Relationship Adjustment Research Articles

Attachment, Communication, and Relationship Functioning Among College Student Veterans and Nonveterans

This study examined attachment processes of college student veterans and nonveterans and further examined how veteran status and attachment style directly and indirectly predict relationship functioning. Results indicated that student veterans were more often dismissing in their attachment style but less often preoccupied than nonveteran students. Veteran status moderated the association between attachment style and dyadic consensus. The contributions of attachment and communication processes to overall relationship adjustment differed for student veterans and nonveterans.

Pressure to Attend Therapy, Dyadic Adjustment, and Adverse Childhood Experiences: Direct and Indirect Effects on the Therapeutic Alliance in Couples Therapy

In this study we examine the role that pressure to attend therapy, dyadic adjustment, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) play in developing the therapeutic alliance. A total of 351 couples received treatment as usual at three family therapy training clinics. Participants rated predictor variables at intake and alliance at the fourth session. Results of a path analysis indicate that each partner's dyadic adjustment is directly associated with the quality of her or his own alliance. In addition, when male partners report more ACEs and pressure to attend treatment, their own alliance scores decrease. Additionally, when one partner reports feeling pressure to attend therapy, the other partner's alliance decreases. Finally, for males, there is an indirect effect of dyadic adjustment on alliance through pressure to attend therapy. These results suggest that clinicians should routinely assess relationship adjustment, how pressured each partner is feeling to attend treatment, and ACEs; as these may impact alliance quality.

The Effectiveness of a ToM Training Program in Promoting Empathy Between Married Couples

Empathy plays a pivotal role in maintaining relationship adjustment between couples/romantic partners. As part of empathy, Theory of Mind (ToM) refers to the ability to ascribe independent mental states to self and others in order to explain and predict social behavior. Recent research in this area has shown that ToM activation is linked to physical and mental well-being and relationship continuity in intimate relationships. Studies also suggest that ToM training can improve the ability to mentally represent others’ mental states in nonclinical adults. The present study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of a ToM training program in improving empathy between married couples by using a quasi-experimental template. Sixteen couples (32 persons) visiting counseling centers in Rasht, Iran, for marital conflict were chosen and randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The couples in the experimental group received eight 90-minute sessions of ToM training on a weekly basis. Training effects were measured in terms of empathic concern and perspective-taking by using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for Couples. The results revealed the efficacy of the ToM training in improving empathy between married couples.

Interparental Relationships among Low Income, Ethnically Diverse, Two-Parent Cohabiting Families

The coparenting relationship has been conceptualized as a mechanism by which the broader interparental relationship affects child outcomes, but little is known about how aspects of fathers’ and mothers’ report of relationship quality (i.e., adjustment and conflict), are linked to coparenting quality within families experiencing economic strain or those of diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds. The present study used actor-partner interdependence models to investigate specific links between relationship quality and coparenting for 301 low-income, cohabiting couples. Parents’ own relationship quality was related to their report of coparenting, and for relationship adjustment, links were stronger for mothers than for fathers. Generally, economic strain was linked to parents’ broader relationship quality and not coparenting. Models tested within subgroups of Black, Hispanic, Interethnic, and White parents suggest that overall associations between relationship quality and coparenting are similar for families of varying racial or ethnic backgrounds. Findings suggest that existing theoretical coparenting work is relevant to parents of diverse, low-income backgrounds and bolster a growing body of work indicating that mothers’ report of coparenting is more closely tied to the broader couple relationship than is fathers’ report of coparenting.

Are Depressive Symptoms and Attachment Styles Associated with Observed and Perceived Partner Responsiveness in Couples Coping With Genito-Pelvic Pain ?

