Psychological Adjustment Of Women Research Articles

Gender differences in relation to stigmatization and depressive symptoms after burns

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the moderating role of gender in the relationship between burn severity, perceived stigmatization and depressive symptoms at multiple time points postburn. Materials and methodsThis multi-center study included data from two cohorts. Cohort 1 consisted of 215 burn survivors, participating in a longitudinal study with measures at 3 and 12 months postburn. Cohort 2 consisted of 180 burn survivors cross-sectionally assessed at 5 – 7 years postburn. Both cohorts completed self-reported measures of perceived stigmatization and depressive symptoms. The number of acute surgeries (i.e., no surgery, 1 surgery or 2 or more surgeries) was used as indicator of burn severity. Relations between number of surgeries, depressive symptoms, and perceived stigmatization, including possible indirect effects, were evaluated with gender-specific path models. ResultsIn both men and women, number of surgical operations was related to higher levels of depressive symptoms and perceived stigmatization at 3 months after burn. In women, number of operations was still directly related to both constructs at 12 months after burn, which was cross-sectionally confirmed in the 5–7 years after burn cohort. In men, from 3 to 12 months after burn, depressive symptoms and perceived stigmatization were bidirectionally related, and, through these effects, number of surgeries was indirectly related to both outcomes. In the cross-sectional 5–7 years after burn cohort, number of operations was related to stigma but not to depressive symptoms of men. ConclusionNumber of operations had a different effect on psychosocial adaptation of male and female burn survivors. In women, a persistent direct link from number of operations to both depressive symptoms and perceived stigmatization was found over time. In men, the effect of number of operations was most evident in the short-term, after which perceived stigmatization and depressive symptoms became interrelated. This indicates that burn severity remains a factor of significance in psychological adjustment in women, whereas in men, this significance seems to decrease over time.

The Effect of Type of Delivery on Female Postpartum Sexual Functioning: A Systematic Review.

Female sexual function could be considered as multifactorial. Specific physiological structures and hormonal fluctuations postpartum, along with the psychological adjustment of women, could result in altered sexual function. The primary aim of this review was to systematically appraise the existing data on the effect of mode of delivery on female sexual function. This review was designed based on the PRISMA statement guidelines. An extensive literature search was performed in the Pubmed, Scopus, and PsycInfo databases, using prespecified inclusion/exclusion criteria, between the 20 September and 10 October 2021. Studies’ quality assessment was conducted using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The initial search involved 1592 studies. The last step of the screening procedure yielded 16 studies, including 41,441 subjects with a mean age of 29.9 years. Studies included groups with spontaneous and assisted vaginal and C-section delivery modes. No statistically significant difference between groups was found. The type of delivery appears to be irrelevant regarding this relationship. Moderating factors seemed to indirectly influence this relationship. Health professionals should educate expectant mothers and be aware of the possibility that delivery method could affect sexual function.

Effectiveness of a psychological intervention focused on stress management for women prior to IVF

ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychological intervention focused on stress management in women who are candidates for in vitro fertilisation (IVF).Method: Pre–post study with two groups (n = 26). The psychological intervention group (IG) received a 90-minute session that included psychoeducation, relaxation training and coping skills. The control group (CG) did not receive any psychological intervention. All participants later underwent IVF. In the initial and final evaluations, state anxiety, emotional imbalance, adaptive resources and quality of life were measured. In the initial evaluation, demographic and clinical variables were also measured.Results: In the IG, the final evaluation reflected: (1) decreased levels of anxiety and emotional imbalance; (2) the perception of enhanced quality of life. Moreover, among the participants who received the psychological intervention and later achieved a successful IVF, the level of anxiety appeared to have decreased more strongly.Conclusions: A brief intervention focused on stress management can benefit the psychological adjustment of women who are candidates for IVF, reducing the anxiety they may experience in this regard. However, our conclusions are based on a small sample, and so should be considered with caution. Nevertheless, these results are promising and highlight the advisability of further research.

