Partner Relationship Quality Research Articles

Factors associated with father-to-infant attachment at 6 months postpartum: a community-based study in Victoria, Australia

Objective: To identify factors associated with father-to-infant attachment at 6 months postpartum.Background: Poor father-to-infant attachment can lead to developmental problems in infants. Some studies suggest that poor paternal mental health may be negatively associated with father-to-infant attachment, but there is currently little evidence about other potential risk factors for poor father-to-infant attachment, such as aspects of the intimate partner relationship and infant characteristics.Methods: A community sample of couples with a first infant was recruited from diverse Local Government Areas. Men completed two telephone interviews, at 4 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Father-to-infant attachment was assessed using the Parental Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ). Other standardised instruments included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to assess symptoms of depression and anxiety and the Intimate Bonds Measure (IBM) to assess quality of the intimate partner relationship. The outcome measure was Parental Attachment Questionnaire (PAQ) total score. Structural equation modelling was used to identify factors associated with lower PAQ scores.Results: Total PAQ scores were provided by 270 men. Poorer quality father-to-infant attachment was significantly associated with personality traits like oversensitivity (p = 0.03), more symptoms of depression and anxiety (p = 0.02), poorer quality partner relationship (p = 0.01) and more frequent partner criticism of infant care (p = 0.01).Conclusion: Fathers should be included in routine postnatal care. Critical behaviour by the partner is a potentially modifiable risk factor for poor father-to-infant attachment. Perinatal primary care health services programmes should focus on building parents’ skills to provide sensitive, affirming care for each other and for the infant.

614: Romantic partner relationship quality and maternal inflammation during pregnancy

614: Romantic partner relationship quality and maternal inflammation during pregnancy

Sources of stress as predictors of partner relationship quality

Sources of stress as predictors of partner relationship quality

Family process: Early child emotionality, parenting stress, and couple relationship quality

AbstractGuided by family systems theory, we used couple data (N = 1,778) from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to examine the link between perceived infant negative emotionality, parenting stress, and couple relationship quality when the child was 1, 3, and 5 years. Using a latent actor–partner interdependence model, we tested dyadic direct and indirect effects for married and cohabiting couples. Parents who reported higher levels of perceived infant negative emotionality at age 1 had higher parenting stress at age 3. Mothers' and fathers' parenting stress at age 3 predicted lower levels of their own couple relationship quality and their partner's relationship quality at age 5. Parenting stress mediated the relation between perceived infant emotionality and couple relationship quality.

Do monkeys compare themselves to others?

Social comparisons are a fundamental characteristic of human behaviour, yet relatively little is known about their evolutionary foundations. Adapting the co-acting paradigm from human research (Seta in J Pers Soc Psychol 42:281–291, 1982. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.42.2.281), we examined how the performance of a partner influenced subjects’ performance in long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Using parallel testing in touch screen setups in which subjects had to discriminate familiar and novel photographs of men and women, we investigated whether accuracy and reaction time were influenced by partner performance and relationship quality (affiliate vs. non-affiliate). Auditory feedback about the alleged performance of the co-actor was provided via playback; partner performance was either moderately or extremely better or worse than subject performance. We predicted that subjects would assimilate to moderately different comparison standards as well as to affiliates and contrast away from extreme standards and non-affiliates. Subjects instantly generalized to novel pictures. While accuracy was not affected by any of the factors, long reaction times occurred more frequently when subjects were tested with a non-affiliate who was performing worse, compared to one who was doing better than them (80 % quantile worse: 5.1, better: 4.3 s). For affiliate co-actors, there was no marked effect (worse: 4.4, better: 4.6 s). In a control condition with no auditory feedback, subjects performed somewhat better in the presence of affiliates (M = 77.8 % correct) compared to non-affiliates (M = 71.1 %), while reaction time was not affected. Apparently, subjects were sensitive to partner identity and performance, yet variation in motivation rather than assimilation and contrast effects may account for the observed effects.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10071-015-0943-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

When Is Helping your Partner with Chronic Pain a Burden? The Relation Between Helping Motivation and Personal and Relational Functioning.