Partner responsiveness is thought to facilitate relationship adjustment in couples coping with genito-pelvic pain, such as provoked vestibulodynia (PVD). Recent studies suggest that attachment and depressive symptoms may act as a filter in the perception of partner responsiveness, and a barrier to the capacity of being responsive to a partner. Given studies suggesting higher depressive symptoms and relationship insecurities in women experiencing genito-pelvic pain compared to controls, investigating the role of these factors in partner responsiveness may help couples improve their wellbeing in the challenging context of PVD. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between depressive symptoms, attachment, and perceived and observed partner responsiveness in 50 couples coping with PVD. Participants took part in a videotaped discussion and completed self-report measures of depressive symptoms, attachment, and perceived partner responsiveness. Based on the actor-partner interdependence model, results indicated that when women and partners reported greater depressive symptoms and anxious attachment, they perceived each other as being less responsive. When partners experienced greater depressive symptoms, women and partners were rated, by a trained observer, as being less responsive to each other. Targeting depressive symptoms and relationship insecurity in couple therapy could increase responsiveness in couples coping with PVD.

When One Sibling has Autism: Adjustment and Sibling Relationship

The presence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in one sibling can impact typically developing (TD) siblings’ adjustment and quality of the sibling relationship. The present study examined the impact of sibling characteristics on both the sibling relationship and adjustment in TD siblings using self, parent, and clinician reports. Fifty-two TD siblings and parents completed questionnaires about TD sibling adjustment and sibling relationship quality. Greater behavior difficulties in siblings with ASD related to poorer TD sibling adjustment and quality of the sibling relationship. A more positive TD sibling perception of the sibling relationship was associated with greater TD sibling coping and support. Findings are discussed in terms of how these risk factors can inform interventions.

Postpartum Role Satisfaction in Couples: Associations With Individual and Relationship Well-Being

Although the postpartum period is typically considered a joyful time for new parents, this period calls for a reprioritization of daily responsibilities and tasks which may not necessarily align with the egalitarian split many couples envision. Dissatisfaction in this new role may negatively affect individual and couple well-being. This study examined the association between role satisfaction and postpartum distress symptoms or relationship adjustment from 73 opposite-sex couples 4- to 12-week postpartum. Both women and men reported a desire that men be more involved in household, child care, and family decision-making tasks. Actor–partner interdependence models examined the within-individual and cross-partner associations between role satisfaction and individual or couple well-being. As hypothesized, women’s role satisfaction positively predicted both partners’ relationship adjustment. These findings shed light on women’s role satisfaction as a potentially important factor underlying couple’s well-being postpartum.

Couples Dealing With Pediatric Blood Cancer: A Study on the Role of Dyadic Coping.

Objective: Pediatric cancer is a life-threatening disease that poses significant challenges to the ill child and his/her parents. Among the studies investigating risk and protective factors for the individual and relationship adjustment of parents being confronted with pediatric cancer, couple factors – such as dyadic coping – gained little research attention. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to explore the association between dyadic coping and individual/relationship outcomes of parents in the context of pediatric cancer.Methods: Participants were 59 couples of children diagnosed with leukemia or Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Time since diagnosis varied from diagnosis to 20 months. Both parents completed the DCI-short, DASS21, PIP, and MMQ.Results: Positive dyadic coping (i.e., supportive and common dyadic coping) and negative dyadic coping proved to be related to individual and relational outcomes of parents facing cancer in their child. In addition, while men and women reported to be equally satisfied with their partner and their sexual relationship, women reported higher levels of individual maladjustment.Conclusion: Our findings led to the conclusion that dyadic coping is important for both individual as well as relationship outcomes of parents when facing a diagnosis of cancer in their child. When meeting with families, both partners should be invited as a unit in order to best capture couple level experiences. Also, clinicians should be sensitive to relational and sexual issues besides individual issues, taking into account evidence-based standards for psychosocial care in pediatric oncology.

Problems, goals and solutions reported by cancer patients participating in group problem-solving therapy.

