-oriented parenting in the intergenerational transmission of dependency: An actor-partner interdependence model.

Utilizing an actor-partner interdependence model, this study examined whether dependency was transmitted from parents to their preschool-aged offspring and, if so, whether dependency-oriented parenting (DOP) mediated such transmission. The mothers and fathers of 488 preschool-aged Chinese children (Mage = 42.36 months, SD = 3.62 months) participated first at 1 month before entry into preschool (Time 1) and then 4 months later (Time 2). Positive relations were found between one parent's dependency and the child's physical dependency on that parent (i.e., actor effect), and one parent's dependency was negatively associated with the child's emotional dependency on the other parent (i.e., partner effect). Additionally, one parent's DOP positively predicted the child's emotional and physical dependency on that parent (i.e., actor effect). Moreover, one parent's DOP partially mediated the relation between the parent's dependency and the child's physical dependency on the parent (i.e., actor effect). Finally, both actor and partner effects were similar for mothers and fathers and for boys and girls. The findings highlight the importance of including both parents and examining actor and partner effects for a comprehensive understanding of the intergenerational transmission of dependency. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Dyadic patterns of mental health and quality of life change in partners and patients during three months of cardiac rehabilitation.

The effects of mental health on quality of life (QoL) over the course of a couple's recovery from a patient's cardiac event are unknown as partner outcomes are rarely considered within cardiac rehabilitation. To capture the transactional nature of recovery from a cardiac event, this research investigated the link between longitudinal changes in the mental health of couples in which at least one of the partners had cardiac disease and changes in their QoL during cardiac rehabilitation. Participants (N = 184 dyads) completed questionnaires measuring anxiety, depression, and QoL at baseline (enrollment) and 3 months (discharge). Dyadic data were analyzed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model with integrated latent change scores. The results indicated that improved anxiety was associated with significant positive changes in physical and emotional QoL for both the patient and partner (actor effects). A reduction in depression in both partners from baseline to follow-up predicted an increase in emotional QoL for patients and partners, and an increase in physical QoL for partners (actor effects). Patients whose depression decreased from enrollment to the completion of cardiac rehabilitation were associated with partners' greater positive changes in emotional QoL than were patients whose depression did not decrease, and reductions in partners' anxiety over time predicted positive changes in patients' physical QoL (partner effects). Findings underscore the need to screen for and attend to patients' and partners' mental health outcomes postcardiac event, as positive changes in mental health symptoms may optimize changes in patients' and partners' emotional and physical QoL. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

재미 한인 노인 부부들의 인지자원과 인지기능

Cognitive function is an important component of successful aging, facilitating independent living and affecting quality of life in later life, but less is known whether individuals' cognitive resources and cognitive function are interrelated within couples. Using a sample of 252 older Korean immigrant couples (individual N = 504), we examined the extent to which one's cognitive function was associated with one's own cognitive resources (education, acculturation, friend networks, and participation in activities) and those of one's spouse. Analyses based on the actor-partner interdependence model showed differences in actor and partner effects between spouses. Among husbands, acculturation was the only significant actor-level predictor of cognitive function. Among wives, cognitive function was associated with a wider array of their own cognitive resources, including education, friend networks, and participation in activities. No partner effects were observed for wives' cognitive function, but for husbands, partner effects showed wives' higher education was beneficial for husbands' cognitive function. It is speculated that women's education may promote the cognitive function of their spouses via cognitively stimulating conversations and activities of daily life. These findings highlight the importance of considering the gendered cognitive resources in older immigrant couples’ cognitive health.

Relationship functioning moderates the link between history of childhood maltreatment and depression during pregnancy.

