Intimate Relationships Research Articles

Coercive Control in 2SLGBTQQIA+ Relationships: A Scoping Review.

Existing measures and theories of intimate partner coercive control largely evaluate men's coercion of women. The extent of knowledge pertaining to intimate relationships among other genders and sexual identities is unclear. Guided by a theoretical framework of intersectionality, we examined and synthesized original studies on coercive control by (perpetration) or against (victimization) Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual individuals within intimate partner relationships. We searched eight academic databases for records from 2014 through 2022 and hand-searched review articles' reference lists, supplemented with gray literature and website searches. Using duplicate screening, we identified 1,774 unique documents; 526 met preliminary eligibility criteria and 277 were retained for data extraction in duplicate. Coercive control was more common among minority individuals and was related to mental health challenges. Few studies reported on gender- or sexual-identity specific forms of coercive control, and an intersectional focus was uncommon. This review revealed a lack of agreed definition of coercive control or accepted standard of measurement, and a gap in research with individuals who identify as gender diverse, gender fluid or intersex, or those identifying their sexuality as asexual, pansexual, or sexually diverse.

Gendered Violence in Intimate Relationships in the Context of Law, Culture and Religion in Nigeria

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious human rights violation whose resilience against comprehensive laws calls for a reappraisal of the interplay of the key factors that influence its persistence. What is the link between the resilience of GBV and socio-economic forces such as religion, culture and tradition? This paper is inspired by the death of a popular Nigerian gospel singer, Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu, on 8 April 2022. Although the real cause of her death was not confirmed through an official autopsy, there was widespread speculation that her death arose from intimate partner violence (IPV). It sparked a heated debate among Nigerians, especially the Christian community, on the issue of GBV, especially the role of religious authorities in combatting IPV. Her death also raised concerns about the institution of marriage, bridewealth, women's marginalisation, and the role of the law. Using a literature review and drawing from the best legislative and institutional practices from Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda, this paper highlights challenges in the legal framework and its implementation, as well as harmful norms and religious beliefs that prompt and perpetuate IPV in Nigeria.

Sex, Love, and Study Abroad: The Impact of Intimate Relationships in Study Abroad Outcomes

This article makes a case for analysis of romantic relationships during international education programs. Study abroad programs promise cultural immersion and place students in settings where romantic relationships may be the most accessible way to achieve this immersion. Yet programs may fail to prepare students to navigate dating and romance during study abroad. We draw on participant observation and interviews with former study abroad participants, program staff, and host community members in Dakar, Senegal to examine how cross-cultural romances emerge in the study abroad setting. We argue that study abroad programs would benefit from explicit and sustained attention to gender relations, love, and intimacy in pre-departure orientations, upon arrival in host settings, and throughout the duration of the programs. We also contend that romantic relationships during study abroad merit sustained ethnographic inquiry to better understand how and why these relationships take place, how they afford opportunities for student learning, and how they shape perceptions of study abroad learners by the host community. Abstract in French Cet article encourage l’analyse critique des relations amoureuses qui surviennent pendant les programmes d’études à l’étranger. Ces programmes promettent une immersion culturelle et placent des étudiants dans des conditions dans lesquelles les rapports amoureux sont parfois la méthode la plus facile d’accéder à cette immersion. Pourtant, ces programmes risquent de ne pas réussir à préparer les étudiants à naviguer ces rapports de couples pendant leurs études à l’étranger. Ici nous nous appuyons sur l’observation participante et les entretiens avec d’anciens participants aux programmes, le personnel ancien et actuel des programmes, et les membres de la communauté d’accueil à Dakar, au Sénégal, pour examiner comment les liaisons amoureuses interculturelles émergent dans le cadre des études à l’étranger. Nous soutenons que les programmes d'études à l'étranger bénéficieraient d'une attention explicite et soutenue aux relations de genre, à l'amour et à l'intimité dans les orientations préalables au départ, à l'arrivée dans le contexte d'accueil et tout au long de la durée des programmes. Nous soutenons également que les relations amoureuses au cours des études à l’étranger méritent une enquête ethnographique soutenue pour mieux comprendre comment et pourquoi ces relations ont lieu, comment elles offrent des opportunités d’apprentissage aux étudiants et comment elles façonnent les perceptions des étudiants par la communauté d’accueil.