The purpose of the present study was to categorize and develop lists of contents of problems, goals, solution plans generated through the brainstorming work in therapy, and selected solutions for execution, that treated in problem-solving therapy (PST) for cancer patients in clinical settings, and to describe their characteristics. Additionally, examining the associations of problem domains with characteristics of participants, was also aimed. We conducted content analysis using records of thirty-one cancer patients (M = 62.6 years old; SD = 10.5) who participated in PST program. Problems were categorized into four domains (e.g. psychological and existential problems; physical problems; social relations; social living environment). Participants under treatment at baseline reported psychological and existential problems most often (P < 0.05). Goals were categorized into four domains (e.g. improving mental health; improving physical functions; improving social relations and improving one's social living environment). Solution plans generated through the brainstorming work in therapy were categorized into four domains (e.g. emotion regulation/cognitive adjustment; health behaviors; adjustment of social relationships and adjusting one's social living environment). Selected solutions for execution were categorized into four domains (e.g. emotion regulation/cognitive adjustment; health behaviors; adjustment of social relationships and adjusting one's social living environment). We found that various problems, goals and solutions were treated in PST of realistic clinical setting. Creating lists based on our study and making use of it for the materials as aids while implementing the PST or being shared with patients and medical staff would be expected.

청소년의 가족여가활동이 가족관계 및 학교생활적응에 미치는 영향

본 연구는 가족여가활동의 유형 및 빈도와 가족관계 만족과 학교생활적응과의 관련성과 이에 미치는 영향을 살펴보고, 가족여가활동이 가족관계 만족도를 높이고 청소년들이 직면한 여러 가지 갈등상황을 해결해 학교생활적응을 잘 하여 학교생활과 가정생활의 삶의 질 향상을 목적으로 한다. 설정된 연구문제를 분석하기 위하여 빈도와 백분율, 교차분석, t검증과 일원변량분석, 상관분석과 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 본 연구결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 학생의 성별과 학년, 부모의 연령, 학력, 직업에 따른 가족여가유형에는 통계적으로 유의미한 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 학생의 학년에 따라서 가족여가활동 빈도에 통계적으로 유의미한 차이가 나타났다. 반면 학생의 성별, 부모의 연령, 학력, 직업에 따른 가족여가활동의 빈도는 통계적으로 유의미한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 셋째, 가족여가활동 빈도와 가족관계 만족 및 학교생활적응의 하위 변인들과 정적 또는 부적 상관이 있는 것으로 나타났다. 넷째, 가족여가 활동의 빈도는 가족관계에 β값 .58의 유의한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 따라서 가족여가활동의 빈도는 청소년의 가족관계 만족도를 높이는 요인으로 작용한다고 볼 수 있다. 다섯째, 가족여가활동의 빈도는 담임선생님과의 관계, 교우관계, 학습활동, 학교규칙준수, 학교행사관계 등을 포함하는 학교생활적응도를 높이는 요인으로 작용하는 것으로 밝혀졌다.

Preliminary development of a neuroimaging paradigm to examine neural correlates of relationship conflict

Social stress in the form of conflict between romantic partners is a salient correlate of substance use disorders (SUD), and also plays an integral role in SUD treatment outcomes. Neuroimaging has advanced the study of social stress on SUD etiology, course, and treatment. However, no neuroimaging paradigms have yet been developed to examine neural responses to conflict among romantic couples. In order to fill this gap in the literature, the goal of this exploratory study was to examine the preliminary feasibility of a novel relationship conflict fMRI paradigm. We compared the effects of an auditory relationship conflict versus a neutral cue on functional connectivity in corticolimbic brain regions, and the associations between neural activities and self-report ratings of relationship adjustment, substance use problems, and intimate partner violence. We also explored sex differences in neural correlates of relationship conflict versus neutral cues. Participants demonstrated increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex during the relationship conflict cue compared to the neutral cue. Intimate partner violence was associated with functional connectivity. Sex differences emerged in neural responses to the relationship conflict cue compared to the neutral cue. Collectively, the findings demonstrate preliminary validity of this novel neuroimaging paradigm for couples.