Prenatal depression is a significant health issue associated with increased risk for poor mental and physical health outcomes among for both parents and their children. Having a history of childhood maltreatment is associated with increased risk for prenatal depression. Although research suggests that romantic relationship functioning likely plays a role in the links between childhood maltreatment and prenatal depression, it remains to be tested which aspects of relationship functioning modulate these associations. Using an actor-partner interdependence model framework (Kenny et al., 2006), the present study examined how specific aspects of romantic relationship functioning-relationship commitment, perceived partner support, constructive communication, and destructive conflict-moderated the links between mothers' and fathers' childhood maltreatment and depression during pregnancy. Participants included a subset of 1,135 low-income heterosexual couples (2,270 individuals) who enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of a relationship education program during pregnancy. Baseline, pretreatment data were used. Results indicated significant actor and partner effects of childhood maltreatment on prenatal depression. Further, these effects were moderated by specific indices of relationship functioning, such that the effect of one's own maltreatment on their prenatal depression was mitigated by high emotional support from partner and high constructive communication and was exacerbated by destructive conflict. Findings demonstrate that high relationship functioning can act as a protective factor, and low relationship functioning as a risk factor, in the link between one's own childhood maltreatment and their prenatal depression among both mothers and fathers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Parental harsh discipline in intergenerational transmission of anxiety in China: A longitudinal actor-partner interdependence analysis.

The present study investigated the intergenerational transmission of anxiety from both mothers and fathers to children in Chinese migrant families and the mediating roles of both parents' harsh discipline (psychological aggression and corporal punishment). Four hundred seventy nine intact families with at least one migrant child were followed prospectively, with data collected from multiple informants at three time points half a year apart. A longitudinal multiple mediation model in combination with an actor-partner interdependent model (APIM) was used to examine the mediating roles of both parents' harsh discipline in the intergenerational transmission of anxiety. Results indicated that anxiety was transmitted across generations from mothers (but not fathers) to migrant children. Significant actor effects of mothers' and fathers' anxiety on their own harsh discipline were found, while no significant partner effects were observed. Mothers' psychological aggression played an important role in the intergenerational transmission of anxiety from mothers to migrant children. The findings suggest that interventions and prevention efforts focusing on reduction of children's anxiety would benefit from decreasing mothers' anxiety and psychological aggression. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Adoptive family contexts of adolescent and adult adjustment: Dyadic and systemic approaches.

Research has identified family dynamics within adoptive families as essential to understanding adopted individuals' adjustment. However, there has been a lack of attention to the intricacies of adoptive family context, especially dyadically and as a group. This study examines data from 177 adoptive families from the Minnesota/Texas Adoption Research Project, a longitudinal study of families who participated in domestic U.S. infant adoptions. Study participants are from the second and third collection waves, during adolescence and emerging adulthood. Participants completed interviews and questionnaires at home (Wave 2) or online (Wave 3). The present study examines family context in relation to parent-child incompatibility (match between parent expectations and child's behavior from the Parenting Stress Inventory) and how family context during adolescence (Family Assessment Device, Family Inventory of Life Events, Brief Symptom Inventory) is associated with concurrent and later adjustment (Youth and Adult Self Reports). Family context variables were hypothesized to predict parents' and their spouses' ratings of incompatibility using actor-partner interdependence models. Varied actor and partner effects of family dysfunction, parent distress, and family stressors on ratings of parent-child incompatibility were found. Using regressions, family context variables were hypothesized to have positive associations with adolescent and adult adjustment. Variables accounted for significant variance in adopted individuals' outcomes when considering symptom type (internalizing, externalizing) and age (adolescence, emerging adulthood), though many variables did not have a significant main effect. Results allow for better understanding of differential associations of family context with adjustment for adopted individuals and families. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Post-traumatic stress and health-related quality of life after admission to paediatric intensive care: Longitudinal associations in mother–child dyads

