Relationship Well-being Research Articles

Open relationships – challenges and dilemmas

Introduction and objective: Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) refers to various relationship types in which at least one partner, with the other’s consent, forms sexual and/or emotional connections with other people. In open relationships, partners are allowed to engage sexually with others, but emotional intimacy is reserved for the primary relationship, which takes precedence. The aim of this article is to gather the most up-to-date information on open relationships.Material and methods: A review of studies available on the PubMed platform (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) was conducted, including articles with free full-text access that used the keywords: “open relationship”, “CNM” and "Consensual non-monogamy."Brief Description of the State of Knowledge: CNM includes open relationships, polyamory, polyfidelity, and swinging. Interest in open relationships has increased in recent years, with more people expressing curiosity about them than those actively participating. Men, individuals with high cognitive empathy, those less prone to jealousy, and those capable of experiencing compersion—the joy from a partner’s involvement with others—are particularly interested in open relationships. Summary: Research suggests potential benefits of CNM, including greater relationship and sexual satisfaction compared to monogamous arrangements. However, open relationships can also pose challenges such as social stigma, the potential breakdown of the primary relationship, or complications in parenting for those involved. Despite growing interest, CNM and phenomena like compersion remain under-researched, providing an open field for further investigation into their dynamics and impact on individual and relational well-being.

Productively Passionate: Managing Your Work Drive

This article explores the topic of workaholism and provides strategies for maintaining a productive and sustainable work drive. It begins by defining workaholism according to expert research as excessive work engagement driven by internal pressures rather than job demands, to the point of causing problems in other life domains. The costs of unmanaged workaholism are then reviewed, including negative impacts on psychological, physical, and relationship well-being as well as long-term career performance. To counter these harms, the article recommends specific strategies for individuals to achieve work-life balance, such as setting limits on work hours, scheduling breaks and vacations, developing non-work interests, and adopting stress-reducing practices. It also provides organizational strategies to cultivate a culture of sustainable passion through policies supporting flexibility, focus time, and disconnection from work during non-work hours. The goal is to help engaged professionals and consultants shift from compulsive workaholic patterns to a renewed model of balanced, productive passion characterized by engagement, renewal, and thriving in all areas of life.

The Effect of the Mamanet Cachibol League on Psychosomatic Symptoms, Healthy Eating, and Social Support Among Arab Women: A Mixed-Methods Study.

The Mamanet Cachibol League (MCL), a community-based model developed in Israel, promotes physical activity and amateur team sports among women. Women in the Arab society have traditionally played few sports, especially team sports. The study aimed to assess the differences in health indicators and well-being, including psychosomatic symptoms, self-reported health, healthy eating habits, and social support, by comparing Arab women MCL participants and nonparticipants and examines benefits and motivations of community-based team sports for participants. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach included a cross-sectional study with intervention and control groups of Israeli Arab women aged 25-59years. Two-way analyses of covariance and multiple regression models evaluated demographics, well-being, healthy eating, and social support. Quality in-depth interviews with 30 MCL participants further explained the quantitative findings. MCL participants reported higher self-assessed health (P < .001) and decreased psychosomatic symptoms (P < .001) than nonparticipants. Healthier eating and well-being were also linked to MCL participation. The women sense of belonging improved social interactions, personal and professional happiness, and group dedication. MCL attendees felt empowered because the group advocated equality and valued women. Women said their involvement helped their families. Findings on the MCL community-based model suggest that team sports may serve as an effective tool for promoting health and well-being of Arab women and foster positive community relationships. The sense of belonging and personal empowerment derived from being part of a sports team may also contribute to positive mental health outcomes.