Self-determination theory (SDT) may be a useful framework to understand why chronic pain affects partners. SDT postulates that individuals can engage in helping behaviors for different motives varying from more autonomous or volitional motives to more controlled or pressured motives. This article examines the relationship between partners' type of motivation to help (i.e., autonomous vs controlled) and their personal and relational functioning. Furthermore, mechanisms underlying this relationship (i.e., helping exhaustion and relationship-based need satisfaction) were examined. In a sample of 48 couples, of which one partner had chronic pain (36 female patients), questionnaires measuring life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, anxiety and depressive feelings, relationship quality and relationship-based need satisfaction were filled out. Individuals with chronic pain (ICPs) also reported on pain intensity and disability whereas partners were requested to report on motives for helping and helping exhaustion. Data analysis with Structural Equation Modeling revealed that autonomous, relative to controlled, motives for helping among partners related positively to partners' well-being and relationship quality, and negatively to distress. The experience of helping exhaustion and relationship-based need satisfaction mediated these associations. Moreover, partners' autonomous helping motivation related positively to patient-reported relationship quality among ICPs high in pain intensity. Applying SDT in a context of pain provides new insights into why chronic pain affects partners and how partners impact patient outcome. Directions for future research are outlined.

A longitudinal study of interpersonal relationships among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents and young adults: mediational pathways from attachment to romantic relationship quality.

The current study examined the potential for mental health to mediate associations between earlier attachment to parents and peers and later relationship adjustment during adolescence and young adulthood in a sample of sexual minority youth. Secondarily, the study examined associations between peer and parental attachment and relationship/dating milestones. Participants included 219 lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth who participated in six waves of data collection over 3.5years. Parental attachment was associated with an older age of dating initiation, while peer attachment was associated with longer relationship length. Both peer and parental attachment were significantly associated with mental health in later adolescence and young adulthood. Mental health mediated the association between peer attachment and main partner relationship quality. While the total indirect effect of parental attachment on main partner relationship quality was statistically significant, specific indirect effects were not. Implications for the application of attachment theory and integration of interpersonal factors into mental health intervention with sexual minority youth are discussed.

The early childhood sexual experiences and collusion in adult partner relationship.

The aim of the present research was verification of the hypothesis for the influence of negative sexual experiences in sexual development on the quality of partner relationships in the adult life. Special attention was given to the influence exercised by the level of erotization in the environment of the family of origin and to the experience of child sexual abuse. The quality of partner relationships was recognized using Jurg Willi's concept through the analysis of intensity of dysfunctions (collusions) in those relationships. The study was conducted on a population of 170 adults in partnerships. The surveyed group filled in the Questionnaire on Models of Sexual Upbringing in Families, the Couples Collusion Questionnaire and the Questionnaire on Sexual Abuse of Children. Positive interrelation has been confirmed between the level of erotization in the family of origin and the oral, anal and oedipal partner collusion in the procreative relationships of individuals. Such link has not been confirmed for narcissistic collusion. The interrelation between the sexually abusive experiences and the partner collusion has only been confirmed in masculine group within the oral collusion and the anal collusion. The findings largely support the assumption that there is a connection between the character of sexual experiences in childhood and functioning in adult partnership.

Grief Intensity, Psychological Well‐Being, and the Intimate Partner Relationship in the Subsequent Pregnancy after a Perinatal Loss

To examine the construct validity of the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale (PGIS) and the associations of grief intensity with psychological well-being and the quality of intimate partner relationships of women in the subsequent pregnancy after perinatal loss. The consequences of intense grief due to perinatal loss may include significant couple relationship issues, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress that may extend into the subsequent healthy pregnancy. A correlational, descriptive research design was used to collect survey data in this cross-sectional, web-based study. Participants were 227 currently pregnant women who experienced perinatal loss in their immediate past pregnancies. Instruments included the Pregnancy Outcome Questionnaire (pregnancy-specific anxiety), Impact of Event Scale (post-traumatic stress), Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (depression symptoms), the Autonomy and Relatedness Inventory (quality of the intimate partner relationship), and the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale (perinatal grief intensity). As hypothesized, greater grief intensity was associated with higher pregnancy-specific anxiety, depression symptoms, and post-traumatic stress as well as poorer quality of the intimate partner relationship. Support for the construct validity of the PGIS was demonstrated by its significant associations in the expected directions with pregnancy-specific anxiety, depression symptoms, post-traumatic stress, and the quality of the intimate partner relationship. The scale may be useful to health care providers in identifying mothers in need of follow-up for intense grief and other clinically relevant symptoms after perinatal loss.

