Partner Communication Research Articles

Aided language modelling, responsive communication and eye-gaze technology as communication intervention for adults with Rett syndrome: three experimental single case studies

Purpose To examine the effect of a communication intervention package on expressive communication and visual attention in individuals with Rett syndrome. Materials and methods A modified withdrawal (A-B1-A1-B2-A2) single case experimental design with a direct inter-subject replication across three participants was applied. Three women with Rett syndrome participated. The study took place over a six-week period and comprised 32 sessions with each participant. All sessions were video recorded. During the intervention the communication partner used aided language modelling on a gaze-controlled device in combination with using responsive partner strategies. Expressive communication was assessed as synthesised words per minute and unique synthesised words per minute. Visual attention was assessed as rate of focused gazes (1 s or longer) in interaction. Results An intervention effect was found on the rate of unique words for all participants. The rate of words increased for two participants when the intervention was introduced but no withdrawal effect could be seen. An intervention effect on visual attention could be seen for one participant. The intervention appeared to have social validity as reported by caregivers. Conclusion Aided language modelling (ALM), while using responsive partner strategies and a gaze-controlled device may be used with adult individuals with Rett syndrome to increase their rate of expressive communication. Detailed observational measures revealed individual learning patterns, which may provide clinically valuable insights. Implications for Rehabilitation Adults with Rett syndrome may benefit from access to gaze-controlled devices in combination with responsive partner strategies. Responsive partner communication may be effective for some individuals with Rett syndrome to increase their rate of synthesised utterances. Rate of focused gazes may be considered as an outcome measure for individuals with oculomotor difficulties when introducing aided language modelling.

“Shades of risk”: Understanding current PrEP users’ sexually transmitted infection perceptions

ABSTRACT Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a safe and effective HIV prevention strategy. Given the possibility of increased sexual risk-taking and acquisition of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) following PrEP initiation, it is important to explore STI risk perceptions both before and after PrEP initiation to understand the extent to which these perceptions inform decisions to engage in condomless sex. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with men who have sex with men currently using PrEP (n = 30). Prior to analysis, PrEP users were categorized into four subgroups based on condom use behavior post-PrEP initiation: (1) condom continuers (2) condomless sex continuers, (3) condomless sex increasers, and (4) condomless sex decreasers. Thematic analysis revealed two major themes that elucidated differences in (1) the appraisal of HIV risk relative to other STIs and (2) the importance of partner communication in determining STI risk perceptions by subgroup. Most PrEP users demonstrated no behavioral change after PrEP initiation. Those engaging in condomless sex prior to PrEP initiation also continued that behavior while taking PrEP. Results of this study support a tailored approach to PrEP counseling based on individual STI risk appraisal and motivations to initiate and continue PrEP.

A feasibility study of the impact of a communication-skills course, 'Empowered Conversations', for care partners of people living with dementia.

ObjectivesTo examine the feasibility, acceptability and impact of an experiential course for family care partners of people living with dementia, Empowered Conversations (EC). This study aimed to assess the impact of participation in an EC course on care partner stress levels, communication and mentalization (a form of relational-based empathy).MethodThis study uses an uncontrolled pre–post-follow-up design. Follow-up was at 4-months after the initial EC session where baseline data were collected. One hundred and fifty-nine care partners were recruited. EC is a training course that has been designed to improve care partner communication, well-being and relationships. It is based on an integrative framework that targets the specific psychological, relationship and communication needs of carers. This framework informs targeted strategies and interactive exercises that facilitate carers to consider the goals and emotions of those they are caring for, alongside their own goals and emotions, and to use this to maximize good communication.ResultsStress was significantly reduced across the three time points. Communication significantly improved across time. There were no significant changes in reflective functioning (mentalization).DiscussionThis study provides preliminary evidence that a communication-skills training course for care partners of people living with dementia is an acceptable and feasible intervention and has an impact both post-intervention and at follow-up. These findings require validation in a rigorous, randomized study.