Partners Experience Consequences, Too: A Comparison of the Sexual, Relational, and Psychological Adjustment of Women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder and Their Partners to Control Couples

IntroductionWomen diagnosed with female sexual interest/arousal disorder (FSIAD) report lower health-related quality of life, more depressive symptoms, and lower sexual and relationship satisfaction compared with healthy control subjects. Despite the impact of FSIAD on women’s sexuality and the inherently interpersonal nature of the sexual problem, it remains unclear whether the partners of women with FSIAD also face negative consequences, as seen in other sexual dysfunctions. AimThe aim of this study was to compare the sexual, relational, and psychological functioning of partners of women with FSIAD (as well as the women themselves) to their control counterparts. We also compared women with their partners within the FSIAD and control groups. MethodsWoman diagnosed with FSIAD and their partners (n = 97) and control couples (n = 108) independently completed measures of sexual desire, sexual distress, sexual function, sexual satisfaction, sexual communication, relationship satisfaction, depression, and anxiety. Main Outcome MeasureMain outcomes included: Sexual Desire Inventory-2; Female Sexual Distress Scale; Female Sexual Functioning Index; International Index of Erectile Functioning (IIEF), Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction; Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale; Couple Satisfaction Index; Beck Depression Inventory-II; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Short Form. ResultsPartners of women with FSIAD reported lower sexual satisfaction, poorer sexual communication, and higher sexual distress compared with control partners. Male partners of women with FSIAD reported more difficulties with orgasmic and erectile functioning and lower overall satisfaction and intercourse satisfaction on the IIEF compared with control partners. Women with FSIAD reported lower sexual desire and satisfaction, and higher sexual distress and depressive and anxiety symptoms, in comparison to both control women and their own partners, and they reported poorer sexual communication compared with control women. Women with FSIAD also reported lower sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction, and greater pain during intercourse on the Female Sexual Function Index compared with control women. Clinical ImplicationsThe partners of women with FSIAD also experience negative consequences—primarily in the domain of sexuality. Partners should be included in treatment and future research. Strength & LimitationsThis is the first study, to our knowledge, to document consequences for partners of women with FSIAD in comparison to control subjects. This study is cross-sectional, and causation cannot be inferred. Most couples were in mixed-sex relationships and identified as straight and cis-gendered; results may not generalize. ConclusionFindings suggest that partners of women with FSIAD experience disruptions to many aspects of their sexual functioning, as well as lower overall sexual satisfaction and heightened sexual distress.Rosen NO, Dubé JP, Corsini-Munt S, et al. Partners Experience Consequences, Too: A Comparison of the Sexual, Relational, and Psychological Adjustment of Women with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder and Their Partners to Control Couples. J Sex Med 2019;16:83–95.

Women's Psychological Adjustment to Prison: A Review for Future Social Work Directions

Women's Psychological Adjustment to Prison: A Review for Future Social Work Directions

Psychological Adjustment in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Women living with a diagnosis of breast cancer constitute more than 20 % of the cancer survivor population in the United States. Research on trajectories of psychological adjustment in women recently diagnosed with breast suggests that the largest proportion of women evidences relatively low psychological distress either from the point of diagnosis or after a period of recovery. Substantial heterogeneity exists, however, and some women are at risk for lingering depression, anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence and other long-term psychological effects. Most women diagnosed with breast cancer also report a number of benefits that arise from their experience of cancer. Longitudinal studies have illuminated risk and protective factors for psychological adjustment in breast cancer survivors, which we describe in this chapter. Effective psychosocial interventions, as evidenced in randomized controlled trials, also are available for bolstering breast cancer-related adjustment. We offer directions for research to deepen the understanding of biological, psychological, and social contributors to positive adjustment in the context of breast cancer, as well as suggestions for the development of optimally efficient evidence-based psychosocial interventions for women living with the disease.

Adult Intimate Relationships and Psychological Adjustment

This study explored relations among perceived acceptance and behavioral control by intimate partners, remembrances of parents’ acceptance and behavioral control in childhood, and adults’ psychological adjustment. The study was conducted on 98 American adults (50 men and 48 women) between ages 18 and 50 (mean 26 years). Measures used were the Adult version of the Parental Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire for Mothers and Fathers(Adult PARQ/Control: Mother and Father); Intimate Partner Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire (IPAR/CQ); and, the Adult version of the Personality Assessment Questionnaire (Adult PAQ). Results showed significant positive correlations between psychological adjustment and perceived partner acceptance and parental acceptance for both women and men. Results also showed significant negative correlations between psychological adjustment and perceived partner control and parental control for both women and men. Regression analyses, however, revealed a significant independent effect of only paternal acceptance (but not of maternal and partner acceptance) on the psychological adjustment of men. Regression analyses also revealed significant independent effects of both paternal and maternal acceptance (but not partner acceptance) on the psychological adjustment of women.

