Evaluating the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Psychosexual Intervention for Couples Post-allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

PURPOSE: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can have a long-term impact on patients' sexual functioning and consequently, their relationship satisfaction. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a 5-session psychosexual intervention for HSCT survivors and their partners. METHODS: To be eligible patients were required to be more than 3 months post-allogeneic HSCT. The intervention comprised 2 components: (1) A psychosexual education session exploring medical/behavioral treatment options for sexual dysfunction, delivered by a specialist nurse; (2) A 4-session Emotionally-Focused Therapy-based relationship education program for couples delivered by a clinical psychologist. Measures assessing relationship quality, sexual functioning, anxiety, and depression were administered pre- and post-intervention. Feasibility was measured via participation rate, adherence and compliance with completing main measures. Acceptability of the intervention was assessed via patient/partner satisfaction surveys. RESULTS: Eight of 85 (9.4%) eligible patients and their partners participated in the study. Reasons for declining participation included: feeling uncomfortable due to sensitive nature of intervention; did not have any relationship/sexual function issues; and experiencing ongoing medical issues. Six of 8 couples (75%) attended at least 4 intervention sessions and 5 of 8 (62.5%) completed the main study measures post-intervention. Four couples reported that sexual satisfaction and relationship satisfaction was somewhat or much better post-intervention; 1 reported no change. CONCLUSION: Feasibility criteria were not met, with low enrolment rate, however the intervention was deemed acceptable. Couples who participated adhered to the intervention and considered it beneficial. Further strategies to identify and manage sexual concerns are required.

Comparing the effectiveness of structural family therapy and mindfulness-based family therapy in cohesion and adaptability in couples with marital dissatisfaction.

The present study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of structural family therapy and mindfulness-based family therapy in cohesion and adaptability in couples with marital dissatisfaction. The research was a semi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest control group design and a two-month follow-up. The research population comprised all couples with marital dissatisfaction who referred to family counseling centers in Tehran (Iran) in the first 6 months of 2021. Out of this number, 30 couples with marital dissatisfaction were selected using convenience and purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to three groups: structural family therapy, mindfulness-based family therapy and the control group. The research tool was the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale by Olson, Portner and Lavee (1996). In order to analyze the data, repeated measures analysis of variance was used. The findings demonstrated that there is a significant difference between the two experimental groups and the control group in cohesion and adaptability scores. This means that both experimental groups had a significant effect on cohesion and adaptability components (p < 0.05). Further, the results suggested that there is a significant difference between the two experimental groups of structural family therapy and mindfulness-based family therapy in terms of the effectiveness in the components of cohesion and adaptability. Accordingly, the effect of structural family therapy on couple's cohesion and adaptability was greater than that of mindfulness-based family therapy (p < 0.05).

Interactive effects of mindfulness and negative urgency on intimate partner aggression perpetration.

Intimate partner aggression (IPA) is a costly and incompletely understood phenomenon. Negative urgency, the tendency to act impulsively in response to negative affect, is predictive of IPA perpetration. Mindfulness, by virtue of its emphasis on nonreactivity to negative affect, is an opposing force to urgent tendencies that may mitigate the negative urgency-IPA link. Yet, no research to date investigates the interactive effects of negative urgency and mindfulness on IPA perpetration. Two studies were conducted that measured and manipulated multiple facets of mindfulness alongside measures of negative urgency and tendencies of IPA perpetration (combined N = 508 undergraduate students in monogamous intimate relationships). Counter to our preregistered predictions, we found that negative urgency's association with greater IPA perpetration increased at higher levels of mindfulness. These findings suggest that mindfulness may not be a protective factor against IPA perpetration for individuals higher in negative urgency, but rather may serve as a risk factor.

Mindfulness, awareness, partner caring, and romantic relationship quality: Structural equation modeling.

Studies investigating the potential structures underlying the connection between mindfulness and romantic relationship quality are not sufficient and require additional empirical findings. The current study aimed to examine a hypothesized model underlying the association between mindfulness and relationship quality, while investigating the roles of individuals' level of awareness and application of care in a romantic relationship among 199 adult participants in a southeastern region of the United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and path analysis were executed to examine the hypothesized structural model, testing a multi-step pathway as to how mindfulness influences relationship quality. The SEM and path analyses showed a good fit for the present study's hypothesized model, indicating that individuals' mindfulness had a direct influence on their self-awareness level. Individuals' self-awareness and application of care mediated the link between mindfulness and relationship quality. Implications for family life educators, dyadic couples researchers, and marriage and family practitioners are discussed.

