Relationship Assessment Scale Research Articles

Modelo predictivo de conducta de infidelidad sexual entre personas casadas

La infidelidad marital es relativamente frecuente, a pesar de sus graves consecuencias. Este estudio tiene como objetivo contrastar un modelo predictivo de infidelidad sexual desde una perspectiva psicosocial. Se colectó una muestra de 790 personas casadas (53.4% mujeres y 47.6% hombres) por rutas al azar en Monterrey, México. Se aplicó la Escala de Valoración de la Relación, Índice de Satisfacción Sexual, Escala de Actitud hacia la Exclusividad Marital, Escalas de conducta infiel, Escala de Búsqueda de Sensaciones Sexuales y Escala de Engrandecimiento Marital. El contraste se hizo por análisis de sendero a través del método de mínimos cuadrados ponderados. Seis de cada 100 participantes están insatisfechos con su matrimonio, 13 de cada 100 están insatisfechos con las relaciones sexuales con su pareja y dos de cada diez ven más defectos que virtudes en sus parejas; asimismo, 83 de cada 100 reportan no incurrir en conductas de infidelidad sexual, 60 de cada 100 muestran total rechazo hacia la propia infidelidad sexual, 72 de cada 100 reportan muy bajo nivel de deseo de infidelidad sexual y 50 de cada 100 muy bajo nivel de búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales. El modelo con dos variables exógenas correlacionadas y cinco endógenas mostró una potencia explicativa muy alta y su ajuste a los datos fue bueno. Se concluye que la variable más crítica en el modelo es el deseo de infidelidad sexual, cuyo determinante más importante es la búsqueda de sensaciones sexuales. Esta variable de rasgo se especificó como una variable exógena, por lo que no es explicada. No obstante, puede ser modulada y modificada, ya que es un rasgo de personalidad. Precisamente, la idealización o el menosprecio hacia la pareja la modulan en el modelo. A su vez, el modelo remarca aspectos de insatisfacción marital y sexual.

Does insight lead to happiness through providing satisfaction in romantic relationships?

ABSTRACT Although most theories in psychology suggest that increased insight is associated with a happier life, research is rather limited as to how insight facilitates happiness. Because insight is believed to help individuals in different life areas, such as romantic relationships, it can be argued that it may facilitate happiness indirectly through relationship satisfaction. Therefore, the current study examines the mediating role of relationship satisfaction in the relationship between insight and happiness. The data was collected from 185 undergraduate students in committed relationships through the Insight Scale, the Relationship Assessment Scale and the Oxford Happiness Scale-Short Form. The results of the mediation analysis confirm that there is a significant relationship between insight and happiness and that relationship satisfaction partially mediates this relationship. These findings suggest that insight may lead to a happier life because of the instrumental role it may play in establishing and/or maintaining romantic relationships that are more satisfactory.

Development and Validation of the Family Relationship Assessment Scale in Korean College Students' Families.

The nature of family relationships is a critical measure for healthcare professionals who work with families. In particular, non-Western cultural groups display a higher level of collectivism that emphasizes relationships between family members. This paper reports the development and psychometric testing of a new scale, the Korean Family Relationship Assessment Scale (FRAS). Using DeVellis' Guidelines in Scale Development, a pool of 40 items was created after a review of the literature, followed by an assessment for content validity by six experts. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted with data from a sample of 217 Korean family triads (father, mother, and college-aged offspring) (N=651). The final evaluation yielded three factors with 15 items: family support, family conflict, and family togetherness. Since the FRAS demonstrated good internal consistency and validity, it would be able to facilitate research on the relationships between family support, conflict, togetherness, and health. Applying this new instrument in theory-based research may contribute to knowledge about the role of the family in the health and well-being of family members within a Korean context. For clinical practice, this culturally sensitive and valid instrument has the potential to measure changes in family relationships after family therapy or interventions.

Marital Satisfaction and Social Desirability Bias

Marital satisfaction is a critical variable in marriage study at large. However, there is not a single study investigating the influence of social desirability bias toward participants’ responses filling in the marital satisfaction scale in the Indonesian context. This study aims to determine which marital satisfaction scale free from bias. Participants of this study were 250 married couples who filled in three different marital satisfaction scales (Satisfaction with Married Life, Relationship Assessment Scale, and Perceived Relationship Quality Component). Regression analysis examined the contribution of social desirability bias toward marital satisfaction. Results showed that Satisfaction with Married Life scale is free from social desirability bias. Meanwhile, Relationship Assessment Scale and Perceived Relationship Quality Component were influenced by the social desirability. This study hopes to contribute to the Indonesian marriage study by utilizing a social desirable bias-free scale or by statistically controlling the bias.

