Emotional Partner Research Articles

Physiological and psychological responses induced by expressing empathy with others

To assess the physical and mental burdens associated with expressing empathy with another person's stress. Nine female subjects listened to their partner's negative emotions aroused by a stress task (Stroop color-word test) under two conditions. In the first, the subject reacted empathetically to their partner ("with empathy"); in the second, the subject offered no response (control). Electroencephalograms and skin temperature of the second finger were recorded during the test. Subjective stress was estimated using a visual analog scale, whereas the level of cognition was expressed on a five-point ranking. Responses during and after expressions of empathy were examined by comparisons with control or by correlation. Sympathetic nerve tone increased under both conditions (i.e. the skin temperature of the second finger fell). Subjective stress was not recognized by the subject while listening "with empathy", although it did increase significantly after the subject has listened "with empathy". Subjective stress was not felt under the control conditions. Right temporal activity while listening showed a significantly positive correlation with the level of cognition of feeling the same emotion as the stressed partner, whereas bilateral frontal activity after listening was significantly negative correlated with the level of cognition of understanding the emotions of the stressed partner. Expressing empathy with another person's negative emotion led to increased physiological activity and subjective stress. Physiological responses to empathy depended on cognition of the different subjective factors. Cognition of sharing negative emotions activated the right temporal region of the brain, whereas cognition of understanding negative emotions inhibited bilateral frontal activities.

Exploring the associations between intimate partner violence and women’s mental health: Evidence from a population-based study in Paraguay

Using a nationally representative sample from the 2008 Paraguayan National Survey of Demography and Sexual and Reproductive Health, we examine the association between emotional, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health among women aged 15-44 years who have ever been married or in a consensual union. The results from multivariate logistic regression models demonstrate that controlling for women's socioeconomic and marital status and history of childhood abuse and their male partners' unemployment and alcohol consumption, IPV is independently associated with an increased risk for common mental disorders (CMD) and suicidal ideation measured by the Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). IPV variables substantially improve the explanatory power of the models, particularly for suicidal ideation. Emotional abuse, regardless of when it occurred, is associated with the greatest increased risk for CMD whereas recent physical abuse is associated with the greatest increased risk for suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that efforts to identify women with mental health problems, particularly suicidal ideation, should include screening for the types and history of IPV victimization.

Predictors of Unprotected Sex Among Female Sex Workers in Madagascar: Comparing Semen Biomarkers and Self-Reported Data

Research on the determinants of condom use and condom non-use generally has relied on self-reported data with questionable validity. We identified predictors of recent, unprotected sex among 331 female sex workers in Madagascar using two outcome measures: self-reports of unprotected sex within the past 48h and detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a biological marker of recent semen exposure. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that self-reported unprotected sex was associated with three factors: younger age, having a sipa (emotional partner) in the prior seven days, and no current use of hormonal contraception. The sole factor related to having PSA detected was prevalent chlamydial infection (adjusted odds ratio, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-10.1). Differences in predictors identified suggest that determinants of unprotected sex, based on self-reported behaviors, might not correlate well with risk of semen exposure. Caution must be taken when interpreting self-reported sexual behavior measures or when adjusting for them in analyses evaluating interventions for the prevention of HIV/STIs.

Evolution of Autism Support and Understanding Via the World Wide Web

Internet technology has radically changed society, widely affecting communication and the availability of information. The digital age holds unique significance for autism spectrum disorder. In this article I explore the interface between autism and the World Wide Web by reviewing evolving virtual communities pioneered by individuals with autism, exploring the online growth of advocacy organizations, and considering the positive and negative consequences that arise from autism’s fledgling voices.