Estimation of hydraulic parameters using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and empirical laws in a semi‐confined aquifer

ABSTRACTThe estimation of hydraulic parameters is critical for the rational use of water resources and the development of reliable hydrogeological models. However, the cost of such estimation can be very high and the data are limited to the area near the pumping well. For this reason, complementary methods for estimating hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity have become increasingly important in recent years, such as the adjustment of empirical relationships between geoelectrical and hydraulic parameters. In this paper, two linear relationships were tested, combining resistivity measurements from well logging profiles and hydraulic conductivity values from pumping test data, in a semi‐confined fluvial aquifer in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Furthermore, these relationships were used to obtain two‐dimensional (2D) hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity sections from electrical resistivity tomography using a high‐definition electrode array. Predicted values were compared with traditional pumping test in a near well showing very good agreement with both methods. Results showed that it would be possible to quantify the 2D variation of hydraulic parameters in aquifers and to identify high‐ or low‐productivity areas. By knowing this information in advance, it is possible to reduce the number of failures or unexpected results when drilling a well. These 2D sections also provide additional information about hydraulic parameters and their lateral variability, and can improve hydrogeological models without drilling new wells.

Energy–water nexus under energy mix scenarios using input–output and ecological network analyses

Increasing demand for energy, an evolving electricity-generation mix, and water demand from competing sectors have important implications for water budgets and energy planning. To evaluate the water-related impacts of energy-related decisions, we built a national energy–water nexus scenario analysis assessment framework by extending input–output analysis (IOA) to future energy mix scenarios of China. The scenarios for China out to 2050 include four low-carbon-development scenarios that are planned in climate change mitigation roadmaps and one baseline scenario. Sectoral direct energy, direct water, water-related energy, and energy-related water consumption were inventoried. Sectoral embodied consumption of water and energy and their inter-sector flows were mapped using IOA to create energy–water nexus networks. A sectoral nexus was defined to investigate the impact of the energy–water linkage on energy and water systems. Sectoral control and dependence relationships were revealed by ecological network analysis. Results showed that nexus impact on the water system was larger than that on the energy system. The main export and import pairs—Chemical industry–Agriculture (Ag), Manufacturing–Ag, Ag–Metal smelting and pressing (Me), and Me–Electricity (El)—should be critical pathways for nexus management via the adjustment of sectoral economic relationships. The sectors with a high nexus impact—Ag, El, and Me—should decrease their energy and water consumption to achieve outsized system-wide savings. Sectors with a low nexus impact—such as domestic services; transport, storage and post services; and water production and supply—can increase their energy and water consumption with a lesser impact on the wider system. The low-carbon-development scenario exhibited the lowest nexus impact, followed by the enhanced low-carbon scenario, whose energy mix also exerted the lowest pressure on the water system. By analyzing the tradeoffs between energy, water, and carbon emissions under five scenarios, this study provides insights for nexus management on how to balance water shortage issues and the development of energy generation in future energy and water resource planning.

Links Between Communication and Relationship Satisfaction Among Patients With Cancer and Their Spouses: Results of a Fourteen-Day Smartphone-Based Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.

Cancer treatment poses significant challenges not just for those diagnosed with the disease but also for their intimate partners. Evidence suggests that couples' communication plays a major role in the adjustment of both individuals and in the quality of their relationship. Most descriptive studies linking communication to adjustment have relied on traditional questionnaire methodologies and cross-sectional designs, limiting external validity and discernment of temporal patterns. Using the systemic-transactional model of dyadic coping as a framework, we examined intra- and inter-personal associations between communication (both enacted and perceived) and relationship satisfaction (RS) among patients with stage II–IV breast or colorectal cancer and their spouses (N = 107 couples). Participants (mean age = 51, 64.5% female patients, and 37.4% female spouses) independently completed twice-daily ecological momentary assessments (EMA) via smartphone for 14 consecutive days. Items assessed RS and communication (expression of feelings, holding back from expression, support and criticism of partner, and parallel ratings of partner behavior). Linear mixed models employing an Actor Partner Interdependence Model were used to examine concurrent, time-lagged, and cross-lagged associations between communication and RS. Expressing one's feelings was unassociated with RS. Holding back from doing so, in contrast, was associated with lower RS for both patients and spouses in concurrent models. These effects were both intrapersonal and interpersonal, meaning that when individuals held back from expressing their feelings, they reported lower RS and so too did their partner. Giving and receiving support were associated with one's own higher RS for both patients and spouses in concurrent models, and for patients in lagged models. Conversely, criticizing one's partner and feeling criticized were maladaptive, associated with lower RS (own and in some cases, partner's). Cross-lagged analyses (evening RS to next-day afternoon communication) yielded virtually no effects, suggesting that communication may have a stronger influence on short-term RS than the reverse. Findings underscore the importance of responsive communication, more so than expression per se, in explaining both concurrent and later relationship adjustment. In addition, a focus on holding back from expressing feelings may enhance the understanding of RS for couples coping with cancer.

