Higher Partner Support Research Articles

The experience of miscarriage and its impact on prenatal attachment during the following pregnancy: A mixed-methods study

BackgroundIn France, miscarriage affects nearly 200,000 women every year. This life event may generate negative effects on the mother-child relationship and the mother's mental health in the following pregnancy. ObjectivesTo investigate the influence of body satisfaction, partner support, resilience and previous experience of a miscarriage on prenatal attachment in pregnant women. DesignThis is a cross-sectional mixed-methods study. Women answered an online questionnaire in the period between November 2022 to April 2023. Participants267 French pregnant women who had previously experienced a miscarriage were recruited for this study. MeasurementsStudy outcomes included prenatal attachment, resilience, partner support, history of previous pregnancies and miscarriages, the current pregnancy, and questions relating to body experience. FindingsParticipants who reported a high investment in the current pregnancy, high partner support and a positive image of their body had higher levels of prenatal attachment. The experience of miscarriage also seems to influence prenatal attachment: pregnancy investment at the time of miscarriage had a positive influence, while medical experience had no significant impact. While the global resilience score was not related to prenatal attachment, sense of control was positively linked to prenatal attachment. Key conclusions and implications for practiceThese results highlight the importance of considering miscarriage as a perinatal loss with potential for long-lasting impact on women, which deserves particular attention from professionals. Enhancing partner support and helping women build a positive image of their pregnant body can also have a role in fostering prenatal attachment to the foetus.

Supportive couple relationships buffer against the harms of HIV stigma on HIV treatment adherence

IntroductionHIV stigma can impact couple relationships through stress or bring partners closer through shared experiences. Conversely, couple relationships may protect against the harms of stigma, including anticipated stigma on negative health outcomes. Yet few studies have assessed the potential link between HIV stigma, relationship dynamics, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Using dyadic data from a cross-sectional study of Malawian couples living with HIV, we tested associations between anticipated stigma and: 1) relationship dynamics (e.g., trust, sexual satisfaction, communication) and partner support; and 2) self-reported ART adherence.MethodsHeterosexual couples (211 couples, 422 individuals) with at least one partner on ART were recruited from clinics in Zomba, Malawi. Partners completed separate surveys on anticipated stigma, relationship dynamics, and ART adherence. Linear mixed models evaluated associations between anticipated stigma and relationship dynamics, and whether associations varied by gender. Generalized estimating equation models tested for associations between anticipated stigma and high ART adherence (90–100% vs. < 90%) at the individual level, and whether they were moderated by relationship dynamics at the couple level.ResultsCouples' relationship length averaged 12.5 years, 66.8% were HIV sero-concordant, and 95.6% reported high ART adherence. In multivariable models, sexual satisfaction (β = -0.22, 95%CI = -0.41;-0.03, p = 0.020) and partner social support (β = -0.02, 95%CI = -0.04;-0.01, p < 0.01) were negatively associated with anticipated stigma. Significant interaction effects showed that adherence is moderated in couples with higher partner support and sexual satisfaction such that adherence is lowest when anticipated stigma is high and social support is low, and that adherence is lowest when anticipated stigma is high and sexual satisfaction is low.ConclusionsIncreased anticipated stigma is most associated with lower ART non-adherence at lower levels of social support and sexual satisfaction. Conversely, supportive and fulfilling relationships may buffer the negative association between stigma and ART adherence. Couples’ interventions that focus on improving communication and support systems within couples could reduce the negative impacts of anticipated stigma on couples living with HIV.

Infants' Biological Sensitivity to the Effects of Maternal Social Support: Evidence Among Mexican American Families.

The identification of infants who are most susceptible to both negative and positive social environments is critical for understanding early behavioral development. This study longitudinally assessed the interactive effects of infant vagal tone (respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) and maternal social support on behavioral problems and competence among 322 low-income Mexican American mother-infant dyads (infants: 54.1% female) and explored sex differences. Infant RSA was calculated from resting HR data at 6weeks of age. Mothers reported on general social support, partner support, and family support at 6months, and infant behavioral problems and competence at 1year. Two-way interactions (RSA×support source) were evaluated to predict behavioral problems and competence, adjusting for covariates. Results indicated higher competence among infants with lower RSA whose mothers reported higher general support or higher partner support. Interactive effects on behavior problems of RSA with maternal partner or family support were only found for female infants: Girls with higher RSA showed more behavior problems when mothers reported low support, but fewer problem levels in the context of high support. Our results suggest that infant RSA is an important moderator of the effects of the early social environment on early development.