Agreements, rules and agentic fidelity in polyamorous relationships

Drawing on data from 343 surveys and 12 interviews gathered as part of a large-scale research project on intimate relationships in the United States, this study examines agreements and rules within self-identified polyamorous relationships. Findings illustrate that polyamorists explicitly resist the master monogamous template through multiple sexual and emotional partners although commitment remains salient within such relationships. Results indicate that polyamorists do violate the rules of their relationships although ‘cheating’ is not a relevant construct for such behaviour. Although polyamory affords explicit rejection of sexual and emotional exclusivity, survey and interview data suggest that by underscoring their ability for multiple loves, there remains a continued emphasis on emotional rather than sexual intimacy. The article introduces ‘agentic fidelity’, which is a certain form of commitment among polyamorists that relies upon acute self-knowledge and choice exercised through the ability to express needs and boundaries.

A longitudinal investigation of the affective environment in families with young children: from infancy to early school age.

We examined the affective environment in 102 families studied longitudinally when children were 7, 15, 25, 38, 52, and 67 months of age. At each assessment, every mother-child and father-child dyad was observed in typical daily contexts. Each person's emotions of affection, joy, and anger were coded. Both parents rated marital satisfaction when children were 15, 52, and 67 months. Growth curve analyses, using Actor-Partner Interdependence Modeling, examined (a) developmental changes in emotions, (b) within-relationship influences of the partner's emotions, (c) across-relationship influences of emotions in other parent's interactions with the child, and (d) associations between marital quality and emotions over time. Parents' emotional expressiveness was highest early in the child's development, and declined thereafter. Children's anger was highest at 15 months of age, and declined thereafter, and their positive emotions, particularly with mothers, increased over time. Generally, one's positive emotions and better marital quality were associated with greater positive emotion within- and across-relationships, whereas one's anger was associated with greater anger within- and across-relationships. However, any emotion expression elicited greater affection in the interaction partner. Parents' neuroticism did not account for the convergence of emotions across relationships.

Prevalence of Domestic Violence in a Pregnant Military Population

To estimate the prevalence of domestic violence and the characteristics of pregnant women reporting domestic violence in a military setting. This was a prospective observational study of patients presenting for prenatal care to a Naval hospital from January 2007 to March 2008. Participants were screened anonymously for domestic violence using the Abuse Assessment Screen. Data were summarized using medians, interquartile ranges, and frequency distributions. Univariable comparisons between groups were conducted using Mann-Whitney tests for continuous data and chi2 tests for categorical outcomes Of the 1,162 surveys, 14.5% screened positive for abuse (either current or past), and 1.5% of respondents reported current pregnancy abuse. Relative to married women, single women (odds ratio [OR] 1.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-3.16, P=.036) and separated or divorced women (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.59-7.46, P=.002) were at an overall increased risk of physical or emotional partner abuse. Compared with married women, the single women (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.35-5.78, P=.005), but not the separated or divorced women (P=.172), were at increased risk for partner abuse in the previous 12 months. A family history of abuse also was associated with an increased risk of abuse within the previous 12 months (OR 5.99, 95% CI 2.99-11.99, P<.001). The prevalence of domestic violence in our pregnant military population was 14.5%, which is in the upper range of the prevalence reported in a nonmilitary population (0.9-23%). Unmarried status and a history of abuse may indicate a higher abuse risk. III.

Technology and connections Mexican immigrants in the U.S.

The expansion of information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in the developing world has considerably increased opportunities for people to connect. Today, people can better maintain long-distance relationships as well as be better informed of how their family, close friends, and emotional partners are doing. As a result, many migrants use ICTs to maintain and strengthen ties to their places of origin. For many years, the most popular means of communication for migrants was the telephone since it allows communication at relatively low rates even for international calls. Now new types of ICTs for family communication such as Internet services (e.g., instant messaging) are becoming more common. Given the economic, social, and political implications of migrants being connected to their places of origin, this socio-technical phenomenon deserves attention from academia, industry, and governments. Four different forms of ICTs are studied here: 1) hometown Web sites, 2) video conferencing, 3) call forwarding services, and 4) online TV. We analyze contributions of these services to enhance migrants' communication as well as the factors for adoption.