Psychological Adjustment of Women in Cervical Cancer Screening

Since the widespread introduction of cervical cancer screening programs the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer has declined. In general, cervical cancer screening programs are viewed as a valuable component of preventive health services, but are also associated with negative effects for participants. The side effects of cervical cancer screening include anxiety, false reassurance and overdiagnosis. The purpose of the present review was to study the research literature on psychological adjustment among women undergoing cervical cancer screening. The review revealed two main areas with barriers to cervical cancer screening, the pelvic examination and Pap smear results. Women felt anxiety and embarrassment during the pelvic examination and highlighted the importance of a suitable examiner. Fear of negative results played a major role in women's decisions to participate. Fearing results of the Pap smear could be a source of distress.

When peer support may be most beneficial: the relationship between upward comparison and perceived threat

Currently, the mechanism by which dyadic peer support programs may facilitate positive psychological adjustment for cancer patients is unclear. This study utilized social comparison theory to examine the effects of peer support on the psychological adjustment of women with breast cancer. A cross-sectional survey of 251 recently diagnosed breast cancer patients (52% response), who had received a dyadic peer support intervention, was undertaken assessing anxiety, depression, perceived threat, and upward comparison. Perceived cancer threat significantly moderated the relationship between positive upward comparison and depression levels (p = 0.017). Women who engaged in upward comparisons and who perceived their diagnosis to be more threatening had lower depression levels than women who were less threatened. Peer support services that provide support from cancer survivors may be especially beneficial for people who appraise their cancer diagnosis as more threatening. The application of theoretical models to future evaluation designs will further increase understanding of the psychological mechanisms involved in the effects of peer support and inform program development.

Przystosowanie psychologiczne kobiet bezpośrednio po operacji onkologicznej i po zakończeniu leczenia

ENWEndNote BIBJabRef, Mendeley RISPapers, Reference Manager, RefWorks, Zotero AMA Szczepańska-Gieracha J, Malicka I, Rymaszewska J, Woźniewski M. Psychological adjustment of women after oncological surgery and at the end of treatment. Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia. 2010;14(6):403-410. doi:10.5114/wo.2010.19166. APA Szczepańska-Gieracha, J., Malicka, I., Rymaszewska, J., & Woźniewski, M. (2010). Psychological adjustment of women after oncological surgery and at the end of treatment. Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia, 14(6), 403-410. https://doi.org/10.5114/wo.2010.19166 Chicago Szczepańska-Gieracha, Joanna, Iwona Malicka, Joanna Rymaszewska, and Marek Woźniewski. 2010. "Psychological adjustment of women after oncological surgery and at the end of treatment". Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia 14 (6): 403-410. doi:10.5114/wo.2010.19166. Harvard Szczepańska-Gieracha, J., Malicka, I., Rymaszewska, J., and Woźniewski, M. (2010). Psychological adjustment of women after oncological surgery and at the end of treatment. Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia, 14(6), pp.403-410. https://doi.org/10.5114/wo.2010.19166 MLA Szczepańska-Gieracha, Joanna et al. "Psychological adjustment of women after oncological surgery and at the end of treatment." Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia, vol. 14, no. 6, 2010, pp. 403-410. doi:10.5114/wo.2010.19166. Vancouver Szczepańska-Gieracha J, Malicka I, Rymaszewska J, Woźniewski M. Psychological adjustment of women after oncological surgery and at the end of treatment. Contemporary Oncology/Współczesna Onkologia. 2010;14(6):403-410. doi:10.5114/wo.2010.19166.

Psychological Differences Between HIV‐Positive Mothers Who Disclose to All, Some, or None of Their Biological Children

This study explored the psychological differences between HIV-positive women who disclosed their serostatus to all, some, or none of their biological children. Data from this project come from a larger, longitudinal investigation of the disclosure process of HIV-infected women. Data were obtained regarding the disclosure processes and the psychological adjustment of women with children (n = 90) based on measures of depression, anxiety, and stress. Results suggest that women who disclose to all, some, or none of their children are not significantly different with regard to emotional well-being. Implications for marriage and family therapists are provided.