ObjectiveElevated post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are commonly experienced in both children and their parent's following admission to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Previous research has demonstrated a conflict in the directionality between PTSS and HRQoL in children and their parents. Our study sought to explore the interconnection and transmission between PTSS and HRQoL in children and their mothers following an admission to the PICU. DesignProspective longitudinal design. SettingTwo tertiary care PICUs in Brisbane, Australia. PatientsTwo hundred eighty-two mother–child dyads of children aged 2–16 years admitted to the PICU for >8 h. InterventionsNone. Measurement and main resultsFour waves of dyadic data (n = 282 mother–child dyads) over a 12-month period from the PICU post-traumatic stress study were used. Cross-lagged panel modelling was used to examine the link between maternal-rated PTSS and HRQoL across children and their mothers. Actor–partner interdependence modelling was then used to examine the interconnections between mothers and children over time. In the dyadic model, partner effects were only present from mother to their child (i.e., higher maternal PTSS was predictive of higher child PTSS at subsequent time points). Higher maternal PTSS predicted lower maternal mental HRQoL but not lower child psychosocial HRQoL. Actor effects were also present with lower child psychosocial HRQoL, predicting higher child PTSS at subsequent time points. Findings indicated that a unidirectional transmission process from mother to child may be present after a child's life-threatening illness. ConclusionsThis study provides evidence for a long-term negative influence of maternal PTSS on child PTSS in families who have experienced a paediatric critical illness or injury. This highlights the important role of maternal wellbeing in children's mental health outcomes following PICU admission. Further research needs to explore the temporal and dyadic relationships of PTSS and HRQoL.

Is it harmful to me or to us? A dyadic analysis of Chinese young adults' dysfunctional individuation and romantic relationship satisfaction.

This study aimed at examining how romantically involved Chinese young adults' dysfunctional individuation was associated with their and their partners' perceptions of romantic relationship satisfaction. We recruited 296 Chinese couples who were currently in heterosexual romantic relationships at the university. The couples completed self-report measures of their dysfunctional individuation and relationship satisfaction. Results from the cross-sectional actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) indicated that (a) for both genders, actor effects existed: Chinese young adults' dysfunctional individuation was negatively associated with their romantic relationship satisfaction; (b) in terms of partners' effects, women's dysfunctional individuation was negatively associated with men's perceptions of relationship satisfaction; but (c) men's dysfunctional individuation was not significantly associated with women's perceptions of relationship satisfaction. The findings were the first to reveal the actor and partner effects of dysfunctional individuation on romantic relationship satisfaction. The study results provided practical implications regarding how young adults can have satisfying romantic relationships.

The Actor-Partner Effects of Marital Satisfaction on Life Satisfaction in Middle-Aged and Older Couples: Focusing on the Mediating Effects of Health Behavior and Health

This study aimed to examine the actor and partner effects of marital satisfaction on life satisfaction in middle-aged and older couples via their health behavior and health. The study participants included a total of 2,108 couples, aged 57 and over, from the eighth wave of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA). The marital satisfaction, health behavior, health, and life satisfaction of the husbands and wives were measured to conduct the analysis. This analysis was conducted based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) with the bootstrapping technique being used as the mediating effect. The results indicated that there were significant actor and partner direct and indirect effects when it comes to the relationship between the participants’ marital satisfaction and their own life satisfaction, mediated by health behavior and health. However, no significant influences regarding the health of the participants on the life satisfaction of their spouses were found. These results suggest that it is important for middle-aged and older couples to improve their marital relationships in order to promote the health and life satisfaction of both parties. Doing so will help husbands and wives lead healthier lifestyles based on their positive relationships.

Relationship between health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety in older primary care patients and their family members

Objectives Patient-family member dyads experience transitions through illness as an interdependent team. This study measures the association of depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older adult primary care patient-family member dyads. Methods Baseline data from 1,808 patient-family member dyads enrolled in a trial testing early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in primary care. Actor-Partner Independence Model was used to analyze dyadic relationships between patients’ and family members’ depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and HRQOL (SF-36 Physical Component Summary score and Mental Component Summary score). Results Family member mean (SD) age is 64.2 (13) years; 32.2% male; 84.6% White; and 64.8% being the patient’s spouse/partner. Patient mean (SD) age is 73.7 (5.7) years; 47% male; and 85.1% White. For HRQOL, there were significant actor effects for patient and family member depression alone and depression and anxiety together on their own HRQOL (p < 0.001). There were significant partner effects where family member depression combined with anxiety was associated with the patient’s physical component summary score of the SF-36 (p = 0.010), and where the family member’s anxiety alone was associated with the patient’s mental component summary score of the SF-36 (p = 0.031). Conclusion Results from this study reveal that many dyads experience covarying health status (e.g. depression, anxiety) even prior to entering a caregiving situation.