Power in mixed-sex stranger interactions

The authors tested the approach/inhibition theory of power by examining teasing interactions between women and men in conditions in which either one was given elevated power or they were in an equal-power control condition. Consistent with hypotheses, high-power individuals behaved in a disinhibited fashion and were less accurate judges of their partner's emotion, whereas low-power individuals behaved in a more inhibited, indirect fashion and reported more self-conscious/anxiety-related emotion. Additional contrast analyses revealed only modest support for the claim that men would act in powerful fashion in the absence of explicit power differences, and that power-based differences were greatest when the man had power over the woman. Discussion focuses on different perspectives on the interaction between power and gender.

Sexual Well-Being, Happiness, and Satisfaction, in Women: The Case for a New Conceptual Paradigm

Based on results of large-scale survey studies, there is evidence of an association between sexual activity and satisfaction, on the one hand, and aspects of emotional well-being, partner satisfaction, and overall quality of life on the other. Although the nature of the casual relationship is unclear, women with more active and satisfying sexual relationships report consistently higher ratings of emotional and relationship satisfaction. This heightened sense of well-being potentially contributes to improved subjective health and other positive outcomes. In this commentary article, we review recent findings and propose a new conceptual model for addressing these effects in controlled studies.

Violence against women and the risk of under‐five mortality: analysis of community‐based data from rural Bangladesh

To assess whether violence against women was associated with increased mortality risks for their daughters and sons before the age of 5. Secondary analysis of longitudinal data from rural Bangladesh of 2691 live-born children in relation to their mother's experience of physical, sexual and emotional partner violence and level of controlling behaviour in marriage. Analyses were adjusted for potential confounders and stratified by gender. Under five-mortality was 88 per 1000 in this cohort. Overall, there was no association between different forms of violence against women and under-five mortality. However, more educated women had an increased risk of under-five deaths of their female offspring if ever exposed to severe physical violence (adjusted hazard ratio 2.2, 95% CI 1.06-4.50) or to a high level of controlling behaviour in marriage (adjusted hazard ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.30-4.90). Controlling behaviour in marriage increased the hazard ratios in a dose-response manner. Increased mortality risks were neither shown for offspring of women with low or no education nor for boys in any educational group. Severe physical violence and controlling behaviour in marriage were associated with higher under-five mortality among daughters of educated mothers in rural Bangladesh, indicating gender-biased consequences of partner violence for child mortality.

Maternal adjustment five months after birth: the impact of the subjective experience of childbirth and emotional support from the partner

: Recent research suggests that negative childbirth experiences may cause maternal maladjustment. The impact of intranatal emotional distress, intranatal physical discomfort and postnatal emotional evaluation of birth on symptoms of posttraumatic stress and depression is investigated with regard to the moderating role of emotional support from the partner. Subjective childbirth experience measured with the German version of the Salmons Item List, obstetric characteristics and postnatal emotional support from the partner were assessed in 374 women six weeks after childbirth. Trauma symptoms and postnatal depression were measured five months after childbirth. Postnatal emotional partner support acts as a moderator of the effect of the subjective childbirth experience on the development of symptoms of avoidance, intrusive thoughts and depression. The direct influence of emotional partner support is stronger regarding symptoms of depression and hyperarousal than regarding avoidance and intrusive thoughts. No direct association between intranatal physical discomfort/labour pain and later maternal adjustment could be found. Women with a negative childbirth experience and poor emotional support from their partner are at increased risk for psychological maladjustment in the first five months after birth.

52. THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN'S HEALTH SURVEY: ASSESSING THE PSYCHOSOCIAL BURDEN OF HPV RELATED ILLNESS AND PREVENTIVE INTERVENTIONS