Impact of covid-19 on family dynamics in relation to age: A comparative study

This study examines the differential impact of COVID-19 on family dynamics across two distinct age groups: young adults (20-40 years) and middle-aged adults (41-60 years). The primary aim is to assess how the pandemic affected family interactions and emotional well-being in relation to age. A sample of 100 participants was selected, with 50 individuals from each age group. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire designed to measure the pandemic's impact on family dynamics through a Likert-type scale. Descriptive statistics, including mean and standard deviation, were calculated for each group, followed by a t-test to compare the two age groups. The results indicate a statistically significant difference in the impact on family dynamics, with a t-value of -2.15 and a p-value of 0.034, suggesting that middle-aged adults experienced more significant changes in family dynamics compared to young adults. This study contributes to understanding the age-related psychological and emotional responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the need for targeted interventions based on age-specific challenges.

The Lived Experiences and Well-Being of Female Partners Following Discovery or Disclosure of Their Male Partner’s Compulsive Sexual Behaviours: An Australian Phenomenological Study

Abstract Introduction There has been an upsurge of research articles in the last two decades about sexual addiction (SA) and compulsive sexual behaviour (CSB). In the literature, SA/CSB is mainly presented as comparable to other behavioural addictions and similarly involves a problematic consumption model: loss of control, psychosocial impairments, and risky sexual activities. Despite this recent rise in research interest in this area, only a small number of studies have focused on the partners’ lived experiences and well-being. Methods This qualitative descriptive phenomenological investigation aimed to examine female partners’ lived experiences and well-being following the discovery or disclosure of their male partners’ SA/CSB. Individual in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted (2020–2022) with primary participants (female partners; n = 12) and supplementary participants (counsellors; n = 15). Results The analysis reveals that this group has encountered several detrimental consequences of CSB-associated betrayal trauma (BT), including but not limited to suicidal thoughts and self-harm, compulsive self-comparisons with other women, physical and behavioural difficulties, and diminished self-esteem. Conclusions This empirical research is the first study in Australia to examine the voices and experiences of female partners upon learning of their mates’ CSBs. The findings contribute to the field of SA/CSB and enhance understanding of the multifarious consequences for the emotional, physical, sexual, spiritual and/or relational well-being of intimate female partners and their general outlook on life. Policy Implications Based on the results, there are strong indications with implications for policy that this population requires validation and multifaceted support systems to better navigate the challenging, complex, and stressful processes of discovery/disclosure and subsequent recovery.

Mental health problems identified in early school age and later mental health problems and disorders

Abstract Background Poor mental health in childhood and adolescence youth is an important public health challenge. We aimed to examine the prospective association between mental health problems among primary school children and later diagnosed mental disorders and mental health problems in youth. Methods A prospective cohort study of children participating in school health nurse examination during first years of primary school (approx. 6 years) in 17 municipalities in the capital region of Copenhagen, Denmark, with follow-up until their 16th birthday. Baseline data included information from national population registers and school health nurse records. Outcome variables: mental disorders diagnosed at hospital from approx. age 6 until 16 years (N = 6,930) and school health nurse records of mental health problems at approx. age 16 (N = 11,250). Results Problematic relations to peers in early primary school was associated with later neurodevelopmental disorders, including intellectual disability, autism-spectrum disorder and disorders of hyperactivity and inattention (AOR=4.14, 95% CI 2.15-7.97), and poor home related well-being in youth (AOR=1.67, 95% CI 1.02-2.74). Poor school well-being in early primary school was associated with poor school well-being ten years later (AOR=1.67, 95% CI 1.19-2.34) as well as problematic relations to peers (AOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.08-3.10). Further poor general well-being in early primary school was associated with problematic relations to peers in youth (AOR=2.21, 95% CI 1.17-4.18). Conclusions School health nurses identify a group of children in the early years of primary school with mental health problems and an increased risk of later mental health problems and disorders, and therefore they play an important role in the early identification of children at risk. Key messages • Children with problematic relations to peers have up to a fourfold increased risk of later mental disorders. • The school health nurses play an important role in the early identification of children at risk of later mental health problems.