The mediating role of partner communication on contraceptive use among adolescent girls and young women participating in a small-group intervention in Malawi: A longitudinal analysis

ABSTRACT Though effective reproductive health interventions have been developed for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa, few have explored whether specific components of the interventions are responsible for observed changes in behaviour. Data for this longitudinal mediation analysis come from a quasi-experimental, sexual and reproductive health study conducted among AGYW (age 15–24) in Malawi. We assessed the extent to which the relationship between attending communication-specific small-group sessions and contraceptive use at one-year was mediated by contraceptive communication with partners at six months, using a bootstrapping procedure to estimate indirect effects. Of 358 participants, 44% attended communication-specific small-group sessions, 37% communicated with partners about contraception at six months, and 21% used non-barrier contraception at one-year. Participants who attended communication-specific small-group sessions had increased contraceptive communication with partners at six months (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.07–2.38) and increased non-barrier contraceptive use at one-year (aOR = 3.53, 95% CI: 1.86–6.69). The relationship between attending communication-specific small-group sessions and non-barrier contraceptive use at one-year was partially mediated by contraceptive communication with partners at six months (indirect effect = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01–0.07). Our results suggest that contraceptive communication with partners is modifiable through interventions and important for AGYW non-barrier contraceptive uptake.

Toward A Typology of Identity Gaps in "Non-Normative" Sexual Partner Communication.

The present study presents a typology of identity gaps (Hecht, 1993), or cognitive, affective, and behavioral discrepancies between and among different parts of the self, that emerge in sexual partner communication. A total of 504 individuals in relationships they identified as or others ascribed as less common or less accepted than other kinds of relationships, including LGBQ, transgender and non-binary, BDSM, polyamorous, and interracial relationships, described instances in which parts of the self were in tension amid their intimate partner communication. These identity gaps occurred in tension with personal identity, or sense of self, or communal identity as a member of particular sexual and gender minority groups. Implications and areas for future research are discussed.

Becoming Fathers: Initial Exploration of a Support Program for New Fathers.

Emerging fathers experience a variety of stressors, including identity and role transitions, changes in their relationships, and challenges in developing caregiving skills. Increasing expectations for father involvement in childcare are emphasizing the importance of the father role, but social supports for new fathers remain scarce. Nineteen expectant and new fathers participated in a pilot 5-week group intervention aimed at improving stress coping and involvement attitudes using a combination of mindfulness practices and skill-building for parenting and partner communication. We administered surveys pre- and postintervention to assess efficacy in the areas of stress, depressive symptoms, father involvement attitudes, and mindfulness. Within-participant differences were compared across participants as well as examining individual reliable change. Results indicated initial reductions in stress and depressive symptoms and increases in the mindfulness constructs of nonjudgment and nonreactivity. No significant changes were found in father involvement attitudes. Perinatal intervention specific to fathers holds promise as an underexplored avenue for supporting families across the transition to parenthood.

THE EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON STRESS COPING STYLES

Problem statement. The article presents the theoretical and empirical research of three stress coping styles: adaptive, relatively adaptive, maladaptive. The special attention is paid to the empirical study on each style components: personal reactions to stress, psychological defence, endurance under aggressive work conditions and threats to life, fast resources recovery after stress, ability to build partnerships, responsibility and determination, a set of adequate reactions to stress. Objective. To carry out an empirical research of police patrol officers’ stress coping styles. Research Methods. The diagnostic base included the following methods: E. Heim’s method examining coping strategies, “Don’t let a person fall” express-diagnostics of A. Smirnova (projective technique), “Assessment of nervous and mental tension” of T. Nemchin, “A person under rain” (projective technique) of A. Romanova and T. Sitko, the inquirer of the social-psychological adaptation of C.Rogers and R.Diamond, “Transactional analysis of communication” of E. Ilyin. Research results. Most respondents with adaptive style of stress overcoming in extreme conditions apply successful coping strategies (66%), they quickly recover lost resources, are prone to partner communication, responsible, show leadership qualities, find a way out of situations and are able to lead others, feel protected in a stressful situation, are able to perform duties under aggressive working conditions, rarely get into critical situations because they always carefully calculate all possible variants of events and try to foresee everything that can happen, in a critical situation they are not confused and can do everything necessary to correct what has happened. Patrol officers with the maladaptive style are unable to work in extreme working conditions, feel unprotected in aggressive conditions, and react to stress naively and timidly.