The impact of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy on sexuality and quality of life in women with breast cancer.

To compare sexual function and quality of life (QoL) in breast cancer survivors with and without a history of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). A cross-sectional study of breast cancer survivors treated at a tertiary referral hospital in Western Australia. The Female Sexual Function Index was used to determine rates of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). Participants also completed the Relationship Assessment Scale, Menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire and Short Form Health Survey-36. A total of 427 women were invited to participate: 119 had undergone BSO and 308 were controls with at least one ovary remaining. A total of 172 women participated (overall response rate 40.3%), consisting of 76 women in the BSO group (response rate 63.9%) and 96 women with at least one ovary remaining (response rate 31.2%). There was no difference in FSD between the two groups: 63/76 (82.9%) women who had undergone BSO had FSD compared to 75/96 (78.1%) controls (p = 0.458). No difference in HSDD was observed (p = 0.084) between the BSO group 70/76 (96.0%) and the controls 96/96 (100%). Women who had undergone BSO had lower general health scores compared to the control group (p = 0.034). Both groups had similar energy levels, emotional well-being, pain scores, physical functioning levels and social functioning levels. In this study, women with prior treatment for breast cancer had high levels of FSD and HSDD, irrespective of whether they had undergone BSO. Both groups reported similar sexual function scores and QoL.

A two-study validation of a single-item measure of relationship satisfaction: RAS-1

Research addressing relationship satisfaction is a constantly growing area in the social sciences. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the similarities and differences between the seven-item Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and the single-item measure of relationship satisfaction (RAS-1), using proximal and distal constructs as correlates. Two studies using two independent samples were conducted, assessing more proximal constructs, such as love and sex mindset in Study 1 (N = 380; female = 195) and more distant ones, such as loneliness and problematic pornography use in Study 2 (N = 703; female = 360). Structural equation modeling revealed that love (βRAS-1 = .55; p < .01; βRAS = .71; p < .01), sex mindset beliefs (βRAS-1 = .18; p < .01; βRAS = .13; p < .01) and loneliness (βRAS-1 = −.35; p < .01; βRAS = −.37; p < .01) had significant positive and negative associations with RAS and RAS-1, respectively; while problematic pornography use did not. These results suggest that RAS-1 may be an equally adequate instrument for measuring relationship satisfaction as the RAS with respect to proximal and distal correlates. Thus, RAS-1 is recommended to be used in large-scale studies when the number of items is limited.

Psychometric evaluation of the Swedish Quality of Dyadic Relationships scale - homogeneity and construct validity.

The Quality of Dyadic Relationships is a self-assessment scale used to evaluate various aspects of relationship quality. Psychometric evaluation by the developers of the instrument has led to a nontested amended version. Further psychometric testing is thus warranted, and the aim of this study was to evaluate homogeneity, construct validity (in terms of concurrent, discriminant and known-groups validity) and any floor and ceiling effects of the Quality of Dyadic Relationships. Forty-seven cohabitant couples (47 women with a mean age of 30.0years and 47 men with a mean age of 31.5years) answered the Quality of Dyadic Relationships, the Relationship Assessment Scale (to test concurrent validity) and the Perceived Stress Scale (to test discriminant validity). Homogeneity (internal consistency) was calculated by Cronbach's alpha. Concurrent and discriminant validity were estimated as correlations between Quality of Dyadic Relationships and the other instruments. Assessment of known-groups validity was based on the variables of parental status and gender. Floor and ceiling effects were evaluated according to frequency distribution. The overall homogeneity was good with acceptable Cronbach's alpha values (α>0.70) for all subscales but dyadic sexuality. Concurrent validity and discriminant validity were found. Known-groups validity was indicated by significant differences between individuals with different parental status on the total QDR index, where the ones without children scored higher. No difference between the genders was found. No significant floor effects were found, but a significant ceiling effect was found in the subscale dyadic sensuality, with 27.7% of respondents scoring maximum. In all, the QDR showed promising psychometric properties and may be used for screening and follow-up purposes. However, it can benefit from further development, as suggested by the ceiling effect in the subscale dyadic sensuality and the low internal consistency in the subscale dyadic sexuality.