Sexual Double Standards and Violence in Intimate Partner Relationships: The Role of Empathy in the Consumption of Online Sexual Content.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fit of an explanatory theoretical model of the relationship between sexual double standards (SDS) and violence in intimate partner relationships when empathy and online access to sexual material are taken into account. Cluster sampling was used to select 490 university students for participation in the study. The mean age of the participants was 21.89 years (SD = 3.52) and 70% were female. A battery of questionnaires was administered comprising the SDS scale, the sexuality on the internet and social networks questionnaire (CSRI-1), interpersonal reactivity index, and the intimate partner violence (IPV) questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered in a group-classroom setting. The results show that empathy acts as a protective and mediating variable because it reduces the impact of online sexual material on violent behavior. In addition, it was seen that the consumption of online sexual material has a direct impact on IPV and SDS. These findings point to the importance of taking empathy and the consumption of online sexual material into account in the development of prevention and intervention programs for tackling violence in young couples.

Interventions to mitigate reproductive concerns in individuals with cancer: A systematic review.

Individuals of reproductive age with cancer may experience reproductive concerns (RCs) due to impaired fertility and disrupted family planning, which can negatively impact their quality of life and psychological well-being. There is limited research on interventions that mitigate the negative effects of RCs among individuals with cancer. This systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions developed to mitigate RCs among individuals with cancer. This systematic review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A systematic search of nineEnglish and Chinese electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Wan Fang Data, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and SinoMed, was conducted for relevant studies from inception to November 2023. Intervention studies designed to mitigate RCs among individuals with cancer were included. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality appraisal where JBI Critical appraisal tools were used. Narrative syntheses were conducted to summarize the characteristics and effectiveness of interventions due to high heterogeneity across studies. Nine studies were included. Interventions were categorized into psychoeducational interventions (n = 6), couple-based interventions facilitating open communication and intimate relationships (n = 2), and mindfulness-based interventions (n = 1). A statistically significant reduction in RCs was observed in five psychoeducational interventions, two couple-based interventions, and one mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention. The effect sizes (Cohen's d) of the interventions on RCs varied substantially from 0.08 to 5.66. Psychoeducation, couple-based, and mindfulness-based interventions demonstrated promising findings in mitigating RCs among individuals with cancer. However, more randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and rigorous designs are warranted to strengthen the current evidence.

Contesting individualization and individualism in marriage in East Asia: Dual-income couples' monetary practices.

This study uncovers Taiwanese dual-earner couples' monetary practices and explores how the marriage institution is conceived of in the context of East Asian familism and the sweeping trend of individualism. Ample cross-national research has investigated household finances and money management among couples over time, yielding mostly Western-oriented insights. It is nevertheless matched with little evidence from East Asian societies that share similar trends of individualization. Drawing from interviews with 22 couples and 3 married individuals (N=47) in Taiwan, who are at least university-educated, middle-class, and on average in their mid-30s, this paper analyzes couples' monetary practices from a relationship constellation perspective that factors in resources from intergenerational transfer, as well as individual spouses' interpretation of their practices. Individualized management was found to be exceedingly prevalent among Taiwanese couples, unlike couples elsewhere that predominantly adopt pooling. Institutionalized individualization, on the one hand, posed higher hurdles for joint management and pooling. On the other, most interviewees showed an individualistic orientation in their practices, which can be seen as a strategy to anticipate and manage risks-marriage dissolution among others-in a highly uncertain world. Embedding monetary practices in the 'individualization without individualism' debate, this study unveils how the traditional marriage institution is implicitly challenged by not only increasing institutionalized individualization but also an ideational shift towards individualism, often assumed to not have taken root in East Asia. The empirical evidence from Taiwan sheds new light on both resource management in marriage and on how intimate relationships are constrained by institutional and socio-cultural contexts.