“Are You Clean?” Encouraging STI Communication in Casual Encounters through Narrative Messages in Romance Novels

ABSTRACT Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise among young women, and a key factor in STI prevention is partner communication about STIs. Because entertainment narratives are shown to positively influence behavior change, the current study examined whether exposure to a romance novel excerpt wherein successful STI communication was modeled (versus one without) was associated with increased STI communication intentions. Guided by the Integrative Model for Behavioral Prediction, we also explored potential cognitive mechanisms of narrative exposure (i.e., self-efficacy, attitudes, normative beliefs) on behavioral intentions. Results of an experimental study with single, sexually-active college aged females (N = 166), showed exposure to a narrative including behavioral modeling was associated with increased perceived injunctive norms for STI communication. Self-efficacy and descriptive norms were also associated with STI communication intentions. Results suggest that when developing text-based STI communication narratives, it may be particularly important to build self-confidence and frame STI communication behavior as something others do.

“What does it matter?” Young sexual minority men discuss their conversations with sexual partners about HPV vaccination

Objective: Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage is suboptimal, especially among males. Social networks influence young adults’ health behaviors and could be leveraged to promote vaccination. We sought to describe how young sexual minority men communicate about human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination with their sexual partners. Participants: National (U.S.) sample of sexual minority men ages 18–26 (n = 42) from January 2019. Methods: We conducted four online focus groups and identified salient themes using inductive content analysis. Results: Across groups, participants described that HPV vaccination is not a focus of their conversations with sexual partners. Other key themes related to HPV vaccine communication included: varying discissions based on relationship type, and valuing conversations with partners about safer sex. Conclusions: Findings provide novel insight into how young sexual minority men communicate with their sexual partners about HPV vaccination and identify potential areas for interventions to promote communication. Future research is needed to investigate associations between partner communication and HPV vaccine uptake.

Reducing HIV/STI Risk Among Adolescents Aged 12 to 14 Years: a Randomized Controlled Trial of Project Prepared

Despite calls for evidence-based HIV/STI prevention programs for youth aged 12 to 14 transitioning to adolescence, few effective programs exist. In a two-group intent-to-treat randomized trial in the Bronx, NY, 397 participants were randomly assigned to Project Prepared or an attention control, TEEN. Participants completed surveys at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Prepared had two components, an 11-session program and a 3-week internship. Content covered sexual risk behavior, social cognitions, gender norms, relationships, and resilience. TEEN built communication skills and had the same intensity and structure as Prepared but no sexual content. In both, boys and girls were trained together in mixed groups of ~ 11 teens. Primary outcomes were HIV knowledge, self-efficacy, condom outcome expectancy, and behavioral intentions. Secondary outcomes were relationship expectations and endorsement of risky gender norms. Generalized estimating equation analyses showed youth randomized to Prepared had significant improvements compared to TEEN at T2 in HIV knowledge, sexual self-efficacy, and outcome expectancy for condom use. At T3, there were significant differences favoring Prepared in outcome expectancy for condom use, sexual self-efficacy, and intention for partner communication about HIV/AIDS or STIs. Analyses by gender showed program effects in both boys (intention to talk to a partner about condom use, abstinence self-efficacy, sexual self-efficacy, and condom outcome expectancy) and girls (gender norms, and abstinence outcome expectancy). Prepared effectively reduced risk in young adolescents. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01880450, Protocol ID: 2008-551

Relationship dynamics and anticipated stigma: Key considerations for PrEP use among Tanzanian adolescent girls and young women and male partners.