The Relationship Between Acculturative Stress, Integration Strategy, Parenting Self-Efficacy, and Multicultural Youth's Perceived Parental Support in South Korea

Over the past decades, ethnically and racially diverse populations have constantly increased in South Korea. In their acculturation, a number of multicultural families encounter acculturative stress, which can negatively influence their individual as well as relational well-being. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the association between acculturative stress of multicultural parents ( n = 2,249) and parental support perceived by multicultural youth ( n = 2,271) in South Korea. Additionally, the authors examined the potential mediating effect of parental self-efficacy moderated by parental acculturation on the association between parental acculturative stress and perceived parental support. Moderated mediation analysis was conducted to test the association between multicultural mothers’ acculturative stress and their youth's perceived level of parental support with the mediating effect of multicultural mothers’ parenting self-efficacy level moderated by integration strategy. The moderation analysis identified a significant buffering effect of achieving an integrated level of acculturation on multicultural parents’ acculturative stress and parenting self-efficacy. In addition, parenting self-efficacy significantly mediated the link between multicultural parents’ acculturative stress and multicultural youth's perceived level of parental support. Implications and future directions for mental health professionals, educators, and researchers were discussed.

Parasitic contamination of environmental objects with nematode eggs of Trichuris genus in the city of Poltava

The spreading of dog digestive tract helminthoses, including trichurosis, still remains a topical problem, where one of the factors of significant infestations’ spreading is the contamination of the environment with parasites’ eggs, which can be preserved in the environment for a long time and cause infestation of susceptible animals. Therefore, one of the important factors in maintaining veterinary well-being in relation to dog trichurosis is establishing the contamination level of environmental objects by propagative stages of nematode development. The purpose of the research was to determine contamination indicators of sand and soil in the city of Poltava with nematode eggs of Trichuris genus. The studies were conducted on the basis of the laboratory of parasitology of Poltava State Agrarian University. Sand samples from sandboxes located on the territory of the city of Poltava, as well as soil from the territories adjacent to them were studied. The main contamination indicators were the extensive contamination index and intensive contamination index. It was revealed by the conducted research that 61 out of 90 sandboxes in the city of Poltava were contaminated with nematode eggs of Trichuris genus, where the extensive contamination index made 67.78 %, and the intensive contamination index made 195.79±18.41 eggs/kg. The territory of Kyiv district was the most contaminated with nematode eggs, where 25 out of 30 sandboxes were contaminated with propagative stages of trichurises development, and the level of parasites’ contamination was 83.33 % and 218.91±17.27 eggs/kg. It was found that the most infected sand was taken from the surface at the edges of the sandbox, near its walls, where the extensive and intensive contamination indices made 41.11 % and 320.27±35.43 eggs/kg, respectively. Also, high rates of parasitic infestation were found during studying the soil, taken from the surface at a distance of 1 m from the sandbox, where, on the average, the extensive contamination index was 46.67 %, and the intensive contamination index was 263.90±28.87 eggs/kg. With an increase in the sampling depth, the indicators of contamination with trichurises’ eggs decreased and amounted to: on the surface – 36.67–46.67 % and 120.37–320.7 eggs/kg, at a depth of 5 cm – 14.44–30.00 % and 80.77–274.07 eggs/kg, and at a depth of 10 cm – 8.89–20.00 % and 62.50–125.00 eggs/kg. The obtained results of parasitological studies prove that the territory of sandboxes is a real factor in the transmission of invasive agents, which must be taken into account in assessing the risks of infecting dogs with trichurosis causative agent.