Fat Grafting Improves Fibrosis and Scarring in Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of lipotransfer in women presenting with fibrosis and scarring due to lichen sclerosus. This prospective cohort study included 33 women attending the vulvar clinic of a public hospital. Patients received one lipotransfer treatment. Validated measures were used prospectively to assess the sexual function (Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale); symptoms (visual analog scale for itching, burning, soreness), pain (Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale 20); psychological status and quality of life (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Relationship Assessment Scale, Wound Management Questionnaire Revised); physician-based disease signs (Vulvar Architecture Severity Scale). Data were analyzed using paired t test with nonparametric Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test and unpaired t test with nonparametric Mann-Whitney test (Prism6 Software). The mean (SD) follow-up was 12.9 (3.5) months. Sexual function improved after treatment (p < .001), as well as the distress associated with sexuality (p < .0001). A significant improvement was reported in itching (p < .001), burning (p < .05), soreness (p < .001), and pain (p < .0001). Patients reported a significant improvement in romantic relationship (p < .05), anxiety (p < .0001), and depression (p < .0001). Improvement was not significant in the self-care associated with self-disgust assessment (p = .42). The clinical physician-based score showed an overall improvement in all the treated areas to lesser or greater extent. The use of fat grafting in lichen sclerosus is promising. Further studies are required to rule out a potential placebo effect and to better understand the underlying molecular mechanism of action.

The Persian version of the revised dyadic adjustment scale (RDAS): a validation study in infertile patients

BackgroundInfertility can have a powerful impact on marital quality. The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS) is a widely used measure of marital quality. This scale has not been validated in infertile patients. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the RDAS in a sample of infertile patients.MethodsThe sample of this methodological study consisted of 254 infertile patients referring to a referral infertility clinic in Tehran, Iran. A battery of questionnaires was administered to the participants, including a demographic/fertility questionnaire, the RDAS, the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS), the Couples Satisfaction Index- 4 Item (CSI-4), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Perceived Stress Scale-4 Item (PSS-4). Internal consistency of the scale was assessed with Cronbach’s alpha, construct validity was investigated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and convergent validity was examined by correlating the RDAS with RAS, KMSS, CSI-4, HADS, and PSS-4 instruments.ResultsThe mean total RDAS score was 49.26 ± 9.34, and 100 patients (39.4%) had marital distress based on the cut-off value of < 48. The second-order three-factor model of the RDAS exhibited an excellent fit to the data, as indicated by χ2/df = 2.26; CFI = 0.96; GFI = 0.91; NFI = 0.93; IFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.071 and SRMR = 0.050. The RDAS and its subscales revealed satisfactory internal consistency that ranged from 0.664 to 0.847. Convergent validity was confirmed by strong correlations between RDAS scores and scores on the RAS, KMSS, and CSI-4. These correlations also tended to be larger than correlations with measures of HADS-anxiety, HADS-depression, and PSS-4. Among demographic/fertility variables, only infertility duration was found to be correlated to the RDAS.ConclusionThe RDAS is a reliable and valid inventory for measuring marital quality in infertile patients. Further validation studies are needed to generalize the underlying structure of the scale in various populations.

How Do Military Family Caregivers Who Completed a Supportive Intervention Differ From Those Who Dropped Out?

Background. To create efficacious interventions for military family caregivers (MFCs), it is important to understand the characteristics and predictors of completers and dropouts of newly developed supportive interventions. Aim. The purpose of this study was to examine completion patterns in MFCs enrolled in an educational intervention feasibility study. Method. Baseline data are presented from MFC completers (n = 64) and dropouts (n = 60) of a national feasibility study for an innovative intervention. Measures include depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), somatic symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-15), quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief), relationship satisfaction (Relationship Assessment Scale), and military care recipient number of injuries. Analysis of variance was used to evaluate differences between completers and dropouts and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of intervention completion. Results. Results indicated that MFCs with greater anxiety, χ2(3) = 10.33, p = .02; depression, χ2(1) = 8.18, p = .004; somatic symptoms, F(1, 106) = 6.26, p = .01; care recipient number of injuries, F(1, 118) = 16.31, p < .001; lower general satisfaction with treatment, F(1, 96) = 4.34, p = .04; and lower satisfaction with accessibility and convenience with treatment, F(1, 89) = 4.18, p = .04, were significantly more likely to complete the intervention. After multivariate analysis, the sole predictor of intervention completion was the number of care recipients' injuries, χ2(6) = 14.89, N = 77, p < .05. Conclusions. Overall, findings indicate that MFCs who were more "at risk" were more likely to complete the intervention. Findings present patterns of intervention completion and provide insight on areas in need of further investigation on intervention development supporting the needs of MFCs.