An automatized semantic analysis of two large-scale listening tests: A corpus-based study

This study examined the semantic features of the simulated mini-lectures in the listening sections of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) based on automatized semantic analysis to explore the content validity of the two tests. Two study corpora were utilized, the IELTS corpus with 56 mini-lectures (38,944 words) and the TOEFL corpus with 285 mini-lectures (207,296 words). The reference corpus comprised 59 lectures from the Michigan Corpus of Academic Spoken English (MICASE), totaling 571,354 words. The corpora were submitted to automatized semantic tagging using Wmatrix5. Three comparisons were conducted: IELTS versus TOEFL, IELTS versus MICASE lectures, and TOEFL versus MICASE lectures. The results suggest that IELTS and TOEFL mini-lectures shared 78% and 64% of the same semantic features as MICASE, respectively, supporting their relative content validity. Nevertheless, specific semantic categories, such as politics, war, and intimate and sexual relationships, were notably absent from the test corpora, even though they appeared in the academic lecture corpus. In addition, causal connectors are frequently used in both tests, while the mini-lectures of IELTS listening tests cover fewer academic discourse fields than TOEFL mini-lectures. Implications for content validity are discussed.

Generation Z: Navigating Conflict Resolution Strategies at the Workplace Through Their Intimacy Styles

Drawing on the interpersonal model of intimacy and the dual concern model, this study utilizes structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse the relationships between workplace intimacy and conflict management styles, with a particular focus on Generation Z. The research examines how different levels of intimacy influence employees’ approaches to conflict resolution, including compromising, negotiating and avoidance strategies. A survey of 203 individuals with less than three years of workplace experience examines the hypothesis that conflict management styles (CMSs) are shaped by the ability to establish intimate relationships, incorporating self-disclosure, responsiveness and feelings of validation. Findings indicate that individuals with high levels of intimacy are more likely to adopt compromise and negotiation styles in conflict management, suggesting that employees who cultivate close, trusting relationships are more likely to engage in collaborative problem-solving. Conversely, the study found no significant correlation between intimacy and avoidance-based CMS, such as withdrawal and resignation. This suggests that while intimacy fosters constructive conflict resolution, it does not necessarily influence an individual’s tendency to avoid conflicts. The results highlight the importance of fostering workplace intimacy to enhance effective conflict resolution and suggest areas for further research, particularly in understanding the unique conflict management behaviours of Generation Z. The article concludes by discussing the theoretical implications of these findings, their practical applications in organizational settings, and recommendations for future research on workplace intimacy and conflict management.

AI Love: An Analysis of Virtual Intimacy in Human-Computer Interaction

Abstract: In the digital age, intimate relationships are gradually becoming scarce, while rapid technological advances are deepening humanity's reliance on virtual relationships. This paper examines the emerging phenomenon of virtual intimacy in human-AI interactions by analyzing recent studies on intimate relationships, virtual intimacy, and human-machine interaction-based virtual intimacy. First, as artificial intelligence technology advances, particularly with the development of affective computing and generative AI, emotional interactions between humans and AI have become more frequent, with virtual companions increasingly being used as tools for emotional support. These relationships can alleviate loneliness and fulfill individual emotional needs to a certain extent. However, AIs emotional responses are generated through algorithms and data processing, lacking genuine emotional resonance, which leads to the risk of emotional dependency and the loss of authenticity in emotional connections. Moreover, privacy and data security issues have become significant challenges in the development of human-AI intimate relationships. Virtual intimacy, as a complex and multi-dimensional research field, still requires further exploration from various perspectives and with diverse subjects.

Mid-career pitfall of consecutive success in science

The creativity of scientists often manifests as localized hot streaks of significant success. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these influential phases can enhance the effectiveness of support systems and funding allocation, fostering groundbreaking discoveries worthy of accolades. Historically, analyses have suggested that hot streaks occur randomly over time. However, our research, through meticulous examination, reveals that these phases are not flatly distributed but are more frequent at the early and late stages of scientists’ careers. Notably, both early and late hot streaks are marked by dense tie collaborations, with the former typically involving close partnerships with particular authors and the latter being characterized by involvement in large-scale projects compared with single-top or ordinary papers. This pattern indicates that mid-career researchers lack both intimate relations and resources to keep big projects, leading to “mid-career pitfall” of consecutive success. This insight holds profound implications for the development of policies and initiatives aimed at bolstering innovative research and discovery.