Examining the validity of an adaptive model of sustaining behaviors in long-distance relationships: Predicting intimacy and marital satisfaction

Long-distance romantic relationships present unique challenges, necessitating couples to employ adaptive strategies to maintain intimacy and marital satisfaction. This study aimed to examine the validity of an adaptive model of sustaining behaviors in long-distance relationships and its capacity to predict marital intimacy and satisfaction. The model included mindfulness, sexual function, religious, and online social support domains. Data were collected online from 366 couples (aged 18 to 57; Mean = 34.82, SD = 7.34; 79.8 % female) engaged in long-distance relationships. A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the acceptable fit of the four-factor model which was also invariant across gender groups. The results indicated significant associations between sustaining behaviors and marital intimacy and satisfaction, with varying predictive power among specific components. Notably, relationship/sexual mindfulness and marital sanction/religious communication within the religion domain emerged as robust predictors. Conversely, religious practice showed a significant negative association. Additionally, the realization component of the sexual function domain significantly predicted both marital satisfaction and intimacy, while its partnership component significantly predicted only marital intimacy. None of the social support components significantly predicted marital intimacy or satisfaction. These findings are important as they highlight the nuanced interplay between sustaining behaviors and relational well-being in long-distance relationships, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions to enhance relationship quality in this context.

Bothered More by Acquaintances’ Appearance than Celebrities’ on Social Networks: An Investigation of Comparison Targets’ Effect under Social Comparison Theory with a Chinese Student Sample

In times of the rise of the “A4 waist” trend on social networks (SNs), concerns have been raised over appearance-related content’s adverse effects on body image and well-being in parasocial relationships. We conducted a survey on Chinese college students ( N = 333) to examine the effects of comparison targets (same-gender acquaintances, celebrities, and online strangers) based on social comparison theory. The results indicate that, in line with construal-level theory, students paid more attention to the appearance-related content of same-gender acquaintances than that of the other two target groups. Surprisingly, small gaps in physical attraction between the students and acquaintances generated more appearance concern than the huge gaps between the students and celebrities, which could be explained by the “narcissism of small differences” theory. We developed existing comparison target studies by including the impact of online strangers to adapt to the current SN environment. Although the students paid the least attention to strangers’ SN appearance-related content, exposure to such content had a positive correlation with appearance concern. Regarding gender differences, females devoted more to SN appearance-related content than males across all three target groups, but the concern generated from viewing such content differed only when the targets were celebrities (females &gt; males). The present study expands social comparison theory by introducing a two-dimensional (similarity and interaction forms) concept of “social distance.” Our findings suggest that socially close targets received more attention and comparisons and generated more concern about appearance.

When a Partner Supports Your Sexual Autonomy: Perceived Partner Sexual Autonomy Support, Need Fulfillment, and Satisfaction in Romantic Relationships.

Sexual need fulfillment is central to well-being in romantic relationships. Self-determination theory suggests that perceiving a romantic partner as autonomously supportive is linked with greater well-being through supporting the fulfillment of basic psychological needs. The current research examines whether there are unique associations with need fulfillment and sexual and relationship satisfaction when people perceive their partner as autonomously supportive in the sexual domain. Across three multi-method studies (N = 786), we developed a measure of perceived partner sexual autonomy support and demonstrated that perceiving sexual autonomy support from a partner in general, during sex, and over time were associated with greater sexual need fulfillment as well as sexual and relationship satisfaction for both partners over and above the association with general perceived autonomy support and perceived partner responsiveness during sex. Sexual need fulfillment also accounted for the positive associations between perceived partner sexual autonomy support and satisfaction across studies.

The Couples Coping Enhancement Training – Sexual Minority Stress (CCET-SMS) Relationship Education Program: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Evidence of Effectiveness

Individuals with diverse and traditionally underrepresented sexual orientations – those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) – experience compounded stress due to their marginalized identity in a heteronormative society. Such stressors, which include but are not limited to discrimination and internalized heterosexism, increase risks for various affective disorders and negatively impact relationship functioning. Empirically supported relationship education programs, including the Couples Coping Enhancement Training (CCET), have been found efficacious in increasing psychological and relationship well-being; however, the original CCET and related education programs do not specifically target how couples can identify, communicate, and cope with sexual minority stressors. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary evidence of effectiveness of the Couples Coping Enhancement Training – Sexual Minority Stress (CCET-SMS) relationship education program. Results from nine couples showed trends in decreased reports of sexual minority stress and general distress, and significant increases in reports of positive dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction. Additional results based on the program feasibility and acceptability along with limitations and suggestions for future directions are presented.