Sexual Dysfunction and Marital Relationship in Women With Schizophrenia in Comparison with Caregivers: A Hospital-based Study

Background: Sexual dysfunction is common in females with schizophrenia and is attributed to multiple causes, including individual psychopathology and antipsychotics. Understanding the impact of relationship satisfaction on sexual functioning is not widely studied in schizophrenia. Women caregivers also experience sexual problems and were not studied in the past. Aim: To assess the nature and occurrence of sexual dysfunction in women with schizophrenia in comparison to caregivers of males without severe mental disorder. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 30 women with schizophrenia were recruited as cases and 26 age-matched controls were recruited from female caregivers. All subjects were assessed using standardized tools such as Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Relationship Assessment Scale along with sociodemographic questionnaire. Results: There was a significant difference in FSFI scores and relationship scores between women with schizophrenia and caregiver control subjects. The relationship quality was better in patients with schizophrenia when compared to caregivers unlike sexual functioning. Conclusion: Sexual functioning in women is a complex phenomenon. A holistic biopsychosocial approach is necessary to understand women’s sexual function.

ЗВ'ЯЗОК АКТИВНОСТІ В СОЦІАЛЬНИХ МЕРЕЖАХ І ЗАДОВОЛЕНОСТІ РОМАНТИЧНИМИ СТОСУНКАМИ

The active use of social media can potentially jeopardize the quality of romantic relationships. The present study contributes to the existing research body investigating the connection between social media use and relationship satisfaction, by focusing on the users’ social media activity, their relationship visibility, relationship satisfaction and the different types of intimacy. We conducted a web-based data collection where participants (n 418) completed various types of questionnaires, namely the Social Media Use Integration Scale (SMUIS) (Jenkins-Guarnieri, 2013), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) (Diener, 1985), the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) (Hendrick, 1988), Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (PAIR) (Schaefer &amp; Olson, 1981), and an additional questionnaire created to study the visibility of romantic relationships on social media. To analyze the collected data, first a correlation analysis was conducted. The findings show that there is a negative correlation between social media activity and romantic relationship satisfaction. Besides, social media activity is negatively associated with emotional, intellectual, recreational and social intimacy. No negative correlation has been found regarding social media activity and sexual intimacy. The correlation analysis also indicates that the users’ visibility on social networks is negatively associated with relationship satisfaction and with all types of intimacy, predominantly with social and recreational intimacy. In the second part of the study, a series of moderated regression analysis were carried out. These analyses have shown that social media activity does not moderate the association between romantic relationships’ visibility on social media and relationship satisfaction.

Factors affecting the maternal-foetal relationship.

Mother's attachment to her unborn child has a strong impact on a pregnant woman's attitude towards her health, postnatal attachment, and the child's physical and emotional growth. The purpose of our study was to identify the factors that impact the maternal-foetal relationship. The study was conducted at the Centre of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the tertiary-level Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos in Vilnius, Lithuania. An original questionnaire of nine parts was developed that the questionnaire included information on demographical data, gynaecological and obstetrical history, a relationship assessment scale, the index of happiness, an antenatal depression risk questionnaire, and the Maternal-Antenatal Attachment Scale. The study included 388 pregnant women. It was found that the level of education, obstetrical issues during pregnancy, and the risk of postnatal depression negatively impacted the maternal-foetal relationship (p < 0.05). Mothers who were elder in family birth order, also those whose pregnancy was of a longer duration, who had a better-quality romantic relationship with partner, and whose socioeconomic fulfilment was higher were all found to have a better quality of maternal-foetal bonding (p < 0.05). The early recognition of low attachment and right application of various means of psychologic intervention might improve the quality of pregnancy, maternity, and childhood.