Body image issues in women with breast cancer

Diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer affects women physically as well as psychologically. There are many obvious and real factors that are related to psychological distress in women coping with breast cancer, such as facing a life-threatening illness, painful and impairing treatments, and significant role changes. Although these factors are clearly important, issues related to body image in women faced with breast cancer can also add to psychological distress. Women, in general, are concerned with their appearance, their weight, and their body, with recent studies suggesting 89% of women reported concerns with weight. Such premorbid concerns are often deeply ingrained and can contribute to psychological distress in women treated for breast cancer. The present article is a summary of the literature that has examined body image issues and related psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer. Implications for clinical practice and recommendations for future investigations are discussed.

Perceived Intimate Partner Acceptance, Remembered Parental Acceptance, and Psychological Adjustment Among Colombian and Puerto Rican Youths and Adults

This study explored the way in which remembered childhood experiences of maternal and paternal acceptance mediated and moderated the relation between perceived intimate-partner acceptance and the psychological adjustment of 222 youths and adults in Colombia and Puerto Rico. These variables were assessed through the use of self-report measures. Participants were involved in a significant intimate relationship at the time of the study. Results of bivariate correlations showed a positive and statistically significant association between both remembered maternal acceptance and intimate partner acceptance with psychological adjustment for both men and women. However, paternal acceptance only had a positive and significant correlation with women's (but not men's) psychological adjustment. Multiple regression analyses showed that for women (but not for men), remembrances of both maternal and paternal acceptance in childhood partially mediated the relation between perceived partner acceptance and women's psychological adjustment. Moreover, multiple regression analyses showed that the effect of remembered maternal acceptance moderated the relation between women's (but not men's) perceived intimate-partner acceptance and psychological adjustment.

Intimate Partner Acceptance, Parental Acceptance, Behavioral Control, and Psychological Adjustment Among Finnish Adults in Ongoing Attachment Relationships

This study explored gender differences in relations among perceived parental (maternal and paternal) acceptance and behavioral control, perceived partner acceptance and behavioral control, and psychological adjustment in 166 university students in Finland. Results showed significant positive correlations between men's and women's psychological adjustment and perceived partner acceptance as well as remembrances of both maternal and paternal acceptance in childhood. The single exception to this conclusion was the nonsignificant correlation between psychological adjustment and men's perceptions of their intimate partners' acceptance. In addition, neither partners' nor parents' behavioral control was significantly correlated with the psychological adjustment of either men or women. Accordingly, behavioral control was dropped from further analyses. Multiple regression analyses showed that only remembrances of fathers' acceptance in childhood were associated significantly with men's psychological adjustment. For women, however, both partner acceptance and remembered paternal acceptance (but not maternal acceptance) were uniquely and independently associated with psychological adjustment.

Introduction: Parental Acceptance-Rejection Theory Studies of Intimate Adult Relationships

The studies in this special issue explore three questions drawn from newly formulated postulates in parental acceptance-rejection theory: (a) To what extent is perceived acceptance or rejection by an intimate partner in adulthood associated with the same form of psychological adjustment or maladjustment that perceived parental acceptance-rejection is known to be in childhood? (b) To what extent do remembrances of maternal or paternal acceptance in childhood mediate or influence in other ways the association between perceived partner acceptance and adults' psychological adjustment? (c) Do statistical relations found in these questions vary by culture, ethnicity, gender of parent, gender of offspring, or other contextual factors? Results of most studies reported here conclude that perceived partner acceptance and remembered parental (both maternal and paternal) acceptance in childhood correlate significantly with men's and women's psychological adjustment. However, gender differences also sometimes appears as significant and independent contributors to the psychological adjustment of men versus that of women.

Effect of couple illness perception congruence on psychological adjustment in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

To characterize similarities and differences in illness perceptions between women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their husbands, and examine whether illness perception congruence predicted wives' subsequent psychological adjustment. Women with RA and their husbands (N=190 couples) recruited from community and clinical settings completed mailed surveys at baseline and 4-month follow-up. Data for this investigation included illness perceptions in partners and illness severity, marital variables, and psychological adjustment in wives. In general, wives and husbands had similar views of RA. Couple congruence concerning women's personal control over RA and its cyclic nature predicted better psychological adjustment in women 4 months later. Post hoc tests showed better psychological adjustment in wives from couples with similar optimistic beliefs about personal control, illness coherence, and RA consequences, when compared to those in couples with similar pessimistic beliefs. Furthermore, when partners disagreed about RA's consequences, wives fared better when husbands overestimated rather than underestimated their beliefs. In contrast, couple congruence about the emotions and timeline of RA was unrelated to adjustment. It may be important for husbands to understand wives' views on their control over RA and its cyclic nature. Furthermore, wives may benefit when they share optimistic views with their husbands about RA, and when their husbands avoid underestimating RA's consequences. Developing interventions to enhance partners' illness understanding may be beneficial.