Association between behavioral patterns and depression symptoms: dyadic interaction between couples.

Behavioral patterns are sometimes associated with depression symptoms; however, few studies have considered the intra-couple effects. This study examined the effect of a spouses' behavioral patterns on depression symptoms within themself and in their spouse. A total of 61,118 childbearing age participants (30,559 husband-wife dyads) were surveyed. The depression symptoms were assessed using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The behavioral patterns were identified by the latent class analysis. The effects of behavioral patterns on the couple's own depression symptoms (actor effect) and their partner's depression symptoms (partner effect) were analyzed using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Three behavioral patterns were identified: low-risk group, moderate-risk group, and high-risk group. The high risk of these behavior patterns would be associated with a higher score on the PHQ-9; for both husbands and wives, their behavioral patterns were positively associated with PHQ-9 scores (βhusband = 0.53, P < 0.01; βwife = 0.58, P < 0.01). Wives' behavioral patterns were also positively associated with their husbands' PHQ-9 scores (β = 0.14, P < 0.01), but husbands' behavioral patterns were not associated with their wives' PHQ-9 scores. Wives' depression symptoms were affected only by their own behavioral patterns, whereas husbands' depression symptoms were influenced by both their own and their spouses' behavioral patterns.

Personality is related to satisfaction in friendship dyads, but similarity is not: Understanding the links between the big five and friendship satisfaction using actor-partner interdependence models

Friendship is a central part of human life. However, little is known about how personality traits are related to satisfaction with friendships. Using an Actor-Partner-Interdependence framework, we analyzed actor, partner, partner perception, and similarity effects on friendship satisfaction in 190 friendship dyads. Agreeableness, extraversion, and emotional stability were positively related to an actor’s friendship satisfaction (actor effect). The actor’s agreeableness was positively linked to the friend’s friendship satisfaction (partner effect). People who described their friends as open, extraverted, or conscientious experienced higher satisfaction (partner perception effect). Yet, indices of trait-wise and profile similarity were not related to friendship satisfaction. The findings highlight that personality is relevant for understanding happiness in close relationships for both actors and their friends.

QOL-27. EXPLORING DYADIC CHANGES IN ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS FOR PRIMARY BRAIN TUMOR PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Abstract A primary brain tumor (PBT) diagnosis impacts not only the diagnosed person but their family caregivers. Prior research has established that the psychosocial outcomes (i.e., fear of cancer recurrence, quality of life) of individuals with a PBT and their caregivers are interrelated. Actor-partner interdependence modeling (APIM) can account for this interdependence and be used to assess for dyadic changes over time or different variables. The purpose of the present study was to assess longitudinal dyadic changes in anxiety and depressive symptoms for PBT patients and their caregivers. 38 PBT patient/caregiver dyads completed assessments of anxiety and depressive symptoms during routine oncology clinic visits. All dyads completed at least two assessments, at least 8-weeks apart utilizing the PROMIS anxiety and depression short forms. APIM analyses via mixed linear modeling revealed significant actor effects for both depression and anxiety symptoms (i.e., how the same person’s scores are related from baseline to follow-up) but non-significant partner effects (i.e., how one person’s score at the first timepoint is related to the other person’s score at the second timepoint). Specifically, a one-point increase in T-score at the first timepoint was associated with the same person having a 0.58 increase in their PROMIS depression T-score and 0.50 increase in their PROMIS anxiety T-score, respectively, at the second timepoint (p &amp;lt; .001). There were no significant partner effects detected for depression (p = .168) or anxiety (p = .998). Despite the lack of significant relationship between patient and caregiver outcomes in these results (possibly influenced by small sample size), it is notable that, overall, there was an increase in psychological distress over time for both depression and anxiety symptoms for both patients and caregivers. Thus, future research should continue to focus on how to reduce distress and ensure that both patients and caregivers are supported throughout the disease trajectory.