ObjectivesWe examined key gender, interpersonal and community dynamics influencing PrEP acceptability among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and their male partners.MethodsWe administered 12 in-depth interviews (IDI) to partnered, or married AGYW aged 15–24 years living without HIV, and 16 IDIs to male partners living without HIV aged 18 or older, partnered or married to an AGYW in Tanzania. Card sorting, a participatory qualitative method for facilitating systematic discussion, was used to identify attitudes, values, and desires that would influence PrEP acceptability.ResultsRelationship distrust, partner communication about HIV risk, and need to control HIV risk were highly influential considerations for PrEP use. AGYW and male partners both wanted to discuss PrEP use amidst relationship distrust, while most male partners encouraged AGYW PrEP use for shared protective benefit. Anticipated stigma of being perceived as a person living with HIV, as a result of PrEP use, was a deterrent for both AGYW and male partners while AGYW also feared additional stigma of being considered sexually promiscuous.ConclusionsCouples counseling for PrEP uptake and adherence might be a well-placed strategy for couples who are living without HIV to educate one another about the relationship benefits of using PrEP, thereby increasing its acceptance and adherence, addressing unequal power dynamics, and reducing associated relationship distrust. Community awareness and education about PrEP can help curb persistent PrEP stigma, including intersectional stigma.

The Extent of Male Partners’ Participation in Family Planning: A Case of Tarime District, Tanzania

This study sought to examine the extent of male partners’ participation in family planning in Tarime District, Tanzania. The study adapted a mixed research design to generate data through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires. The instruments were employed to 312 respondents. The analysis was done using descriptive statistics and thematic approach. The major findings indicated that men were the major decision makers within the household because in many situations, they owned the family income and they were the breadwinners. Study participants had different perceptions of family planning methods but generally, fear of side effects was found to be the major hindrance to enhanced use of family planning methods. Furthermore, some people associated the use of family planning with unfaithfulness or promiscuity. The study recommends that it is important to consider the multiplicity of social realities in the efforts to improve the acceptability of the modern family planning services. In addition, efforts need to be intensified to encourage partner communication and engagement in order to improve the family planning practices. Future family planning programs should look at addressing underlying social norms leading to gender inequality and lack of joint decision-making. Finally, family planning programs should encourage communication and joint decision-making among couples in households.

KOMUNIKACIJA MEĐU PARTNERIMA U DIGITALNO DOBA: MOGUĆNOSTI OBITELJSKE MEDIJACIJE

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARTNERS IN A DIGITAL AGE: FAMILY MEDIATION POSSIBILITIES7 ABSTRACT Digital tools enable numerous advantages in everyday life, and the usage of the Internet is increasing in all age groups. Communication through modern technologies is conducted in everyday private and professional relationships, and therefore digital environment brings numerous changes in the area of interpersonal relationships. The influence of the online environment on partner relationships is in the focus of researchers and practitioners alike. The aim of this paper is to present modern trends in the area of partner communication in the digital environment and to present the possibilities and challenges for family mediators in the contemporary digital age particularly significant in actual crisis of COVID 19 pandemic. The first part of the paper is focused on partner relationships in the modern, digital age and it presents the results of the research in the area of partner communication in the online environment, as well as the implications for the practitioners in the area of partner relationships. The second part of the paper presents the possibilities of family mediation in the online environment. Digital tools and possibilities of online communication have many benefits in the professional practice of helping professionals who, due to the additional demands of the online environment, have the responsibility to improve their digital competencies and to implement modern technologies in their daily practice. Since the online environment brings specific ethical challenges to professionals, this paper will present the ethical standards needed for the area of online family mediation. The paper briefly presents the digital tools and applications which can be useful to the partners and family mediators during the family mediation process. Key words: digital environment, partner communication, family mediation, digital tools.

Parents Matter: Associations Between Parent Connectedness and Sexual Health Indicators Among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adolescents.