Influence of acculturative stress on marital satisfaction: Moderation effect of gender role and communication styles in Pakistani immigrants

ABSTRACTUsing a sample of 115 first-generation married immigrant Pakistani residing in Toronto, Canada, this study assessed the moderating effect of couples’ communication patterns (warm and moderate hostility) and gender role beliefs (transcendence and gender-linked beliefs) on the link between acculturative stress and satisfaction with marriage. Participants completed a demographic information sheet, the Multidimensional Acculturative Stress Scale (MASS), the Social Roles Questionnaire (SRQ), the Behavioral Affect Rating Scale (BARS) and the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). Regression analyses indicated that gender-linked beliefs and hostile styles of communication played a moderating role between acculturative stress and marital satisfaction, decreasing marital satisfaction, while gender-transcendent beliefs and a warm style of communication supported the relationship and enhanced the marital satisfaction. Clinicians and researchers need to address the communication styles and beliefs of Pakistani immigrants within their marital relationship to get a fuller picture of it.

The Predictive Validity of Explicit and Implicit Partner Evaluations for Relationship Behaviors: An Actor–Partner Interdependence Analysis

This research introduced novel measures of explicit and implicit romantic partner evaluations and tested whether these measures predict video-observed relationship behaviors. One hundred and eighty heterosexual participants (90 couples) completed 2 measures of explicit partner evaluations, the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and a short form of the Trier Partnership Inventory (TPI–S). Participants also completed measures of implicit partner evaluations, namely 2 variants of an affective priming task (APT), one of them focusing on reaction times (RT-APT) and the other one focusing on errors (EB-APT), and a facial electromyography (fEMG) task. Relationship behaviors were video-recorded in the laboratory and coded by a total of 34 independent observers. Actor–partner interdependence models were used to test whether partner evaluations predicted participants’ own relationship behaviors (actor effects), and the behaviors of the partner (partner effects). Furthermore, we examined how explicit and implicit partner evaluations are related to the behaviors of the couple as a whole. Relationship behaviors were indeed predicted on all 3 levels by the RAS, the TPI–S, the EB-APT, and the fEMG, but not by the RT-APT. The research thus provides researchers with novel tools to assess explicit and implicit partner evaluations that are linked to relationship behaviors.

Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Evlilik Öncesi Romantik İlişkilerin Değerlendirilmesinde Erken Dönem Uyum Bozucu Şemaların Yordayıcı Rolü

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive role of the early maladaptive schemas on the pre-marital romantic relationship evaluation process among Turkish university students. The study group of this research, which was conducted as a quantitative research and in which correlational design was used, consists of 122 university students who were in a romantic relationship and who declared that they were willing to marry or were not sure in this regard. Students who were in a romantic relationship and did not consider marrying their current partner were not included in the study. The Turkish Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form-3 and Premarital Relationship Assessment Scale were used to collect the data. The results of the t-test analysis indicated that premarital romantic relationship assessment dimensions did not differ to gender and emotional deprivation, failure, social isolation/alienation, enmeshment/dependency, and defectiveness maladaptive schemas differed to gender. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis revealed that emotional deprivation schema predicted religious values assessment dimension negatively, emotional deprivation and defectiveness schemas predicted communication assessment dimension negatively, vulnerability to harm schema predicted friendships assessment dimension negatively, defectiveness schema predicted family relationships assessment dimension negatively, emotional inhibition and insufficient self-control/entitlement schemas predicted sexual cohesion assessment dimension for emotional inhibition negatively and for insufficient self-control/entitlement positively, defectiveness and vulnerability to harm and illness schemas predicted overall premarital evaluation score negatively. Results were discussed in the light of traditional gender roles, meanings attributed to marriage and relevant literature.

Relationships between body image, sexual dysfunction, and health-related quality of life among middle-aged women: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo examine whether body image, sexual function, and relationship with a partner influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among middle-aged women, as well as to identify the association with menopausal symptoms. Main outcome measuresPhysical component summary and mental component summary of HRQoL. MethodsThis was an analysis of 1026 women (2013–2014); data regarding demographic characteristics, sexual function, body image, relationship with partner, menopausal symptoms and HRQoL during middle age were collected. HRQoL, sexual function, body image, relationship with partner, and menopausal symptoms were measured using the Medical Outcomes Study SF-12, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale, the Relationship Assessment Scale, and the Greene Climacteric Scale, respectively. A multivariate regression was used to examine factors influencing HRQoL. ResultsAfter adjusting for covariates, significant factors predicting the physical component summary (PCS) of HRQoL among middle-aged women included the orgasm domain of the FSFI (β = 0.69; p = 0.023), appearance evaluation (β = 0.93; p = 0.037), and menopausal symptoms (β = −0.25; p < 0.001). The factors predicting the mental component summary (MCS) of HRQoL included the satisfaction domain of the FSFI (β = 0.70; p = 0.014), appearance evaluation (β = 2.09; p < 0.001), self-classified weight (β = 1.21; p < 0.001), relationship with partner (β = 0.16; p = 0.034), and menopausal symptoms (β = −0.36; p < 0.001). ConclusionThe results indicated that negative appearance evaluation and menopausal symptoms predicted poor HRQoL among middle-aged women. Higher frequency of orgasm predicted better PCS; sexual satisfaction and satisfaction with relationship with a partner predicted better MCS of HRQoL.