Exploring the Association Between Sexual Agency and Intimate Relationship Violence Experienced and Perpetrated by Brazilian and Portuguese Women

Abstract Introduction Women’s vulnerability to violence in intimate relationships has been negatively associated with the development of sexual agency and is not considered just an individual responsibility in the face of a series of social and economic inequalities to which women are exposed. This study aims to verify the association between sexual agency and violence experienced and perpetrated in intimate relationships, as well as the predictive role of sexual agency on violence, and compare populations with economic, social, and educational differences. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was carried out in 2023 with 322 female university students—161 Brazilian and 161 Portuguese, aged between 18 and 29—using measures to verify sexual agency and different types of violence experienced and perpetrated by women in intimate relationships. The data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U-test, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results Data showed Brazilian women having higher scores in all the variables of experienced and perpetrated violence. Sexual practices and refusal were negatively associated with violence experienced by Brazilian women. Refusal and pregnancy/STI prevention were negatively associated with violence experienced by Portuguese women. Conclusions The differences between groups can be attributed to the intersecting systems of oppression—such as gender, race, and social class—that amplify vulnerabilities and limit investments in protective policies for women, as well as in educational initiatives focused on violence prevention. Policy Implications Results suggest the development of violence prevention programs, comprehensive sexual education programs, and policies that focus on promoting women’s sexual agency.

Local and translocal social capital in flood adaptation: evidence from Indonesian coastal communities

ABSTRACT Environmental change and sea level rise challenge urban coastal communities, especially in the Global South. Existing hazard research emphasises the vital role of social capital in adaptation but often overlooks translocal social capital, which encompasses social support and resources that extend beyond local boundaries and connect people at different places. To reduce this research gap, this study investigates the impact of local and translocal social capital on flood-prone households in Padang and Denpasar, Indonesia, using survey data (N = 620) and social network data (N = 1169). The results show translocal contacts provide more emotional, moral, financial, and material support, while local contacts share flood-related knowledge, skills, advice, and practical support. Further, our findings show that the effectiveness of social support varies: local support is strengthened by community ties and diverse forms of support, whereas translocal support's significant role in mental health relies on intimacy and reliability in strong personal relationships. Well-connected support contacts help households to access broader social networks. These findings highlight the different roles of local and translocal social capital in long-term adaptation, which partly complement each other. Households benefit from maintaining diverse support networks, with each type of social capital playing distinct yet interdependent roles in enhancing resilience against environmental changes.

Participatory Action Research and Knowledge Dissemination in Virtual Photovoice: Methodological Insights.

Despite the methodological spread of virtual photovoice, alignments to and potential advances for the participatory action research (PAR) and knowledge dissemination (KD) components of in-person photovoice are poorly understood. Detailing the PAR and KD processes, practices, and products drawn from a virtual photovoice study examining men's experiences of and perspectives about equitable intimate partner relationships, the current article offers three thematic findings. The first theme Processes and pragmatics for selecting representative photographs describes adapting established analytics of preview, review, and cross-photo comparisons to categorize and select images from a large collection of participant-produced photographs (n = 714). Specifically, detailed are the reconciling of researchers deciding which images and accompanying narratives to include guided by PAR principles. Theme 2, Democratizing and disrupting in-person PAR with virtual focus group polls (VFGPs), chronicles participant voting through Zoom to collectively decide and subsequently discuss their favorite photographs. While anonymity for the poll was democratizing in terms of participant equality for voting on the photographs, connecting men virtually from diverse locales could differentiate cultural norms. The third theme KD pledges and pitfalls with online photovoice exhibitions details the potential benefits and challenges for reaching diverse end-users. Evident was the importance of marketing and media for driving traffic to the online exhibition, and the centrality of interactivity for fostering engagement to build and adjust photovoice e-health interventions. With virtual photovoice continuing to grow in popularity post COVID-19, this article offers important methodological lessons for adapting and advancing components of in-person PAR and KD.

