Perceived Partner Support Research Articles

Perceived partner support in pregnancy predicts lower maternal and infant distress.

Maternal postpartum emotional distress is quite common and can pose significant risk to mothers and infants. The current study investigated mothers' relationships with their partners during pregnancy and tested the hypotheses that perception of prenatal partner support is a significant predictor of changes in maternal emotional distress from midpregnancy to postpartum, and contributes to maternal ratings of infant distress to novelty. Using a prospective longitudinal design, 272 adult pregnant women were interviewed regarding their partner support, relationship satisfaction, and interpersonal security (attachment style and willingness to seek out support), and they completed standardized measures of prenatal symptoms of depression and anxiety (distress). At 6 to 8 weeks' postpartum, mothers reported these symptoms again and completed measures of their infants' temperament. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test direct and indirect contributions of partner support, relationship satisfaction, and interpersonal security to maternal and infant postpartum distress. Mothers who perceived stronger social support from their partners midpregnancy had lower emotional distress postpartum after controlling for their distress in early pregnancy, and their infants were reported to be less distressed in response to novelty. Partner support mediated the effects of mothers' interpersonal security and relationship satisfaction on maternal and infant outcomes. A high-quality, supportive partner relationship during pregnancy may contribute to improved maternal and infant well-being postpartum, indicating a potential role for partner relationships in mental health interventions, with possible benefits for infants as well.

Perceived partner support in pregnancy predicts lower maternal and infant distress.

Perceived partner support in pregnancy predicts lower maternal and infant distress.

Beyond Initial Disclosure: The Role of Prognosis and Symptom Uncertainty in Patterns of Disclosure in Relationships

This study is framed in Greene's (2009) health disclosure decision-making model (DD-MM) and explores the role of prognosis and symptom uncertainty in patterns of disclosure in a close relationship. Toward this end, an uncertainty and disclosure model is hypothesized in which prognosis and symptom uncertainty and relational quality are expected to predict perceived partner support, communication efficacy, and the depth, breadth, and frequency of disclosure to a partner about a chronic health condition. Patients with diagnosed heart-related conditions visiting a private medical office were recruited to complete anonymous surveys. Results indicated that (1) the key mechanisms identified in the DD-MM are associated with the depth, breadth, and frequency of disclosure to a partner about a health condition, and (2) uncertainty plays a prominent role in people's communication with their partner about the heart-related condition. The findings and implications of the study are discussed.

Attachment figures activate a safety signal-related neural region and reduce pain experience

Although it has long been hypothesized that attachment figures provide individuals with a sense of safety and security, the neural mechanisms underlying attachment-induced safety have not been explored. Here, we investigated whether an attachment figure acts as a safety signal by exploring whether viewing an attachment figure during a threatening experience (physical pain) led to increased activity in a neural region associated with safety signaling, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC), and corresponding reductions in pain. Female participants in long-term romantic relationships were scanned as they received painful stimuli while viewing pictures of their partner and control images (stranger, object). Consistent with the idea that the attachment figure may signal safety, results revealed that viewing partner pictures while receiving painful stimulation led to reductions in self-reported pain ratings, reductions in pain-related neural activity (dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula), and increased activity in the VMPFC. Moreover, greater VMPFC activity in response to partner pictures was associated with longer relationship lengths and greater perceived partner support, further highlighting a role for the VMPFC in responding to the safety value of the partner. Last, greater VMPFC activity while viewing partner pictures was associated with reduced pain ratings and reduced pain-related neural activity. An implication of these findings is that, in the same way that stimuli that historically have threatened survival (e.g., snakes, spiders) are considered to be prepared fear stimuli, attachment figures, who have historically benefited survival, may serve as prepared safety stimuli, reducing threat- or distress-related responding in their presence.

Perceived partner support and psychosexual adjustment to breast cancer

Support from a partner can play a key role in a woman's emotional adjustment to breast cancer. However, little is known about the influence of partner behaviours on a woman's sexual adjustment. This study examined the prospective relationship between baseline levels of several types of perceived partner support (instrumental, informational, emotional and negative) and psychosexual adjustment (sexual functioning and relationship satisfaction) over the course of 12 months post-surgery in a sample of 130 women with breast cancer. Results indicated that perceptions of greater emotional and informational support from the partner at baseline were associated with less sexual difficulties among breast cancer patients concurrently and 6 months post-surgery. Baseline perceptions of greater emotional and instrumental support from a partner were associated with greater relationship satisfaction at all time points. Perceptions of informational support at baseline were related to greater concurrent relationship satisfaction. Baseline perceptions of negative partner support were related to less relationship satisfaction, but only concurrently. These findings suggest that the perception of a partner's provision of emotional, instrumental and informational support may each play a role in facilitating sexual adjustment and relationship satisfaction.