Sexual functioning in women after surgical treatment for endometrial cancer: a prospective controlled study.

Endometrial cancer (EC) can affect sexual functioning based on anatomical, physiological, psychological, and relational mechanisms. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate sexual adjustment of women with EC during a follow-up period of 2 years after surgical treatment and to compare the results with women who underwent a hysterectomy for a benign gynecological condition and healthy control women. In this prospective controlled study, participants completed the Short Sexual Functioning Scale, Specific Sexual Problems Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory Scale, World Health Organization-5 Well-being Scale, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale to assess various aspects of sexual and psychosocial functioning before undergoing a hysterectomy and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Eighty-four women with EC, 84 women with a benign gynecological condition, and 84 healthy controls completed the survey. In EC survivors, no differences were found in sexual functioning during prospective analyses. In comparison with women with a benign gynecological condition, significantly more EC patients reported entry dyspareunia 1 year after surgical treatment. Moreover, compared with healthy women, pre- and postoperatively, significantly more EC patients reported sexual dysfunctions, including sexual desire dysfunction, arousal dysfunction, entry dyspareunia, and a reduced intensity of orgasm. Furthermore, compared with healthy controls, EC patients reported significantly lower overall well-being 1 year after surgical treatment. Nevertheless, consensus in the partner relationship was significantly higher in EC patients compared with healthy controls. Moreover, before treatment, quality of partner relationship was negatively associated with sexual arousal dysfunction and orgasm dysfunction. In EC patients, no differences were found in sexual functioning when prospectively comparing the situation before surgery with the situation after surgery. However, when compared with healthy controls, EC patients are at high risk for sexual dysfunctions, both before and after surgical treatment.

First- and second-time parents’ couple relationship: from pregnancy to second year postpartum

First- and second-time parents’ couple relationships were studied from early pregnancy to the second year postpartum. The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ) was administered to Portuguese couples (N = 82), first- or second-time parents, at the first, second and third pregnancy trimester, childbirth, 3 and 18 months postpartum. Adverse changes in positive and negative partner relationship dimensions were reported from early pregnancy to the second year postpartum by all participants; in the same way by mothers and fathers and by first- and second-time parents. Second-time parents reported a worse couple relationship (lower RQ-positive scores) than first-time parents, but only during pregnancy. Results from the present study suggest a decline in partner relationship quality during the transition to parenthood both in mothers and fathers, as well as in first- and second-time parents.

The Impact of Mothers’ Relationship Quality and Parenting on Children’s Peer Relationships

This study examined the longitudinal effects of mothers’ partner relationship quality on parenting behaviors and school-age children’s peer relationships. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development archival data were used to examine parenting behaviors as a mediator between partner relationship quality and child peer outcomes using structural equation modeling. Maternal report was used to assess partner quality; a parent–child interaction task was used to measure parenting behaviors; teacher and child report were used to assess children’s peer relationships. Maternal parenting behaviors partially mediated the association between partner quality and children’s teacher-reported social–emotional outcomes with peers. Results are discussed in terms of the spillover hypothesis and implications for clinical interventions are discussed.

Emotional Regulation and Revictimization in Women's Intimate Relationships.

The aim of the current study was to test whether women's emotional regulation (ER) capacity moderates the relationship between childhood abuse and both adult intimate partner violence (IPV) and relationship quality. Female graduate students (N = 425), either married or in a long-term cohabitation, participated in an Internet-based survey. Structural equation model (SEM) multiple-group analysis was conducted to estimate whether the link between childhood abuse and marital outcomes varied across high and low levels of ER. The data showed that childhood abuse was associated with higher levels of IPV and lower marital quality. A high level of ER was found to buffer the association between child abuse and IPV. Among women with a low level of ER, childhood abuse had a stronger negative effect on relationship quality than for women with a high level of ER. ER is a protective factor against revictimization in intimate relationships.

Long-term sexual functioning in women after surgical treatment of cervical cancer stages IA to IB: a prospective controlled study.