A randomized comparison of group mindfulness and group cognitive behavioral therapy vs control for couples after prostate cancer with sexual dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction is the most common and most distressing consequence of prostate cancer (PCa) treatment and has been shown to directly affect the sexual function and quality of life of survivors' partners. There are currently no established therapies to treat the emotional and psychological burden that sexual issues impose on the couple after PCa. AIM: Our study examined the impact of 2 therapies-cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness therapy-on sexual, relational, and psychological outcomes of PCa survivor and partner couples. METHODS: PCa survivors (n = 68) who self-reported current sexual problems after PCa treatments and their partners were randomized to 4 consecutive weeks of couples' mindfulness therapy, couples' CBT, or no treatment (control). OUTCOMES: Couples' sexual distress, survivors' sexual satisfaction, and couples' relationship satisfaction, quality of life, psychological symptoms (anxiety and depression), and trait mindfulness were measured at baseline, 6 weeks after treatment, and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: Sexual distress and sexual satisfaction were significantly improved 6 weeks after the CBT and mindfulness interventions as compared with the control group, but only sexual distress remained significantly improved at 6 months. Relationship satisfaction decreased and more so for partners than survivors. There were increases in domains of quality of life for survivors vs their partners 6 months after treatments and an overall increase in general quality of life for couples 6 weeks after mindfulness. There were no significant changes in psychological symptoms and trait mindfulness. Qualitative analysis showed that the mindfulness intervention led to greater personal impact on couple intimacy after the study had ended. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: CBT and mindfulness can be effective treatments for helping couples adapt to and cope with changes to their sexual function after PCa treatments and could help improve the most common concern for PCa survivors-that is, couples' sexual intimacy-after cancer, if added to routine clinical care. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: We used established standardized treatment manuals and highly sensitive statistical methodology and accounted for covariable factors and moderators of primary outcomes. Due to difficulty in recruitment, we had a smaller control group than treatment, reducing our power to detect between-group differences. Our sample was mostly White, heterosexual, and affluent, thereby limiting the generalizability. CONCLUSION: This is the first randomized clinical trial to test and demonstrate benefits among PCa survivors and partners' sexual outcomes after CBT and mindfulness as compared with a nontreatment control group.

The Influence of Home-Based Music Therapy Interventions on Relationship Quality in Couples Living with Dementia-An Adapted Convergent Mixed Methods Study.

Relationship quality is important for well-being and quality of life in couples living with dementia. Home-based music therapy interventions may be conducted with the aim of enhancing relationship quality. However, the effects or influences of such interventions are only briefly investigated in previous studies. This study's aim was to identify how a 12-week home-based music therapy intervention may influence relationship quality in couples living with dementia, through an adapted convergent mixed methods design. In this case, 68 participating couples from the HOMESIDE RCT study, and four individually recruited couples, received the music therapy intervention. Relationship quality for all participants was measured by the standardized Quality of Caregiver-Patient Relationship scale, and qualitative interviews were conducted with the four individually recruited participants at baseline and post intervention. Quantitative analysis indicated no statistically significant intervention effect. However, relationship quality remained stable over the intervention period. The qualitative analysis identified that the music therapy interventions primarily led to positive emotions, closeness, intimacy, and communication between the persons with dementia and their care partners. Intervention influences could also be ambiguous, as sharing music experiences might involve a risk of evoking vulnerabilities or negative emotional responses.

Longitudinal associations between mindfulness and changes to body image in first-time parent couples.

Pregnancy and postpartum are associated with declines in body image. Research on postpartum body image focuses almost exclusively on the person who gave birth and studies examining protective factors for postpartum body image are scarce. We assessed 257 new-parent couples from mid-pregnancy to 6-months postpartum to examine whether mindfulness-a recognized contributor to psychological well-being-buffered against declines in both partners' perceptions of mothers' body. Mothers' positive body image and partners' perception of mothers' body were collected at four time-points (second and third trimester; 3- and 6-months postpartum); both partners' mindfulness facets-observing, describing, awareness acting, non-judgement, and non-reactivity-were assessed in the second trimester. Dyadic latent growth curve modeling revealed that both partners' perceptions of mothers' body were positively correlated at all moments; however, mothers' positive body image worsened over time, whereas partners' perception of mothers' body remained stable. Mindfulness facets were positively associated with mothers' positive body image (observe, describe, and non-judging) and fathers' (non-judging) perceptions of mothers' body in pregnancy. Mothers' mindfulness facets (acting with awareness, non-judging) were associated with subsequent trajectories of their own body image. By identifying mindfulness facets as targetable protective factors during pregnancy, these findings have implications for future research and interventions focused on perinatal body image.