There is increasing recognition of the psychosocial impact of cervical cytology screening programs as well as of the treatment of screening-detected human papillomavirus (HPV) - related disease. The HPV Impact Profile (HIP) includes 29 items with standard response categories representing nine psychosocial impact domains: 'worries and concerns, emotional impact, sexual impact, self image, health perception, cognition, partner and social relations, interaction with doctors and sleep'. Higher scores (0-100) are associated with higher disease burden. The HIP and other generic quality of life instruments such as the Sheehan Disability Scale were administered to women who had experienced and were aware of an HPV related diagnosis in the past 3 months (total n�=�333): 103 women with normal Pap test results (N. Pap), 111 with abnormal Pap tests (58 low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and 53 high grade SIL (HSIL)), 80 women with biopsy confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) (36 CIN1 and 44 CIN 2/3) and 39 women with external genital warts (EGW). In univariate analysis, estimated HIP scores (95% CI) were lower for N.Pap than for all other groups (p�&lt;�0.0001), N. Pap: 25.8 (22.6-29.0); LSIL: 38.8 (34.6-43.1); HSIL: 41.7 (37.2-46.2); CIN1: 41.7 (36.3-47.1); CIN 2/3: 46.6 (41.6-51.5) (p�=�0.013 vs LSIL); EGW: 44.6 (39.4-49.8). The effect was maintained after adjusting for age, race and occupation. On the Sheehan scale, CIN 2/3 and EGW demonstrated increased interference with work and social activities. Results demonstrate: a) HPV infection and disease are associated with significantly increased psychosocial burden, beyond that of the Pap test experience; b) The HIP instrument can adequately distinguish between different HPV conditions; c) Despite their non life threatening nature, the psychosocial impact of genital warts is similar to that of potentially life threatening high grade cervical lesions.

Linking hearts and minds in couple interactions: Intentions, attributions, and overriding sentiments.

This study examined the role of emotion and relationship satisfaction in shaping attributions about a partner's intentions in couple interactions. Using video recall, participants (N = 156 couples) reported on their own and their partner's intentions and emotions during affective moments of a discussion about an upsetting event. Links were found between relationship satisfaction and factor-analytically derived intention and attribution scales. Attributions about a partner's intentions were weakly to moderately correlated with the partner's self-reported intentions. Relationship satisfaction accounted for part of the discrepancy between self-reported intentions and partner attributions. Emotions mediated the links between relationship satisfaction and attributions, suggesting that clinicians working with distressed couples should pay more attention to the emotional climate in which attributions are made.

Face-to-Face Arguing Is an Emotional Experience: Triangulating Methodologies and Early Findings

Emotional experience is important to people's understandings of interpersonal arguments. However, very little research illuminates the moment-to-moment emotionality of arguing. This project used emotional data from dyadic arguers. Arguer, partner, and coder ratings of anger, happiness, sadness, tenderness, and attitude toward the other were gathered at 30-second intervals, using a cued-recall procedure. These three ratings do not converge often or well, and appeared to be responsive to different information. Several trait instruments—measuring personalization of conflict, emotional expressivity, and emotional reappraisal/suppression—were substantially associated with the average levels of self-reported feelings. Emotions were very consistent throughout the arguments, both within and between arguers. Own feelings also were highly responsive to the whole range of the partner's emotions.

Differences in aspects of personality and sexuality between perimenopausal women making different choices regarding prophylactic oophorectomy at elective hysterectomy

Retrospective studies have indicated differences in sexuality and general psychological well-being between women who have undergone hysterectomy only and those undergoing hysterectomy and oophorectomy. These differences may be the result of dissimilarities in the groups of women who choose the respective operation. To compare the preoperative characteristics of women who choose to undergo prophylactic oophorectomy with the corresponding characteristics of those who choose to retain their ovaries when undergoing hysterectomy on benign indication. Perimenopausal women (aged 45-55), scheduled for hysterectomy on benign indication, were evaluated within 2 months before surgery. A total of 217 women chose hysterectomy only and 106 women chose hysterectomy with concomitant prophylactic oophorectomy. Socioeconomic and health data, personality (Karolinska Scale of Personality), sexuality (McCoy's Female Sexuality Questionnaire), well-being (Psychological General Well-Being index), the prevalence of climacteric symptoms (modified Kupperman's index) and the women's attitude to hormone replacement therapy were investigated. Women who later underwent prophylactic oophorectomy in addition to hysterectomy had higher anxiety-related scores, lower sexual variable scores and poorer emotional partner relationships. This group was also characterized by more episodes of irregular bleeding, a greater prevalence of climacteric symptoms and a more extensive use of hormonal replacement therapy, in comparison with women who later underwent hysterectomy only. Personality, sexuality and the nature and severity of preoperative symptoms in women who chose prophylactic oophorectomy differ markedly from the same variables in those who chose to keep their ovaries at elective hysterectomy. These differences must be taken into consideration when evaluating studies comparing these aspects of quality of life after hysterectomy or hysterectomy with concomitant oophorectomy. Furthermore, psychosexual aspects such as sexuality and well-being can not be reliably studied with a retrospective design in these patient groups.