Women with cervical cancer (CC) may be faced with changes in sexual functioning resulting from the cancer itself and/or its surgical treatment. The aims of this study were to prospectively investigate sexual adjustment of CC patients during a follow-up period of 2 years after radical hysterectomy without adjuvant treatment and to compare the results with women who underwent a hysterectomy for a benign gynecological condition and with healthy control women. In this prospective controlled study, participants completed the Short Sexual Functioning Scale, Specific Sexual Problems Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory Scale, World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Scale, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale to assess various aspects of sexual and psychosocial functioning at certain time intervals, namely, before surgery and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgical treatment. Thirty-one women with CC, 93 women with a benign gynecological condition, and 93 healthy controls completed the survey. In CC survivors, no differences were found in sexual functioning during prospective analyses and in comparison with women with a benign gynecological condition. However, compared with healthy women, preoperatively and postoperatively, significantly more CC patients reported sexual dysfunctions, including sexual arousal dysfunction, entry dyspareunia, deep dyspareunia, abdominal pain during intercourse, and reduced intensity of the orgasm. Furthermore, compared with healthy controls, CC patients reported worse psychological functioning before surgery and at 6 months after surgery. Finally, before surgery, quality of partner relationship was rated significantly better by CC patients compared with healthy controls; however, quality of the partner relationship declined during the first year of follow-up compared with the situation before surgery. In CC patients, no differences were found in sexual functioning when prospectively comparing the situation before and after surgery. However, when compared with healthy controls, CC patients are at high risk for sexual dysfunctions, both before and after surgical treatment.

Combining Formal and Informal Caregiving Roles: The Psychosocial Implications of Double- and Triple-Duty Care.

Women who combine formal and informal caregiving roles represent a unique, understudied population. In the literature, healthcare employees who simultaneously provide unpaid elder care at home have been referred to as double-duty caregivers. The present study broadens this perspective by examining the psychosocial implications of double-duty child care (child care only), double-duty elder care (elder care only), and triple-duty care (both child care and elder care or "sandwiched" care). Drawing from the Work, Family, and Health Study, we focus on a large sample of women working in nursing homes in the United States (n = 1,399). We use multiple regression analysis and analysis of covariance tests to examine a range of psychosocial implications associated with double- and triple-duty care. Compared with nonfamily caregivers, double-duty child caregivers indicated greater family-to-work conflict and poorer partner relationship quality. Double-duty elder caregivers reported more family-to-work conflict, perceived stress, and psychological distress, whereas triple-duty caregivers indicated poorer psychosocial functioning overall. Relative to their counterparts without family caregiving roles, women with combined caregiving roles reported poorer psychosocial well-being. Additional research on women with combined caregiving roles, especially triple-duty caregivers, should be a priority amidst an aging population, older workforce, and growing number of working caregivers.

Gender minority stress, mental health, and relationship quality: a dyadic investigation of transgender women and their cisgender male partners.

Research has demonstrated associations between experiences of discrimination, relationship quality, and mental health. However, critical questions remain unanswered with regard to how stigma enacted and experienced at the dyadic-level influences relationship quality and mental health for transgender women and their cisgender (nontransgender) male partners. The present study sought to examine how experiences of transgender-related discrimination (i.e., unfair treatment, harassment) and relationship stigma (i.e., the real or anticipated fear of rejection based on one's romantic affiliation) were associated with both partners relationship quality and mental health. Couples (n = 191) were recruited to participate in cross-sectional survey. Dyadic analyses using actor-partner interdependence models were conducted to examine the influence of minority stressors on clinically significant depressive distress and relationship quality. For both partners, financial hardship, discrimination, and relationship stigma were associated with an increased odds of depressive distress. For both partners, financial hardship was associated with lower relationship quality. Among transgender women, their own and their partner's higher relationship stigma scores were associated with lower relationship quality; however, among male partners, only their partner's greater relationship stigma scores were associated with lower relationship quality. Findings provide preliminary support for dyadic crossover effects of relationship stigma on the health of partners. Findings illustrate the importance of minority stress and dyadic stress frameworks in understanding and intervening upon mental health disparities among transgender women and their male partners. Couples-based interventions and treatment approaches to help transgender women and their male partners cope with minority stressors are warranted to improve the health and well-being of both partners.