Direct and indirect effects of perceived social support on women's infertility-related stress

Social support can be a critical component of how a woman adjusts to infertility, yet few studies have investigated its impact on infertility-related coping and stress. We examined relationships between social support contexts and infertility stress domains, and tested if they were mediated by infertility-related coping strategies in a sample of infertile women. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Copenhagen Multi-centre Psychosocial Infertility coping scales and the Fertility Problem Inventory were completed by 252 women seeking treatment. Structural equation modeling analysis was used to test the hypothesized multiple mediation model. The final model revealed negative effects from perceived partner support to relationship concern (β = -0.47), sexual concern (β = -0.20) and rejection of childfree lifestyle through meaning-based coping (β = -0.04). Perceived friend support had a negative effect on social concern through active-confronting coping (β = -0.04). Finally, besides a direct negative association with social concern (β = -0.30), perceived family support was indirectly and negatively related with all infertility stress domains (β from -0.04 to -0.13) through a positive effect of active-avoidance coping. The model explained between 12 and 66% of the variance of outcomes. Despite being limited by a convenience sampling and cross-sectional design, results highlight the importance of social support contexts in helping women deal with infertility treatment. Health professionals should explore the quality of social networks and encourage seeking positive support from family and partners. Findings suggest it might prove useful for counselors to use coping skills training interventions, by retraining active-avoidance coping into meaning-based and active-confronting strategies.

Associations Between Perceived Partner Support and Relationship Dynamics With Timing of Pregnancy Termination

Background Little is known about partner- and relationship-level characteristics that may affect the timing of pregnancy termination. The present study sought to address this issue by examining women’s perceptions of social support and relationship-level dynamics for their association with timing of pregnancy termination. Methods Data on partner characteristics and relationship dynamics were collected from 373 women receiving abortions at clinics in two large East Coast cities via a brief, self-administered survey. These surveys collected information on individual and partner characteristics as well as perceived emotional, financial, and material support and relationship dynamics. Results Forty-six percent of women (mean age, 25 years; 52% African American, 27% Latina, 9% White; 34% currently in school; 37% employed full time) in this study were terminating a pregnancy at more than 9 weeks’ gestation (mean, 9.6; median, 8; interquartile range, 6–12). On bivariate analysis, we found that women terminating early (<9 weeks) were more likely to report perceptions of supportive partner interactions and joint decision making compared with those terminating later. Perceived negative interactions with partners were associated with later termination. In multivariate analysis, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, women who reported delays in pregnancy termination were also more likely to report a greater degree of perceived negative interactions in their relationships (adjusted odds ratio, 1.95; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–3.20). Discussion These findings suggest that factors influencing a woman’s decision to terminate a pregnancy are not limited to her own professional or personal goals, but also include the social and relationship context within which the pregnancy occurs.

Relationship Among Differentiation of Self, Relationship Satisfaction, Partner Support, and Depression in Patients With Chronic Lung Disease and Their Partners

The purpose of the present study is to test the relationships among differentiation of self, relationship satisfaction, perceived partner support, and depression in a sample of patients with chronic lung disease (CLD) and their partners. The sample consisted of 52 patients with CLD and their partners. Hierarchical multiple regression was used for data analysis. The results indicate that (a) patients' differentiation of self is significantly lower than partners' differentiation of self, (b) patients' relationship satisfaction is positively correlated with partners' relationship satisfaction, (c) patients' relationship satisfaction predicts perceived partner supportive behavior, (d) perceived partner unsupportive behavior predicts patients' depression, (e) partners' differentiation of self predicts partners' relationship satisfaction, (f) partners' relationship satisfaction predicts partner supportive behavior, and (g) partners' differentiation of self and relationship satisfaction predicts partners' depression. The study serves to highlight the fact that the patient is part of a system, and that taking the system into account is relevant to the well-being of both the patient and the partner, in particular for patients with CLD, a heretofore unstudied population. The results of such studies have significant implications for couple and family therapists.