Type D personality and social relations in adults with diabetes: results from diabetes MILES – The Netherlands

Objective: To examine whether individual differences in Type D personality (combination of negative affectivity (NA) and social inhibition (SI)) could explain heterogeneity in perceived social support and relationship adjustment (intimate partner relationship) among people living with diabetes.Design: In the Diabetes MILES—The Netherlands survey, 621 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (54% female, age: 56 ± 14 years) completed measures of Type D personality (DS14), perceived social support and relationship adjustment. We used established DS14 cut-off scores to indicate Type D personality, high NA only, high SI only and reference groups.Results: Participants from the Type D and NA only groups perceived lower levels of social support (Welch[3,259] = 37.27, p < 0.001), and relationship adjustment (Welch[3,191] = 14.74; p < 0.01) than those from the SI only and reference groups. Type D was associated with lower social support (lowest quartile; adjusted OR = 8.73; 95%CI = 5.05 ∼ 15.09; p < 0.001) and lower relationship adjustment (lowest quartile; adjusted OR = 3.70; 95%CI = 2.10 ∼ 6.53; p < 0.001). Type D was also associated with increased levels of loneliness.Conclusion: Participants with Type D and participants with high NA only tend to experience less social support and less relationship adjustment. Type D personality was also associated with more loneliness. Experiencing lower social support and relationship adjustment may complicate coping and self-management in people with diabetes.

Social structure, sexual dimorphism and relative growth in the ghost shrimp Callichirus seilacheri (Bott, 1955) (Decapoda, Axiidea, Callianassidae) from the tropical eastern Pacific

ABSTRACTWe analyzed the social structure, sexual dimorphism and relative growth in the burrowing shrimp Callichirus seilacheri from the tropical eastern Pacific. To this end, 456 individuals of C. seilacheri were collected during monthly sampling from December 2011 to November 2012. No shrimp pairs or burrows inhabited by more than one shrimp were detected during the study period. Males were significantly smaller than females, denoting sexual dimorphism with respect to body size. In many juvenile males and females, the size of the right and left claws was the same, whereas in others the largest cheliped was located on the right or left side. Analysis of allometric growth between cheliped carpus length and cephalothorax length revealed an isometric relationship in juveniles of both sexes and adult females and positive allometric growth in adult males. The adjustment of the above relationship by the Somerton's method, denoted the existence of two main phases of growth related to sexual maturity, with transition points between juvenile and adult phase at 12.3 mm and 12.0 mm of body size for males and females, respectively. The observations on social structure, sexual dimorphism and relative growth of C. seilacheri argued that this species is polygamous. Furthermore, the high frequency of solitary females found brooding embryos suggested that males might roam among galleries in search of receptive females.