Continuing Psychometric Evaluation of the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale in the Subsequent Pregnancy After Perinatal Loss

Objective To examine the relation of grief intensity, psychological wellbeing, and the quality of intimate partner relationships of women in the subsequent pregnancy after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Design Descriptive, cross‐sectional, correlational research design. Based on the theoretical framework of perinatal grief intensity developed by the author, we examined the reliability and convergent validity of the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale (PGIS) in the subsequent pregnancy after a perinatal loss. Setting Web‐based study. Sample Currently pregnant women (N = 227) who had experienced a perinatal loss in their immediate past pregnancies. Analysis indicated the sample of 227 women who completed the instruments (48% of total) afforded sufficient power to test the hypotheses. Methods Instruments included the Pregnancy Outcome Questionnaire (POQ) for pregnancy‐specific anxiety; Impact of Event Scale (IES) for posttraumatic stress; Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression Scale (CES‐D) for depression symptoms; Autonomy and Relatedness Inventory (ARI) for quality of intimate primary relationship; and the PGIS for perinatal grief intensity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Cronbach's alphas for all total scales and subscales used in the study were high and ranged from .75 (PGIS total) to .95 (ARI total). Increased grief intensity was associated with significantly increased pregnancy‐specific anxiety; depression symptoms; posttraumatic stress; and poorer, primary, intimate relationships. Participants in all three groups (miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death) reported significantly higher mean CES‐D scores (range 25.2‐29.6, p < .001) than the traditional cutoff score of 16 used for suggesting depression symptoms. Similarly, all mean loss group scores were significantly higher than 23 (range 34.4‐35.5, p < .001), the IES cutoff score used to suggest posttraumatic stress. Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice The consequences associated with intense grieving may include significant couple relationship issues, depression, pregnancy‐specific anxiety, and posttraumatic stress that may also extend into the subsequent healthy pregnancy. The PGIS demonstrated total and subscale internal consistency reliability when used with all types of perinatal loss within the context of subsequent pregnancy. It demonstrated convergent validity by establishing statistically significant and appropriate directional relationships with concepts thought to be associated with intense grief, including pregnancy‐specific anxiety, depression symptoms, posttraumatic stress, and the quality of the primary intimate relationship. It may eventually be useful as a clinical instrument to help health care providers identify parents at risk for intense grief reactions and other clinically relevant symptoms. To examine the relation of grief intensity, psychological wellbeing, and the quality of intimate partner relationships of women in the subsequent pregnancy after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Descriptive, cross‐sectional, correlational research design. Based on the theoretical framework of perinatal grief intensity developed by the author, we examined the reliability and convergent validity of the Perinatal Grief Intensity Scale (PGIS) in the subsequent pregnancy after a perinatal loss. Web‐based study. Currently pregnant women (N = 227) who had experienced a perinatal loss in their immediate past pregnancies. Analysis indicated the sample of 227 women who completed the instruments (48% of total) afforded sufficient power to test the hypotheses. Instruments included the Pregnancy Outcome Questionnaire (POQ) for pregnancy‐specific anxiety; Impact of Event Scale (IES) for posttraumatic stress; Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression Scale (CES‐D) for depression symptoms; Autonomy and Relatedness Inventory (ARI) for quality of intimate primary relationship; and the PGIS for perinatal grief intensity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Cronbach's alphas for all total scales and subscales used in the study were high and ranged from .75 (PGIS total) to .95 (ARI total). Increased grief intensity was associated with significantly increased pregnancy‐specific anxiety; depression symptoms; posttraumatic stress; and poorer, primary, intimate relationships. Participants in all three groups (miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death) reported significantly higher mean CES‐D scores (range 25.2‐29.6, p < .001) than the traditional cutoff score of 16 used for suggesting depression symptoms. Similarly, all mean loss group scores were significantly higher than 23 (range 34.4‐35.5, p < .001), the IES cutoff score used to suggest posttraumatic stress. The consequences associated with intense grieving may include significant couple relationship issues, depression, pregnancy‐specific anxiety, and posttraumatic stress that may also extend into the subsequent healthy pregnancy. The PGIS demonstrated total and subscale internal consistency reliability when used with all types of perinatal loss within the context of subsequent pregnancy. It demonstrated convergent validity by establishing statistically significant and appropriate directional relationships with concepts thought to be associated with intense grief, including pregnancy‐specific anxiety, depression symptoms, posttraumatic stress, and the quality of the primary intimate relationship. It may eventually be useful as a clinical instrument to help health care providers identify parents at risk for intense grief reactions and other clinically relevant symptoms.

Feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of dignity therapy for family carers of people with motor neurone disease

BackgroundDignity therapy is a brief psychotherapy that has been shown to enhance the end of life experience. Dignity therapy often involves family carers to support patients weakened by illness and family carers are also the usual recipients of the legacy documents created. No research to date has examined the impact of dignity therapy on family carers at the time of the intervention. This study examined the effects of dignity therapy on family carers of people with motor neurone disease (MND).MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study utilizing a one-group pre-test post-test design with 18 family carers of people diagnosed with MND. Outcomes measured caregiver burden, anxiety, depression, and hopefulness. Acceptability was measured with a questionnaire. Feasibility was assessed by examining family carers’ involvement in the therapy sessions, time taken to conduct sessions, and any special accommodations or deviations from the dignity therapy protocol.ResultsThere were no significant pre-test post-test changes on the group level, but there were decreases in anxiety and depression on the individual level. Baseline measures indicate that 50% of family carers had moderate to severe scores for anxiety prior to dignity therapy. MND family carers saw benefits to the person with MND and to themselves after bereavement, but acceptability of dignity therapy at the time of the intervention was mixed with some family carers indicating it was helpful, some indicating it was harmful, and many expressing ambivalence. Dignity therapy involving MND family carers is feasible and the involvement of family carers has minimal impact on the therapy.ConclusionDignity therapy is not likely to alleviate caregiver burden in MND family carers, but it may have the ability to decrease or moderate anxiety and depression in distressed MND family carers. Dignity therapy is feasible and generally acceptable to MND family carers. Dignity therapists may provide a better experience for family carers when they are aware of acceptance levels and the quality of partner relationships.Trial registrationANZCTR Trial Number: ACTRN12611000410954

Validation of the Intimate Bonds Measure for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth in Vietnam

Sensitive, valid measures to assess the quality of the intimate partner relationship are necessary for both clinical practice and research. The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the Intimate Bonds Measure (IBM) in women who were pregnant or had recently given birth in Vietnam. The IBM was translated and culturally verified in a step-by-step process with Vietnamese health workers, researchers and community members. The validation study was nested within two larger community-based cross-sectional investigations: the first in 2006, which recruited 199 pregnant women and 165 mothers of newborns, and the second in 2010, which recruited 419 pregnant women. Internal structure was assessed by factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha and construct validity by comparison with relevant factors. Exploratory factor analyses revealed an identical factor structure to the one reported by the measure's developers in an Anglophone Australian population more than 20 years ago. The two factors replicate exactly the Care and Control subscales and Cronbach's alpha (from 0.68 to 0.83) indicates high internal consistency in both sub-scales. Mean scores of the Care-V and Control-V sub-scales were associated significantly and in expected directions with whether a woman could confide in, felt supported by or was frightened of her partner, or had experienced intimate partner violence and measures of mental health status. The Vietnamese version of the IBM (IBM-V) is comprehensible, meaningful and appears to be a valid measure the construct of quality of relationship with an intimate partner among women in this setting.

Psychologic, Relational, and Sexual Functioning in Women After Surgical Treatment of Vulvar Malignancy: A Prospective Controlled Study

Vulvectomy for vulvar malignancy can affect sexual functioning based on anatomic, physiologic, psychologic, and relational mechanisms. The aims of this study were to prospectively investigate sexual adjustment of women with vulvar malignancy during a follow-up period of 1 year after vulvectomy and to compare the results with healthy control women. In this prospective controlled study, participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory scale, World Health Organization-5 Well-being scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Short Sexual Functioning Scale, and Specific Sexual Problems Questionnaire to assess various aspects of psychosocial and sexual functioning just before surgery, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. Twenty-nine women with vulvar malignancy and 29 healthy controls completed the survey. Compared with the presurgery status, no significant differences were found in psychologic, relational, and sexual functioning in women after surgery for vulvar malignancy. Compared with healthy control women, women with vulvar malignancy reported significantly lower psychologic well-being and quality of partner relationship, both before and after treatment. Moreover, significantly more patients with vulvar malignancy reported preoperative and postoperatively sexual dysfunctions than healthy controls, including entry and deep dyspareunia, abdominal pain during intercourse, reduced ability to achieve orgasm, and reduced intensity of orgasm. This prospective study yielded no differences in psychosocial and sexual functioning for women with vulvar malignancy before and after vulvectomy. However, when compared with healthy controls, patients with vulvar malignancy are at high risk for sexual dysfunctions, both before and after surgical treatment.