Motivating Latino Smokers to Quit: Does Type of Social Support Matter?

Social support may help smokers quit and buffer against factors that hinder quitting. The study's aims are to examine which types of social support are effective for quitting smoking among Latino smokers and whether social support buffers the effects of depressed mood on smoking cessation. Participants were Latino smokers with children with asthma (N = 131, mean age = 37 years, 73% female). They did not have to want to quit smoking to participate. Smoking status was biochemically verified at a 3-month follow-up. Social support was assessed as whether or not the participant had a significant other, level of perceived general support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List) and level of perceived partner support for smoking cessation (Partner Interaction Questionnaire). Depressed mood was assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Hierarchical logistic regression. Thirty percent of those with a partner quit smoking versus 14.3% of those without a partner. 43.5% of those with high levels of perceived positive partner support quit smoking vs. 17.4% of those with low levels. There was a significant interaction between whether or not a smoker had a partner and depressed mood on quitting: among those not partnered, quit rates were higher among those with low levels of depressed mood (37%) than among those with high levels of depressed mood (9%; odds ratio = 1.147, 95% confidence interval = 1.031-1.276, p < .02). Among those partnered, quit rates were not significantly different between those with high vs. low levels of depressed mood. This paper is the first to examine multiple sources of support for smoking cessation in Latino smokers; partner support and the presence of a significant other are associated with quitting smoking.

Individual, Interpersonal, and Relationship Factors Predicting Hormonal and Condom Use Consistency Among Adolescent Girls

Introduction Few existing studies have considered influences of adolescents' sexual partners on contraceptive consistency. This study examines the influence of personal characteristics, partner characteristics, and relationship factors on consistency of contraceptive use among an ethnically diverse sample of adolescent girls at high risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Method Data are from 110 sexually active 13- to 17-year-old girls participating in a clinic-based intervention study aimed at reducing sexual risk behaviors. Personal characteristics were assessed at baseline (T1), and partner and relationship characteristics were assessed at 12 months (T2). Results Multivariate analyses revealed that T2 hormonal contraceptive consistency was predicted by T1 hormonal consistency, girls' desire to use birth control, having the same sexual partner at T1 and T2, perceived partner support for birth control, and communication with partner about sexual risk. T2 condom use consistency was negatively predicted by emergency contraceptive use history and perceived partner support for birth control. Discussion Findings underscore the importance of nurses addressing both personal and relationship factors in their efforts to promote consistent contraceptive use among sexually active adolescent girls.

Anger expression, partner support, and quality of life in cancer patients

Objective Family members are the most important source of social support for cancer patients. The determinants of family support, however, are not well understood. In this study, the associations of anger-expression styles of both patients and their partners with patient-perceived partner support and the impact of these variables on long-term health-related quality of life (HRQL) of the patient were examined. Method The baseline data were collected at the time of diagnosis; a follow-up survey was conducted at 8 months. Questionnaires included the Spielberger AX scale, the Family Support scale, and the RAND-36 Health Survey. The sample comprised 153 patients and their partners. The theoretical model was tested with a path analysis using structural equation modeling, and gender differences were tested using multivariate analysis of covariance. Results Path analyses indicated that partner support was an important mediator, partly explaining the associations between anger-expression styles and HRQL. As hypothesized, anger control had a positive relationship with perceived partner support, while habitual inhibition of anger (anger-in) showed a negative correlation with partner support. Analyses by gender revealed some clear differences: for the male patients, the wife's high level of anger expression (anger-out) was significantly positively related to patient mental HRQL, whereas for the female patients, their husband's anger-out was negatively correlated with the patient's mental HRQL. In addition, patient's own anger-out had a more pronounced negative effect on HRQL for women as compared to men. Conclusion The anger-expression styles of both patients and their partners seem to modify the family atmosphere, and together, they are important determinants of the long-term quality of life of the cancer patients. Interventions for couples facing cancer should include a focus on ways of dealing with anger and thereby support dyadic coping with cancer.