You Are My Friend, But We Are from Different Worlds: Actor-Type Effects on Audience Engagement in Narrative Video Advertisements

Narrative video ads often use either celebrities or unknown actors to engage consumers and convey their messages. Although research suggests that celebrities (versus unknown actors) may enhance the effects of narrative videos on brand attitudes, this hypothesis has yet to be empirically tested, and the mechanisms behind such potential effects remain unclear. We compared the effects of celebrities and unknown actors in narrative video ads on brand attitudes and examined potential pathways through which actor type might increase or decrease persuasion. In Studies 1(a) through 1(c) and 3 we used a narrative video in two distinct versions: the original with a celebrity and an alternative where we used face-swapping technology to replace the celebrity with an unknown actor. In Study 2 we analyzed responses to unmodified ads. In Studies 1(a) through 1(c) and 2 we found no evidence that the celebrity actor increased transportation into the story or identification with the actor, but we consistently observed that celebrities increased perceptions of a parasocial relationship with the actor. However, this effect was not enhanced for a narrative video ad compared to a nonnarrative one in Study 3. Furthermore, celebrity actors were associated with reduced retrospective reflection in the path models.

The characteristics of elderly citizen of perceiving communication effects of issues of formation of healthy life-style

The article discusses results of communication effects of various information actors on elderly citizen stimulating healthy life-style. The purpose of the study was to establish characteristics of perception by elderly Russians communication effects targeting formation and maintenance of healthy life-style, to determine degree of significance of communication channels by which such measures can provide high degree of individual motivation. The contradiction was established. From one hand, life span increases due to achievements of science, medicine and technologies promoting decreasing diseases' mortality and improving health indicators.From the other hand, the need in larger volume of caring services at lesser number of professional personnel providing social care and medical personnel comes up. It is established that age principle is one of the basic ones in segmentation of health state. According it, population of elderly age consists of several main groups having different social characteristics concerning conditions of life, medical indications, consumer behavior and information perception. The elderly pre-retired, elderly relatives, early retired, socially active retired. It is concluded that communication impact on elderly citizens concerning formation of healthy lifestyle and promotion of health saving practices are to be implemented considering specifics of particular communication channels (both interpersonal and mass ones). It is recommended in planning and implementing socially-oriented marketing and educational campaign not only to segment target audiences of senior citizens, but to evaluate degree of significance of communication channels for each of them.

Couples’ Cognition, Intimacy, and Activity Engagement: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study examines the actor and partner effects of cognition on activity engagement and the potential mediating role of intimate relationship in older couple dyadic context. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from heterosexual couples who participated in the 2020 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. Constructing a dyadic model of couples’ cognitions, activity engagement, and intimacy using structural equation modeling to analyze the relationship between variables and mediating effects. Results: At the actor level, cognition was positively correlated with their activity participation. At the partner level, wives’ cognition and husbands’ activity engagement were positively correlated. Husband’s cognitive score affect wife’s subjective feelings about intimacy. The mediation effect of Wife’s intimacy on the relationship between husband’s cognition and wife’s activity engagement was significant. Conclusions: In older couples, cognition influences activity engagement at a binary level, and this association is influenced by the level of intimacy. Improving intimacy can help increase activity engagement in older couples, which in turn promotes health. Clinical Implications Maintaining cognition helps older people enjoy good marriage and participation in activities. For women, the closer the partnership, the higher the frequency of participating in various activities.