Transgender and gender-diverse youth experience significant health disparities across numerous domains of health, including sexual health. Among general populations, parent connectedness has been strongly associated with youth sexual health. The relationships between parent connectedness and sexual health indicators were investigated among 2,168 transgender and gender-diverse youth who participated in the 2016 Minnesota Student Survey, a statewide population-based survey of ninth- and 11th-grade students. Multivariate logistic regression models, stratified by sex assigned at birth, tested associations between parent connectedness-youth's perceptions of parent caring and parent-youth communication-and eight sexual health indicators: ever having had sex, having multiple sexual partners in the past year, pregnancy involvement, substance use at last sex, partner communication about STI prevention, partner communication about pregnancy prevention, condom use at last sex and pregnancy prevention methods at last sex. The level of parent connectedness was inversely associated with ever having had sex, regardless of sex assigned at birth (odds ratios, 0.6-0.8). Although level of connectedness was inversely associated with having multiple sexual partners in the past year and pregnancy involvement among transgender and gender-diverse youth assigned male at birth (0.6-0.7), these relationships were nonsignificant among transgender and gender-diverse youthassigned female at birth. Further differences in associations between parent connectedness and four sexual risk-reduction behaviors were found between youth assigned male at birth and those assigned female. As with other populations, parent connectedness promotes sexual health among transgender and gender-diverse youth and may provide a point of intervention.

"I did not know about all these": Perceptions regarding safer conception methods by women living with HIV in Gaborone, Botswana.

Various safer conception methods to limit HIV transmission risks can be offered in resource-constrained settings. However, implementation of safer conception services remains limited in many countries, including Botswana. Understanding perceptions about safer conception methods and the benefits and challenges to use can help with the development of policies, interventions, and service delivery models. Forty-five women living with HIV in the greater Gaborone, Botswana area participated in focus group discussions. Themes were analyzed using interpretive phenomenology. Despite low knowledge of specific safer conception methods that can be used to prevent transmission of HIV when trying to achieve pregnancy, there was noted interest in pre-exposure prophylaxis and vaginal insemination. Challenges to greater uptake were noted including a lack of knowledge about a range of SC methods, limited partner support and communication, provider stigma, health systems barriers, current policies, and the cultural acceptability of methods. Interventions will need to address these challenges and be responsive to the needs and reflect the realities of WLHIV who desire pregnancy in order for safer conception uptake to become a common practice.

“I'm not Gonna Die Because of an STD”: Female African American Adolescents' Perspectives on how they Protected Themselves from Sexual Risks While in Foster Care

PurposeYouth in foster care are at greater risk for engaging in sexual behaviors that increase their odds of experiencing negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe challenges faced by female African American adolescents in foster care as they tried to protect themselves from SRH risks and protective beliefs and behaviors to avoid these risks. Design and methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 female African American adolescents, ages 18–20 years, with a history of foster care placement during adolescence. Purposive sampling was done to recruit participants from a metropolitan area in Virginia. Transcribed interviews underwent inductive thematic analysis. This paper focuses on the theme of protection from SRH risks and its subthemes of challenges that made it difficult to avoid sexual risks and protective beliefs and behaviors that facilitated avoidance of those risks. ResultsParticipants reported yearning for connection, partners' desire to not use condoms, and judgmental caregivers as challenges. Protective beliefs and behaviors included open communication with their caregivers about SRH, abstinence, contraceptive use, and participants' desire to be healthy. ConclusionsStudy findings shed light on protective beliefs and behaviors female youth in foster care used to safeguard themselves from negative SRH outcomes. Youth at times lacked agency in sexual decision-making and contraceptive use. Practice implicationsFindings highlight the importance of sexual relationships and partner communication related to contraceptive use, and offering trauma-informed interventions, including culturally sensitive counseling regarding long acting reversible contraception.

Sexual health after a breast cancer diagnosis in young women: clinical implications for patients and providers.