Sentinelese contacts: anthropologically revisiting the most reclusive masters of the terra incognita North Sentinel Island

The label “Sentinelese” was etymologically derived from the island’s name by the researchers, administrators, and persons who had briefly contacted them, and not the tribes themselves. The conundrum is that their language, customary laws, traditional knowledge systems, and other social practices are still unknown. They are the most well-built and reclusive band of people with no affinity to neighboring tribes of the same archipelago. From prior contacts, it is evident that they still rely on Stone Age tools like bows, metal arrows, and adzes making them hunter-gatherers of modern times. The populace solely relies on nature for their mundane sustenance and survival. Such intimate relationships and interaction between ecology and social life have shaped a different cultural backdrop among the “Sentinelese” populace. Intriguingly, within such socio-cultural proximities, Jarawas, Onges, and Great Andamanese had developed dissimilar sub-cultures of their own. Time again, researchers and administrators tried to establish contact; herein, some individuals, including the second author, had made amicable contact in goodwill expeditions, but mostly, several other individuals who made contact were faced with unfriendly attitudes. In due course, in post-tsunami expeditions and later various other surveys, a ‘hands-off eyes on’ approach predominated the scene. Following such a suit, the present paper seeks to delve into the complex fabric of the tenable knowledge systems of the “Sentinelese” populace and revisit the various narratives of colonial and post-colonial visits, including that of the second author’s account of the North Sentinel Island.

Psychosexual well-being following spinal cord injury: Perspectives of adults with spinal cord injury and rehabilitation clinicians.

This study aimed to identify important mental health topics for people with spinal cord injuries (PwSCI) and garner insights from health care clinicians working with this population. In doing so, we identified psychosocial adaptations in the context of sexuality, intimacy, and reproductive health. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used, with 60-90-min virtual focus groups involving PwSCI, rehabilitation clinicians, and psychologists. Themes were identified through deductive and inductive transcript analysis. Eligibility for PwSCI included: (a) SCI for ≥ 1 year, (b) 18+ years, (c) U.S. residency, (d) conversational English skills, and (e) cognitive capacity to provide informed consent. Clinicians required ≥ 5 years of rehabilitation experience. Sixteen PwSCI, eight rehabilitation clinicians, and four psychologists participated. Three major themes emerged: (1) The effects of SCI on relationships with noninjured significant others with subthemes of (a) internalized and partnered ableism in intimate relationships and (b) navigating care partner dynamics and resource gaps; (2) sexual self-esteem with subthemes of (a) gender role adaptation and (b) body image concerns; and (3) challenges in sexual and reproductive health with subthemes of (a) family planning and self-advocacy in health care settings, (b) access to specialized care, and (c) health care provider competence. This report illuminates the complex effects of SCI on their relationships with noninjured partners, revealing how internalized and partnered ableism can heighten feelings of inadequacy and alter relationship dynamics. These findings underscore the need for more research, support, and services in sexual and reproductive health for all PwSCI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Genetic variations as predictors of dispositional and dyadic empathy—a couple study

Biological drivers of empathy have been explored in an interdisciplinary manner for decades. Research that merges the psychological and genetic perspectives of empathy has recently gained interest, and more complex designs and analyses are needed. Empathy is a multidimensional construct that might be regarded both dispositionally (as a personality trait) and contextually (experienced and/or expressed in a particular relationship/situation). This study analyzed genetic variations associated with genes encoding oxytocin, arginine vasopressin, and receptors that regulate their secretion as predictors of the empathic dimensions of emotional (empathic concern and personal distress) and cognitive (perspective taking) dyadic factors of partners in heterosexual intimate relationships. Machine learning methods to capture both linear and nonlinear relationships between SNPs, RS1 and RS2 repeat polymorphisms and dimensions of empathy in couples were employed. A total of 442 individuals (221 couples) participated in this study. Empathy was measured by the Polish version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for Couples. The MassARRAY® 4 instrument, which combines mass spectrometry with endpoint PCR, was used for genotyping all 14 genetic variations. Microsatellite fragment analysis was performed by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results confirmed the significance of certain genetic alterations linked to oxytocin, vasopressin, serotonin and estrogen for dispositional and dyadic empathy (mainly rs1884051, rs6311, RS1, rs4686302, and rs1042778) in couples. The effects were stronger for the prediction of emotional and dyadic empathy than for perspective taking. Separate analyses for women and men indicated different predictive effects of genes for empathy (for example, effects of rs53576 were indicated only in women), which are also experienced and expressed in couples. Different dimensions of empathy should be included when the genetic predictors of empathy are examined.