Fear-avoidance and Pelvic Floor Muscle Function are Associated With Pain Intensity in Women With Vulvodynia.

To investigate the association between fear-avoidance variables, pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function, pain intensity in women with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), as well as the moderator effect of partner support. A sample of 173 women diagnosed with PVD participated in the study. Fear-avoidance variables were assessed with validated self-administered questionnaires: pain catastrophizing (Pain Catastrophizing Scale), pain-related fear (Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale), and partner support (Partner Support Questionnaire). Pain intensity was evaluated using a numerical rating scale. PFM function, including maximal strength, speed of contraction, flexibility, and muscle tone, was evaluated with a dynamometric speculum. Pain catastrophizing was significantly associated with pain intensity (β=0.310, P<0.001), partner support (β=0.194, P=0.004), and PFM flexibility (β=-0.255, P<0.001). Fear-avoidance, PFM variables, and partner support explained 28.3% of the variance in pain during intercourse (P<0.001). The addition of PFM was of particular interest as it explained a significant addition of 9% of the variance in pain intensity. Partner support was found to moderate the association between pain intensity and catastrophizing. Among women with high partner support, catastrophizing was not significantly related to pain (b=0.150, P=0.142). When partner support was low, catastrophizing was significantly related to pain (b=0.068, P<0.001). Findings of this study support that the symptomatology of PVD can be explained partly by fear-avoidance variables and PFM function. This study supports the significant role of PFM function and its importance in the pathophysiology of PVD. It also sheds light on the role of partner support and its moderating effect on pain catastrophizing.

The current state of community-based environmental monitoring in New Zealand

Volunteers engaged in community-based environmental monitoring (CBEM; a form of citizen science) can track changes in species abundance and distribution, measure ecosystem health, and provide data for local, regional and national environmental decision-making. A total of 296 environmental restoration-focused community groups throughout New Zealand responded to an online questionnaire, the objective of which was to investigate the current state of CBEM and contextual factors shaping groups’ monitoring activities. Over one-half of groups reported using photo points and 5-Minute Bird Counts (5MBC), with just over one-third (35%; n=218) able to quantify their restoration project objectives through management outcome monitoring (e.g. 5MBC + predator control). Ecosystem monitoring toolkits specifically designed for community users were not widely used (19%; n=157). Groups managing larger areas (e.g. >8 ha), with medium to high partner support and working on Department of Conservation (DOC) or private land were more likely to be conducting their own monitoring. The number of active members in the group and average age of active members did not significantly influence monitoring activity. ‘Random Forest’ modelling showed that total project area had the strongest independent influence on whether and how groups undertook environmental monitoring. Major challenges for establishing new monitoring programmes were reported as a lack of funding, people (both 45%; n=98), and technical skills (31%). Overall, our results show that significant gains in CBEM could be made by targeting support towards groups managing small areas. The significant positive effect of partner support and constraints imposed by resourcing and technical skills on monitoring activity show that government agencies and science professionals could play a critical role in growing CBEM. Prioritising these collaborative partnerships to design and implement monitoring programmes will maximise the value of monitoring, by meeting groups’and potentially partners’ information needs.

A longitudinal daily diary analysis of condom use during bleeding-associated vaginal sex among adolescent females

ObjectiveSex during bleeding is a risk factor for sexually transmitted infection (STI) and other bloodborne viruses, including HIV. We examined daily predictors of adolescent women's male condom use during bleeding-associated...

Maternal crying and postpartum distress: the moderating role of partner support

Objective: This study aimed to investigate maternal crying as a signal of distress and request for support in the postpartum period. Background: The development of postpartum mental illness may be prevented if spouses can recognise their partner’s distress and respond supportively. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of primiparous mothers (N =137) was conducted to determine whether partner support moderates the association between maternal crying frequency and postpartum depression, anxiety and stress symptom severity. Results: Regression analyses indicated that, as hypothesised, women who reported more frequent crying and low partner support reported higher levels of depression. Conversely, women who reported frequent crying in the context of high partner support reported lower levels of depression symptoms. The expected moderation effect was not present in the analyses examining postpartum anxiety and stress symptoms as outcome variables. Conclusion: In keeping with the well-established finding that partner support is a protective factor for postpartum mood problems, the results indicated that the presence of a supportive partner moderates the association between crying and depression.