Sexual dissatisfaction after breast cancer treatment is a common phenomenon that, unfortunately, places a significant strain on young women and is becoming more common as treatment regimens rely more and more on anti-endocrine therapies. A PubMed review of peer reviewed manuscripts between the years 1998-2020 evaluating sexual health and wellbeing in cancer patients, primarily young women with breast cancer, was conducted. There are several categories of sexual dissatisfaction women may experience as a result of her breast cancer diagnosis, including menopausal symptoms and dyspareunia, negative body image, reduced sexual desire, strained relationships and partner communication, and anxiety about cancer disclosure in dating relationships. Several methods of addressing each domain have been studied. While hormonal replacement therapy remains controversial, other medication regimens have been shown to be effective in treating menopausal symptoms and dyspareunia. Cognitive behavioral therapy, sex therapy, and couples' therapy are all effective in addressing a variety of symptoms across multiple domains. Oncologists are often not prepared to discuss sexual health concerns as frequently as women need. Further work is needed to bring easily digestible and meaningful educational opportunities into clinical practice so young breast cancer survivors can receive comprehensive post-cancer survivorship care.

To Use or Not to Use?: A Mixed Methods Study on Predictors and Barriers of Condom Use Among College Students

Unprotected anal sex is one of the highest-risk sexual behaviors associated with high rates of STIs. College students often engage in sexual risky behaviors without consistently using condoms. This study examined predictors of condom use among students who engaged in anal sex (n = 242) at an American Southeastern university. Using a convergent research design, researchers used both quantitative and qualitative data to answer the research question. The quantitative data showed that partner communication and gender were statistically significant predictors of condom use. Qualitative results indicated the importance of communication between partners and knowledge of a partner’s HIV status. Qualitative data also revealed that experiential attitudes are an important factor of condom non-use in anal sex. Merged results illustrated that students tend not to use condoms during anal sex overall and the importance of communication between partners.

Increasing partner communication and understanding during pregnancy: evaluation of ‘The Great Pregnancy Quiz’

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate a Quiz designed to enhance communication and understanding in expectant parents. Background A supportive and understanding relationship is associated with better maternal mental health outcomes. Many services therefore advocate that couples should communicate openly with each other, particularly about worries or concerns either have. To facilitate this a quiz (The Great Pregnancy Quiz) was developed and evaluated in this project. Method English-speaking women (N = 442) and men (N = 146) were recruited from antenatal clinics or classes and were given the ‘Great Pregnancy Quiz’ to complete at home. Approximately 2–4 weeks (T2) later they participated in either a phone interview, an online survey, or a face-face interview, still during the pregnancy, concerning the impact of the Quiz. Data were available from 90 women and 46 men. Data were analysed using a mixed-methods single group post-test only design. Results Most women (78 of the 90: 87%) and men (35 of the 46: 76%) reported that the Quiz had positively impacted either their understanding or knowledge of each other. For 30 of the 90 women (33%) and 3 of the 46 men (7%) one or other had implemented some new supportive behaviour due to the Quiz. Qualitative comments highlight the impacts of the Quiz. Conclusion Most couples who did the Quiz reported positive impacts on their communication and understanding. While the issue of low T2 contact rates may have skewed the results, the benefits associated with the quiz make this resource an inexpensive and easily implemented health promotion strategy.

Implementing Community Sustainability Plans through Partnership: Examining the Relationship between Partnership Structural Features and Climate Change Mitigation Outcomes

Addressing society’s most complex challenges, such as climate change, requires bringing together stakeholders from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors. At the municipal level, multi-stakeholder partnerships are often formed to implement community sustainability plans. However, these partnerships can create new challenges, as it is cumbersome to coordinate action among a group that is made up of such diverse stakeholders. Past research suggests that it is important for these partnerships to have the appropriate structures in place to mitigate some of the coordination challenges to which they are prone. Yet, very few studies have examined the influence that different structural features have on plan outcomes. This article seeks to address this important research gap by using quantitative methods to examine five different features that can compose partnership structures—oversight, monitoring and evaluation, partner engagement, communication, and community wide-actions and their impact on climate change mitigation outcomes. Based on data collected through a global survey and publicly available greenhouse gases emission data from 72 different partnerships that implement community sustainability plans (CSPs), this study finds that structural features related to oversight and community-wide actions are positively associated with climate change mitigation outcomes. These results indicate that certain features of partnership structures may be more important for achieving desirable climate change mitigation outcomes, and thus contribute to research on collaborative governance structures and climate action.