Trauer, Bewältigung und subjektive Ursachenzuschreibungen nach Frühaborten: Adaptivität von Verarbeitungsmustern untersucht in einer Längsschnittstudie

A few weeks after miscarriage 232 women were questioned with standardized questionnaires and symptom scales about the way in which they coped with an early miscarriage (up to the 16th week of gestation) about mourning processes and subjective attribution as well as anamnestic and psychosocial characteristics. Seven and fourteen months after pregnancy loss and if necessary in the first trimester of a following pregnancy the psychological symptoms of the women (fear and depressive symptoms) were evaluated. A few weeks after miscarriage we found with main component analysis three patterns of coping. The pattern of "depressive coping" could be diagnosed as a predictor of increased depression seven months after the miscarriage and in a new pregnancy. Depressive pathology in a new pregnancy of the women with early pregnancy loss can be predicted also over the pattern of "anxious grieving". On the other hand, the pattern of "active coping" is associated with lower state anxiety in a new pregnancy. Lack of perceived partner support and past divorces or separations are risk factors for increased fears in a new pregnancy. These results suggest that women who have had an early miscarriage especially if they have maladaptive coping patterns and psychosocial risk factor for maladjustment need prevention of psychological disturbances with an integrated psychosomatic concept.

Quality of life in cancer patients: The role of optimism, hopelessness, and partner support

The interaction of optimism, hopelessness and social support as predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) among seriously ill people is not well understood. Also, the impact of partner characteristics on patient quality of life has often been overlooked. In this study the relationships between optimism, hopelessness, partner support and HRQL were investigated in 155 cancer patients and their partners. Special attention was given to the effects of optimism and hopelessness as mediators and moderators in the partner support-HRQL relationship. The impact of partner optimism and hopelessness on perceived partner support and patient HRQL was also studied. The results indicated substantial gender differences in the relationships between the study variables. High levels of partner support were associated with female patients' optimistic appraisals, and together they predicted better HRQL at 8 months follow-up. Partial support was found for the effect of optimism as a mediator. For male patients, low hopelessness was the key variable predicting good HRQL. Clear evidence for the moderator effects of optimism/hopelessness was not found, and the expected impact of partner's characteristics on partner support or patient HRQL could not be confirmed. Although partner support, patient optimism and hopelessness all appeared to be important determinants of HRQL in cancer patients, the relationships between these variables differed by gender. The proposed mediation and moderation models needs to be confirmed in future studies.

Midlife concerns and short‐term personality change in middle adulthood

In this study, it was expected that personality change would be related to parents' concerns in various domains of midlife functioning. Personality was found to be moderately stable, but small but reliable change was also found. Fathers' change in personality was uniquely related to their life satisfaction, work stress and perceptions of the level of their adolescent children's internalising problems, but not to perceived partner support. By comparison, mothers' change in personality was only uniquely related to their life satisfaction. These results suggest that personality change in midlife is associated with the successful adaptation to midlife concerns. This pattern is consistent with social investment theories of personality development, though cross‐lagged longitudinal research is needed to substantiate this conclusion. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Long-term Psychological Consequences of Pregnancy Termination for Fetal Abnormality: A Cross-sectional Study

Most couples that conceive a child having a severe congenital anomaly decide to terminate the pregnancy. In The Netherlands, approximately 500 of 200,000 annual pregnancies end in termination of pregnancy (TOP) because of fetal anomaly. Such terminations are complex life events; many women-and their partners-find the decision to be an almost inhuman act. The voluntary nature of the act may conflict with normal grief responses. Studies have shown that gestational age, severity of the anomaly, and its compatibility with extrauterine life all play a major role in the decision-making process. This cross-sectional study enrolled 254 woman 2 to 7 years after TOP for fetal anomaly. In all cases, TOP took place before 24 weeks gestation. The mean age at termination was 34 years and the mean gestational age was 18 weeks. Standard questionnaires served to estimate grief, posttraumatic symptoms and psychologic and somatic sequelae. Final results were available for 196 women who completed all the questionnaires. Scores on tests of grief, posttraumatic stress, and psychosomatic symptoms correlated closely with one another. These measures, however, correlated only moderately, at best, with feelings of doubt and regret. Eight of the women reported feelings of regret, and 10% reported being in doubt. Both educational level and perceived support from the partner correlated closely and consistently with outcome measures. Less educated women and those perceiving limited support from their partners had the lowest scores on psychologic outcomes. None of the predictors correlated significantly with feelings of regret. Outcomes did not relate significantly to religion, having living children, method of TOP, or recent life events. On multiple regression analysis, grief was independently predicted by educational level, gestational age, and lethality. Educational level significantly predicted posttraumatic stress. Less educated women more often had somatic complaints. Both anxiety and depression appeared to increase over time. Advanced gestational age at TOP predicted doubt about the decision to terminate, as did presumed fetal viability and having living children. Perceived partner support independently influenced grief, most aspects of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. Five women (2.6% of those studied) had pathologic scores for grief and 33 (17%) for posttraumatic stress. In the latter group, elevated scores did not relate to the time since TOP. Women having TOP before 14 completed weeks of gestation had relatively low scores for grief and posttraumatic stress. The major modifiable factor predicting subsequent psychologic status in this study was perceived support by the partner, suggesting that more attention to counseling of partners would be appropriate. Less educated women are in particular need of support. Outcomes are likely to be best when prenatal screening and diagnostic tests are carried out early in the course of pregnancy.