BODY IMAGE DISTURBANCE AND RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION BETWEEN OBESE AND NON-OBESE MARRIED WOMEN

OBJECTIVE: To determine body image disturbance and relationship satisfaction between obese and non-obese married women.METHODS: Study sample consisted of 100 participants. Data was collected through purposive sampling technique from different gyms and nutrient-clinics of Johar Town, Faisal Town and Model Town of Lahore city. Educated females having minimum education level of intermediate belonging to upper and middle-class families were recruited. The shortened form of Body Shape Questionnaire and Relationship Assessment Scale were administered, in addition to collecting demographic information through a semi structure performa. Independent sample t-test and Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation was used in the analysis of the data, using SPSS v.21.RESULTS: Most of obese and non-obese married women (n=41/50) were in the age range of 25-35 years and 30-40 years respectively with mean age of 34 years for obese and 33 years for non-obese married women. Husband’s mean age for obese and non-obese was 39 years and 38 years respectively. Almost all the non-obese (n=49/50) while most of the obese (n=39/50) married women were having education level of 16 or more while almost all the non-obese (n=48/50) were working women and most (n=40/50) of the obese were house wives. Thirty-two (32/50) non-obese were having 2-6 years while (n=29/50) obese married women were having 7-9 years of marriage duration. A significant relationship was shown at the level of body image disturbance (p<0.000) and marital satisfaction (p<0.000) between obese and non-obese married women.CONCLUSION: Obesity has significant impact on body image and relationship satisfaction in married women.

Predictors of Sexual Dysfunction in Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Background: The problems in sexual functioning among patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often overlooked, although scientific research confirms high rates of sexual dysfunctions (SD) particularly among veterans with PTSD. The main objective of this study was to systematically identify predictors of SD among veterans with PTSD. Methods: Three hundred veterans with PTSD were included in the cross-sectional study. The subjects were assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and self-report questionnaires: PCL-5, i.e., PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) with Criterion A, International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT), and Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). Several hierarchical multiple regressions were performed to test for the best prediction models for outcome variables of different types of SD. Results: 65% of participants received a provisional diagnosis of SD. All tested prediction models showed a good model fit. The significant individual predictors were cluster D (Trauma-Related Negative Alterations in Cognition and Mood) symptoms (for all types of SD) and in a relationship status/relationship satisfaction (all, except for premature ejaculation (PE)). Conclusions: The most salient implication of this study is the importance of sexual health assessment in veterans with PTSD. Therapeutic interventions should be focused on D symptoms and intended to improve relationship functioning with the aim to lessen the rates of SD. Psychotropic treatment with fewer adverse sexual effects is of utmost importance if pharmacotherapy is applied. Appropriate prevention, screening, and treatment of medical conditions could improve sexual functioning in veterans with PTSD.

Satisfaction in Consensual Nonmonogamy

Inaccurate stigmas and stereotypes may prevent individuals involved in consensual nonmonogamous (CNM) relationships from getting the counseling they seek when facing relational issues. Misperceptions regarding the satisfaction level of individuals in CNM relationships may perpetuate stereotypes and complicate therapeutic care. The current research attempted to determine the satisfaction levels of those involved in CNM relationships using the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS) and the Relational Assessment Questionnaire. Results of N = 150 find a mean of 4.12 (0.76) on the RAS for the CNM group indicating no difference in satisfaction between the CNM sample and individuals identifying as monogamous. This research offers important considerations for counselors in reviewing biases and judgments they may hold in working with this population and contributes to the dearth of literature on CNM populations.