Assessment of Motor Performance and Self-Perceived Psychophysical Well-Being in Relation to Body Mass Index in Italian Adolescents.

The relationship between psychophysical self-perception (PSP), body mass index (BMI) and motor performance (MP) levels, in quantitative and qualitative terms, can be a very interesting connection to investigate. This study aimed to assess MP and PSP according to gender and weight differences (normal weight-Nw/overweight-obese-Ov-Ob) and their relationship to BMI in Italian adolescents. In total, 144 students (F = 72; M = 72) aged between 11 and 13 y.o. participated in this study. They were divided into two groups by gender and into two subgroups based on weight (Nw/Ov-Ob). Standing long jump, sit-and-reach, 10 × 5 m shuttle and sit-up tests to assess MP were carried out, and an ad hoc questionnaire to evaluate PSP was administrated. In comparing the Nw and Ov-Ob subgroups on the basis of BMI for each gender, statistically significant differences emerged in all motor skill tests administered. Regarding PSP, the Nw subgroup showed high and positive levels, while Ov-Ob showed low and negative levels, highlighting a relationship between high BMI and poor motor performance as well as negative psychophysical perception in the Ov-Ob subgroup. this study supports the importance of physical sport activity to regulate excess weight but also contribute to better psychophysical well-being.

Dyadic investigations of past traumatic events and affectionate touch frequency in couples.

Past traumatic events negatively affect romantic relationships, yet their impact on affectionate touch, an important predictor of psychological and relational well-being, remains unknown. In two preregistered studies with nonclinical samples, we hypothesized that traumatic events are negatively associated with affectionate touch frequency for both the victim (i.e., actor effect) and their romantic partner (i.e., partner effect). We also expected this negative link to be stronger for the people perceiving relatively low responsiveness and/or high insensitivity in their partner. We used secondary data from 70 Swiss couples in Study 1 and collected data online from 441 couples living in the United States or United Kingdom in Study 2. All couples were heterosexual, and both studies were dyadic and cross-sectional. Unlike our hypotheses, analyses with Actor-Partner Interdependence Models revealed no negative associations between past traumatic events and affectionate touch. In Study 1, we found no significant actor effects but small-sized positive partner effects of men's traumatic events on women's affectionate touch frequency. In Study 2, however, two out of three actor effects and one partner effect were positive with negligible to small sizes. Neither perceived partner responsiveness nor insensitivity had a moderating role. The association between past traumatic experiences and affectionate touch was inconsistently nonsignificant or positive but consistently nonnegative across our two studies. Our research demonstrated that past traumatic events did not inhibit individuals from expressing love and care to their partner through affectionate touch in our sample, even for varying levels of perceived partner responsiveness (insensitivity). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

How Screen Time and Social Media Hyperconnection Have Harmed Adolescents’ Relational and Psychological Well-Being since the COVID-19 Pandemic

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in screen time and hyperconnection on social media is raising significant concerns, with particular emphasis of their effects on the relational and psychological well-being of children and adolescents. The present study analyses data from two representative cross-sectional surveys conducted among Italian adolescents in 2019 and 2022. Through bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression models, the study examines changes in screen time on social media, identifies key socio-demographic predictors of hyperconnection, and explores its effects on both the relational and psychological well-being of young people. The findings reveal the profound impact of the pandemic on daily social media use, showing a significant increase across all social groups regardless of socio-demographic characteristics, with girls consistently exhibiting higher levels of hyperconnection. Additionally, the results indicate that hyperconnected individuals are 1.4 times more likely to experience negative psychological states compared to their peers. The effects of hyperconnection vary by gender, influencing both horizontal and vertical social interactions, reducing trust in adult figures, increasing the likelihood of cyberbullying victimisation, phubbing, and body image concerns, and fostering the belief that online relationships can replace offline ones. Overall, the study highlights the urgent need for more effective prevention, awareness, and educational strategies aimed at educators, parents, and adolescents.