Sociodemographic Associations of Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Intimate Partner Violence in Spanish Women

To measure the lifetime prevalence of physical, emotional, and sexual Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in women attending general practice in Spain and to assess sociodemographic factors associated with the different types of abuse. The sample included 1402 randomly selected women, aged 18 to 65 years, attending general practice in three Spanish regions. A self-administered structured questionnaire specifically developed for the study was used. Given the overlap between the different types of lifetime abuse, various categories were created by combining the different types. Multiple logistic regression models were developed to identify the sociodemographic factors independently associated with the different categories of abuse. Lifetime prevalence of IPV was 32%, and 14.4% referred having experienced emotional abuse alone. Factors independently associated with all categories of abuse included being separated/divorced/widowed, having three or more children, and lacking social support. Increasing age was protective for physical and emotional abuse (odds ratio = 0.96; 95% confidence interval = 0.93-0.99). Women with the lowest monthly family income (< 600 euro) (1 euro = 1.32 euro) were most likely to experience all IPV categories, except for emotional abuse alone. IPV is a common problem in general practice. The identification of factors associated with this public health problem is essential for its prevention and treatment.

LOVE STYLES AND ROMANTIC LOVE EXPERIENCES IN JAPAN

This research investigated the relationship between the six love styles based on Lee's theory (1973) and several romantic experiences, such as emotional experiences, self-perceptions, and partner's impressions. The subjects were 343 undergraduate students. The main results were as follows: Eros was positively related to positive feelings and positive self-perceptions. Mania and Agape showed similar patterns of emotional experiences, but Agape was distinguished from Mania in that agapic individuals thought of themselves as kind in romantic relationships. Pragma and Ludus were positively related to negative feelings in romantic relationships, and, in addition, Ludus was negatively correlated with partner's attractiveness. These results mostly provided support for Lee's theory and the conceptual validity of the six love styles.

Psychosocial factors related to the correspondence of recipient and provider perceptions of social support among patients diagnosed with or at risk for malignant melanoma.

This study examined considered perceptions of social support and factors contributing to increased support among 18 patients diagnosed with or at risk for malignant melanoma and their partners. Partner support, perceived stress, emotional approach coping and partner empathy were evaluated. Results showed lack of correspondence between patient and partner reports of support. Greater correspondence between reports was associated with increased patient emotional approach coping. Partners reported increased empathy following the patients' diagnoses and more perceived stress than patients. Patients indicated greater use of emotional approach coping than their partners. Male partners reported engaging in less emotional expression than female partners. Interventions might incorporate partner participation to resolve misperceptions of support and to foster factors that promote increased support.

Physical and emotional partner abuse reported by men and women in a rural community.

Intimate partner violence exacts an enormous toll each year in the United States, affecting 3% to 5% of adult intimate relationships.1–3 Compared with urban settings, much less is known about the prevalence and correlates of partner violence in rural areas.4–6 Rural women are more isolated, have access to fewer services, and face different attitudes and norms than urban women.5–7 This study examined the prevalence of severe physical abuse, measured by the Conflict Tactics Scale,8 and controlling emotional abuse, measured by Yllo’s Controlling Behavior Questions,9 as reported by a cohort of cohabiting couples in a rural Iowa county. The objectives were to estimate the prevalence of abuse victimization reported by men and women on each scale and to identify factors associated with violence against men and women.