The Effects of a Interpersonal Relationship Improvement Program based on Attachment Theories on Attachment, Interpersonal Relationship and College Adjustment of College Students

The Effects of a Interpersonal Relationship Improvement Program based on Attachment Theories on Attachment, Interpersonal Relationship and College Adjustment of College Students

Attachment Insecurities and Marital Satisfaction

This study identifies the relationship between attachment insecurities; Attachment Avoidance and Attachment Anxiety, and Marital Satisfaction; Dyadic Cohesion, Dyadic Satisfaction, Dyadic Consensus, and Dyadic Affectional Expression among married couples. A correlational research design was adopted in this study to address the objectives of the research. Seventy respondents among married couples in West Peninsular of Malaysia were selected to participate in this research. Two sets of questionnaires were developed and reviewed by two expert panels before piloting and distributing to the participants. The structure and content of the questionnaires were specific to main two areas; Experience in Close Relationship (ECR) and Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS). The data was collected and analysed using SPSS descriptive statistic and Pearson correlation. The findings indicated that there was a significant relationship between attachment insecurities and marital satisfaction. Furthermore, it is recommended based on the results that community counsellors’ conduct group counselling sessions to facilitate married couples’ understanding of attachment insecurities which will help to enhance the satisfaction in their marital relationships. It is also recommended based on the work performed, limitations and findings in this study that further research is conducted to conduct a similar research program, with a broader and more substantial population size covering multiple communities, again with a specific focus on married couples and to improve their marital satisfaction with their relationships.

Diachronic adjustments of functional traits scaling relationships to track environmental changes: revisiting Cistus species leaf cohort classification

Leaf functional traits and their relationships can differ between leaf flushes, particularly for species characterized by an extended growing season such as Mediterranean ones. Among them, Cistus spp. are generally reported to display two different leaf cohorts (i.e. summer and winter leaves) during the same growing season. We tested the generality of such leaf cohort classification by analyzing the diachronic adjustments of relationships between different leaf functional traits in 3 Cistus spp. Traits included were: leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf thickness (LT), leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and net photosynthesis on a mass basis (Am). The slopes of the relationships between morphological traits were then regressed against climate variables. The slopes were also regressed against leaf production rate (LPR) and the scores of the positioning as Competitors (%C), Stress tolerators (%S) and Ruderals (%R) in the tertiary CSR scheme.The different leaf flushes reshaped the well-known trait covariation patterns thus reflecting shifts in leaf-level resource-acquisition and -use strategies. This was achieved through an opposite response of the relationships LMA–LT and LMA–LDMC to temperature changes. In fact, the relationship LMA–LT was better modulated in leaves produced at different temperatures, while the LMA–LDMC one was possibly constrained due to the tighter negative relationship LDMC–Am (i.e. higher costs in terms of carbon assimilation). Accordingly, changes in LMA–LDMC coordination were significantly related to %C.Our results provide an evidence that while Cistus spp. leaf cohort classification generally holds, it does not necessarily capture the entire seasonal spectrum of traits covariation. We propose to move forward from the generally accepted winter–summer leaf classification shown in literature providing a new framework that can better describe Cistus species potential response to environmental changes.

Longitudinal psychosocial adjustment of women to human papillomavirus infection

The aim of this study was to examine the psychosocial adjustment trajectory, focusing on psychological distress, sexual relationships and healthcare information, and factors which have an impact on adjustment on receiving a positive diagnosis of human papillomavirus infection. Human papillomavirus is a common sexually transmitted infection in females. To date, knowledge of the longitudinal psychosocial response to the diagnosis of human papillomavirus is limited. A prospective longitudinal design was conducted with a convenience sample. Women aged 20-65years old were followed at one, 6 and 12months after a diagnosis of HPV. Participants completed measures of initial emotional distress and followed up psychosocial adjustment. A mixed-effects model was applied to analyse the longitudinal changes in psychosocial adjustment. Seventy human papillomavirus positive women participated in the study with nearly 20% of the women reporting emotional distress during their first visit. Mixed-effects model analyses showed that a trajectory of psychosocial adjustment in healthcare orientation, sexual relationship and psychosocial distress occur from one to 6months after HPV diagnosis. However, a declining trend from 6 to 12months was significant in healthcare orientation. Initial emotional distress was associated with changes in psychological adjustment. Psychosocial adjustment to human papillomavirus was worse at 1month compared with 6 and 12months after diagnosis. Healthcare providers should offer health information and psychosocial support to women according to their disease progression.