The Role of Spirituality in Sustaining the Psychological Well-Being of HIV-Positive Black Women

ABSTRACT Historically, spirituality has been an instrumental component to the survival of Black women. In an era when the HIV epidemic disproportionately compromises their health, it is imperative to explore spirituality's role in sustaining the psychological health of Black women living with HIV. This study examined the relationship between spirituality and self-reported depression among Black women living with HIV. A sample of 308 HIV-positive Black women were recruited from HIV/ AIDS clinics in the Southeastern United States. Participants completed an interview assessing demographics, quality of life, depression, coping, and spirituality. A hierarchical multiple regression was used to determine the association between spirituality and depression. The results suggest that in our sample, spirituality accounted for a small, yet significant proportion of variance in reducing depressive symptoms, above and beyond variance accounted for by demographic variables and other theoretically important psychosocial factors. In light of these findings, future studies with HIV-positive Black women should assess spirituality as a salient factor affecting psychological health. Developing interventions that address spirituality may serve to enhance women's psychological adjustment to living with HIV.

Attribution of Blame, Self-forgiving Attitude and Psychological Adjustment in Women with Breast Cancer

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among self-blame for developing breast cancer, a self-forgiving attitude, mood, and quality of life among women with breast cancer. In this cross-sectional study, 123 women with Stages 0-III breast cancer completed questionnaires measuring demographic and medical characteristics, self-blame, self-forgiveness, mood, and quality of life. Women who blamed themselves reported more mood disturbance (p <or= .001) and poorer quality of life (p < .001) than those who did not blame themselves. Mediational analyses revealed that self-blame for cancer partially mediated the relationships between a self-forgiving attitude and both mood disturbance and quality of life (Z = -2.72, p = .006 and Z = -2.89, p = .004, respectively). Patients may benefit from a discussion with their oncologists and other healthcare providers about self-forgiveness and the potential benefits of reducing self-blame to facilitate adjustment to breast cancer.

Self-Forgiveness, Spirituality, and Psychological Adjustment in Women with Breast Cancer

We evaluated whether a self-forgiving attitude and spirituality were related to psychological adjustment among 81 women being treated for breast cancer at a medical oncology clinic in a county general hospital. Both a self-forgiving attitude and spirituality were unique predictors of less mood disturbance and better quality of life (p's < 0.001). These results are consistent with previous research that has demonstrated a positive relationship between spirituality and well-being. The findings also suggest that self-forgiveness should be explored experimentally to determine whether it can protect against the psychological effects of breast cancer-related stress. Interventions targeting these characteristics could improve the quality of life and alleviate stress, especially in women with breast cancer in public sector settings.

Psychological distress among healthy women with family histories of breast cancer: effects of recent life events

The experience of breast cancer in a close family member can be a major life stressor for many women as evidenced by various psychosocial and biological indicators. However, existing studies have found considerable variability in the levels of psychological distress among women with family histories of breast cancer (FHBC). Based on cognitive processing models, we examined moderating effects of recent life events on the impact of having a family member with breast cancer and psychological distress. Specifically, we hypothesized that negative recent life events would be associated with greater psychological distress and that positive recent life events would be associated with less psychological distress, and these patterns will be more prominent among women with FHBC than women without FHBC. Women with (FHBC+, N = 59) and women without (FHBC-, N = 94) FHBC completed measures of recent life events, cancer-specific distress (intrusion and avoidance) and general distress. Results indicated that among FHBC+ women, negative life events were associated with higher levels of breast cancer-specific intrusion and positive life events were associated with lower levels of breast cancer-specific avoidance. These results support the application of cognitive processing models for understanding variability in women's psychological adjustment to their FHBC. Psychological interventions designed to facilitate coping with negative life events and to increase the occurrence of positive events may be warranted.