Sense of safety, school identification, and well-being: The indirect impact of relational mobility

This study evaluated the impact of relational mobility on well-being, integrating the mediating effects of sense of safety and school identification. Participants comprised 373 university students who completed online surveys over 1 week, after which we used partial least squares regression to analyze the data. The results showed (a) the direct effect of relational mobility on well-being was not significant, (b) relational mobility had a positive impact on sense of safety and school identification, (c) sense of safety and school identification had a positive impact on well-being, and (d) sense of safety and school identification serially mediated the relationship between relational mobility and well-being. Researchers, educators, and policymakers can benefit from these new insights into how relational mobility affects Chinese university students' well-being and how sense of safety and school identification contribute to its impact.

Perceived Control, Marital Satisfaction, Social Support and Infertility Related Stress: A Mediated Moderation

Infertility can be a significant source of stress, affecting not only individuals but also their relationships and overall well-being. This study examines the relationship between perceived control, marital satisfaction, social support and infertility-related Stress in women seeking fertility treatment. A correlational research design with a non-probability purposive sampling strategy was used. One hundred ten diagnosed infertile women were recruited at age 35 years and above. The Urdu version of all scales was administered for pilot testing to 10 diagnosed infertile women taken from Government hospitals in Lahore. For statistical analysis, SPSS version 26 was used to analyze the data by applying mediated moderation by process macro and independent sample t-test. A total of 110 responses were received. The overall perceived control score was found to be 12.10 ± 6.53, marital satisfaction score of 10.40 ±5.24, social support score of 10.92 ±4.62 and infertility related Stress score of 55.91 ±7.90. Perceived control has a significant impact on infertility-related Stress (β=-.81***). The overall difference in perceived control score (p&lt;0.05) marital satisfaction score(p&lt;0.05) and infertility-related Stress score (p&lt;0.05) in employed and unemployed women was also significant. Overall, perceived control has a direct relationship with marital satisfaction and with infertility-related Stress. The interaction between marital satisfaction and social support (MS*SS) is also significant. Significant employment differences in perceived control, marital satisfaction, and infertility-related Stress were found. Implications for therapeutic interventions and support programs for women facing infertility are discussed, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to mental health and relational well-being in this context.

Agreeableness and Conflict Management in Daily Life: The Impact of Prosocial Traits on Psychological Adaptation

This paper explores the role of agreeableness, a key personality trait characterized by prosocial behaviors such as empathy, altruism, and cooperation, in conflict management and psychological adaptation in daily life. Agreeable individuals, driven by a focus on harmony and understanding, tend to employ constructive conflict resolution strategies that prioritize relational well-being and mutual respect. These strategies reduce interpersonal tensions, promote trust, and enhance relational satisfaction. Furthermore, agreeableness contributes significantly to psychological adaptation by fostering positive social interactions, enhancing emotional regulation, and promoting adaptive coping mechanisms, which together support resilience in the face of life’s challenges. The broader implications of agreeableness extend beyond individual relationships, influencing organizational dynamics, community engagement, and societal harmony by reducing conflict, fostering inclusivity, and bridging ideological divides. This paper highlights the importance of agreeableness in shaping both personal well-being and social cohesion, emphasizing its role in promoting a more empathetic, cooperative, and resilient society.

Understanding the relational well-being of primary school teachers in rural South Africa

Understanding the relational well-being of primary school teachers in rural South Africa

Adult attachment and personal and romantic relationship well-being: Forgiveness of self and partner as mediators.

Adult attachment and personal and romantic relationship well-being: Forgiveness of self and partner as mediators.