The Influence of Media on Adolescent Mental Health: A Case Study of Fandom Couple Pairing Culture

Abstract: Adolescence is a critical period for the development of an individual's mental health and an important stage for personal growth and knowledge accumulation. During this period, adolescents often show a keen interest in various things, information, or knowledge. In an era of information explosion, the media, as one of the main channels for information dissemination, has an important impact on the mental health of adolescents. As one of the current niche cultures with a relatively wide range of communication, CP culture helps social and emotional communication, but also raises concerns about mistrust in real-life intimate relationships. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness of CP culture and promote healthy communication strategies among adolescents. This paper explores the psychological impact of the widespread popularity of CP culture among adolescents. Through a literature review and case study, this paper examines the positive and negative effects of CP culture on adolescents' social and emotional development. This paper uses the widespread CP (Coupling/Character Pairing) culture as an example to discuss its impact on adolescents' mental health. This paper examines the research findings through case studies and comparative analysis, revealing that while the television media and other media promote the social, emotional and cognitive development of adolescents, they also bring potential risks, such as the negative effects of promoting violence, pornography and abuse. Therefore, effective intervention and management strategies must be developed to strengthen cooperation between families and schools, or strengthen media regulation to mitigate potential harm.

“What truth are you telling me about?”

This article discusses two Belarusian music videos from 2020, “Shchuchynshchyna” and “Ne Smeshno” (“Not Funny”), both of which were framed by their creators as commentary on the 2020 protests. In “Ne Smeshno,” band Molchat Doma seemingly attempts to wake a city stricken by an epidemic of sleep—and fails, with one exception. The parody video “Shchuchynshchyna” debuted in a satirical web series, where Elena ZheludOk’s performance of state-approved pop entrances a rebellious rock guitarist. I discuss these videos through Almira Ousmanova’s work on defamiliarization in Belarusian art and politics and through Lauren Berlant’s thought on the allegory. I argue that both videos engage with the idea that art’s political potential is in its power to undermine the state’s hegemonic version of reality. However, in both videos, this break in perception is a secondary effect of music, a consequence of the new gendered, intimate relations that music directly sets in motion.

Lethal and non-lethal violent offences in intimate and non-intimate relationships in Norway between 2016 and 2020

Lethal and non-lethal violent offences in intimate and non-intimate relationships in Norway between 2016 and 2020

Ken's best friend: masculinities in Barbie

Greta Gerwig's Barbie (2023) has predominantly been labelled either as anti-man propaganda or as a paragon for women's empowerment. I suggest that such positions miss a crucial point: Barbie is not anti-man; it is pro-man and is not necessarily a revolutionary film for women, at least not as much as it is for men. This is because Barbie espouses non-hegemonic masculinity through cultural critiques that are rare to see in popular media, especially with the immense commercial success that the film has had . I postulate that Barbie can be utilised as a blueprint for men through its representation of queered masculinity and intimate heterosexual male homosocial relationships. The film portrays heterosexual deviance that can be used as an alternative thinking of how masculinity can be performed sans patriarchy and hegemony. This subversive representation is paramount, and the ramifications of such an analysis can hopefully result in future media representations of non-hegemonic masculinity and can also lend to the effort in normalising the existence of men's emotions and mental health struggles, and in underlining discussions of what it means to be man enough; or better yet, what it means to be Kenough.