The association between partner support and psychological distress among prostate cancer survivors in a nationwide study.

Up to 38% of prostate cancer survivors experience significant psychological distress; 6-16% are diagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders. Support from a relationship partner can ameliorate psychological distress, but many studies treat relationship status as a dichotomous predictor without accounting for level of support provided by the partner. The current study is a secondary analysis of a sample of 292 prostate cancer survivors recruited by nine Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) sites around the USA to a larger randomized controlled trial. Self-reported distress was measured at a baseline visit using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and partner support was measured using the Social Network and Support Assessment (SNSA). Post hoc groups consisting of unmarried survivors, married survivors with low partner support (SNSA scores below the median), and married survivors with high partner support (SNSA scores above the median) were compared on distress using univariate and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) analyses. Married prostate cancer survivors with high partner support reported significantly lower levels of psychological distress than the other two groups on the total distress scale (16.20-19.19 points lower, p < 0.001). After adjusting for multiple comparisons, this pattern was also seen for subscales of distress. This study highlights the importance of assessing both partner support and marital status when evaluating a survivor's psychosocial functioning and support network. Assessing support could improve understanding of the association between partner support and prostate cancer survivors' psychological distress and could lead to interventions to bolster support and reduce distress.

Familism

Familism is a cultural value that emphasizes interdependent family relationships that are warm, close, and supportive. We theorized that familism values can be beneficial for romantic relationships and tested whether (a) familism would be positively associated with romantic relationship quality and (b) this association would be mediated by less attachment avoidance. Evidence indicates that familism is particularly relevant for U.S. Latinos but is also relevant for non-Latinos. Thus, we expected to observe the hypothesized pattern in Latinos and explored whether the pattern extended to non-Latinos of European and East Asian cultural background. A sample of U.S. participants of Latino ( n = 140), European ( n = 176), and East Asian ( n = 199) cultural background currently in a romantic relationship completed measures of familism, attachment, and two indices of romantic relationship quality, namely, partner support and partner closeness. As predicted, higher familism was associated with higher partner support and partner closeness, and these associations were mediated by lower attachment avoidance in the Latino sample. This pattern was not observed in the European or East Asian background samples. The implications of familism for relationships and psychological processes relevant to relationships in Latinos and non-Latinos are discussed.

Situational and Relational Factors Associated With Coitus During Vaginal Bleeding Among Adolescent Women

Menstruation is a normal, developmental event anchored in contradictory value systems. Although it demarcates a transition to womanhood, it is often associated with negative sentiments such as shame, camouflage, and discomfort. Certain behavioral expectations, including avoiding sexual intercourse, also accompany menstruation. Research generally has suggested that sex does decrease during menstruation. However, not all sexual activity is suppressed during menses; both individual and relationship factors provide influence. Accordingly, this study investigated situational and relational factors associated with the day-to-day likelihood of sex and vaginal bleeding among 387 (aged 14–17 at enrollment) adolescent women. Generalized estimating equation logistic regression, in SUDAAN 9.0, was used. Predictors of coitus and bleeding included recent sexual activity; past coitus/bleeding; marijuana use before intercourse; and higher partner support, higher sexual interest, and lower feelings of being in love. The findings highlight appropriate areas of focus for information, education, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention counseling.

Effects of Partner Support on Resting Oxytocin, Cortisol, Norepinephrine, and Blood Pressure Before and After Warm Partner Contact

We examined whether the magnitude of plasma oxytocin (OT), norepinephrine (NE), cortisol, and blood pressure (BP) responses before and after a brief episode of warm contact (WC) with the spouse/partner may be related to the strength of perceived partner support. Subjects were 38 cohabiting couples (38 men, 38 women) aged 20 to 49 years. All underwent 10 minutes of resting baseline alone, 10 minutes of WC together with their partner, and 10 minutes of postcontact rest alone. Greater partner support (based on self-report) was related to higher plasma oxytocin in men and women across the protocol before and after WC. In women, higher partner support was correlated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) during solitary rest after WC but not before. Also, higher OT in women was linked to lower BP at baseline and to lower NE at all 4 measurements. Greater partner support is linked to higher OT for both men and women; however, the importance of OT and its potentially cardioprotective effects on sympathetic activity and BP may be greater for women.