Long‐term psychological consequences of pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality: a cross‐sectional study

We examined women's long-term psychological well-being after termination of pregnancy (TOP) for fetal anomaly in order to identify risk factors for psychological morbidity. A cross-sectional study was performed in 254 women, 2 to 7 years after TOP for fetal anomaly before 24 weeks of gestation. We used standardised questionnaires to investigate grief, posttraumatic symptoms, and psychological and somatic complaints. Women generally adapted well to grief. However, a substantial number of the participants (17.3%) showed pathological scores for posttraumatic stress. Low-educated women and women who had experienced little support from their partners had the most unfavourable psychological outcome. Advanced gestational age at TOP was associated with higher levels of grief, and posttraumatic stress symptoms and long-term psychological morbidity was rare in TOP before 14 completed weeks of gestation. Higher levels of grief and doubt were found if the fetal anomaly was presumably compatible with life. Termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly is associated with long-lasting consequences for a substantial number of women. Clinically relevant determinants are gestational age, perceived partner support, and educational level.

Reproductive and Contraceptive Attitudes as Predictors of Condom Use Among Women in an HIV Prevention Intervention

ABSTRACT This study prospectively evaluates the effect of child-bearing motivation and contraceptive attitudes on consistency of condom use among at-risk women enrolled in an HIV prevention intervention. Women (age 15–40, 85% African-American) were recruited from homeless shelters, drug treatment facilities, and public housing developments and assigned to standard or enhanced intervention conditions. Among the eligible study group of nonsterilized women with a main partner (n = 312), 24.4% wanted to have a baby at baseline; 43.5% believed their partner wanted them to have a baby. Women who reported a desire for a baby, compared to all others, were less likely to be at a higher level of condom consistency six months later (OR = 0.66; .48–.90). Women who perceived partner support for contraceptive use showed a higher level of condom consistency (OR = 1.20; 1.03–1.41) at 6-month follow-up. Many women in this study wanted to have a baby and this desire interfered with subsequent consistency of condom use. We also found that condom use increased toward consistency of use among women whose partner supported contraceptive use. HIV prevention interventions should include screening for reproductive motivation, so that prevention messages can be tailored to the realities of women's lives. Women who want a baby can be educated about disease prevention in the context of pregnancy planning and linked with appropriate services. Women who want to avoid childbearing can be given messages that emphasize the contraceptive benefits of condom use and that help strengthen partner support.

Oral Contraceptive Use and Protective Behavior After Missed Pills

A three-month prospective study of 103 women initiating oral contraceptive use examined how consistently the women took their pills and whether those who missed pills employed other means to avoid pregnancy. The results showed that 52% took each active pill or never missed more than one pill at a time after the first week of the initial cycle, according to electronic devices that recorded the date and time each pill was removed from the blister pack. Another 21% were protected by behaviors that reduce the risk of pregnancy when two or more consecutive pills have been missed: avoiding coitus for the next seven days (18%) or using backup contraception during that period (3%). The remaining 27% were at increased risk of pregnancy. Predictors of increased risk were receiving low partner support for effective pill use, being unmarried and not considering it especially important to avoid pregnancy. Increased risk was most likely during the first seven days and during the third cycle of pill use.

The Multidimensional Impact of Chronic Pain on the Spouse

Spouses of patients with chronic pain face major challenges in learning to cope with the subsequent changes that occur in family life. This study examined the impact of those changes on the chronic pain patient's spouse, examining the extent and severity of psychosocial adjustment problems and the relationship of social support to the level of adjustment. For the twenty spouses in the study, results indicated that they were adversely impacted in multiple areas of their lives and that high levels of perceived partner support were related to better psychosocial adjustment. A multidimensional assessment instrument is evaluated for clinicians and researchers.