Religiosity, Sexual Satisfaction, and Relationship Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Sexual Mindfulness and Sexual Sanctification.

There are a variety of conditions under which religiosity may be positively or negatively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction. To better understand these conditions, we conducted two studies using two separate samples: one with individuals (1,695 individuals), and one with couples (481 dyads), to test how sexual sanctification and sexual mindfulness moderate these associations. Across studies sexual mindfulness was positively associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction for the individual and partner, but there was no evidence for moderation; sexual sanctification was consistently associated with higher sexual and relationship satisfaction, and in some cases moderated the association between religiosity and both sexual and relationship satisfaction for women and men. In Study 1, religiosity was associated with lower sexual and relationship satisfaction for both men and women when sexual sanctification was low, but not with either type of satisfaction when sexual sanctification was high. In Study 2, religiosity was positively associated with sexual satisfaction for men but only when sexual sanctification was high. The combined evidence indicates that sexual sanctification may be one factor that distinguishes whether religion helps or hinders sexual and relationship satisfaction.

The Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Couples in Later Life. A Mixed Methods Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: To review current quantitative and qualitative evidence on the physical and mental health outcomes and participant experiences following mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for couples over the age of 65. METHODS: The search strategy used PubMed; Web of Science; PsycInfo; The Dementia Evidence Toolkit; NIH RePORTER; NIH Clinical Trials.gov and Scopus databases and followed the JBI framework. RESULTS: Four studies were included, of these, three were described as patient-carer dyads. Overall, the studies suggested that standardized, eight-week mindfulness interventions may be feasible for older adult independent couples and caregiving dyads, including people with cognitive decline, but the available evidence should be considered with caution. CONCLUSIONS: Further high-quality studies investigating specific older adult dyads with sensitive and appropriate outcome measures are needed. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Whilst older adult mindfulness groups delivered to couples are feasible, conclusions about the effects of mindfulness on older adult caregiving and/or romantic couples are impossible to establish.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for men on active surveillance for prostate cancer and their spouses: Design and methodology of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although active surveillance (AS) is an increasingly adopted treatment paradigm for management of very low risk prostate cancer, many men and their partners face a variety of AS-related psychosocial stressors. Stressors may include anxiety and fear of progression, which may negatively affect short- and long-term psychosocial adjustment and influence early withdrawal from AS in order to seek definitive therapies such as surgery or radiation. Here we describe the protocol for an NCI-funded trial, which seeks to examine the efficacy of mindfulness training compared with a time/attention-matched health promotion control condition in a geographically generalizable sample of men on AS and their spouses. METHODS: Using a randomized, controlled, partially double-blinded study design, this study involves the delivery of 8 weeks of standardized mindfulness training (MBSR; mindfulness-based stress reduction) and patient reported outcomes over a 12-month period (proposed enrollment of 80 men on AS and spouses), compared with a health promotion control (proposed enrollment of 80 men on AS and spouses) that has been matched for time and attention. Baseline (T1) measures (e.g., anxiety, fear of progression, quality of life) are administered just prior to randomization to the two study arms, followed by repeated assessments at 2 months (T2), 6 months (T3) and 12 months (T4). CONCLUSION: This study has the potential to offer men and their partners on AS with important educational and self-regulatory skills to better cope and adjust with known stressors related to being placed on this protocol.

Thematic analysis of therapists' experiences integrating EMDR and EFT in couple therapy: Theoretical and clinical complementarity, and benefits to client couples.

In this article, we present partial findings from a thematic analysis study that examined integrating emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as clinical frameworks in couple therapy. The purpose of the study is to better understand how therapists integrate EFT and EMDR therapy in their clinical work. Thirteen licensed therapists (n = 13) trained in EFT and EMDR were interviewed about their experiences integrating these two models in their couple therapy practice. The findings included in this article are related to how these models complement each other as well as the clinical benefits associated with their integration. Findings provide preliminary evidence that there are benefits and challenges when integrating both models, although we emphasize complementarity in this article. Limitations and implications for future research on the integration and efficacy of these two models are also discussed.

Sexual intimacy and aging: An integrative framework to promote intimacy resilience in couple therapy.

In our work at the Intimacies Project at The Ackerman Institute for the Family we became aware of a gap in attention about sexuality and aging in the couple and family therapy field. In this article, we provide an integrative framework to guide therapists on how to address problems of sexuality and aging in the therapy room. Starting from considerations about the social context of aging and the self of the therapist, we contend that when normative sexual challenges become entangled with stigma, misconceptions about sexuality, limiting gender narratives, vulnerabilities, and defensive postures, they often result in emotional and sexual shutdowns. Through a combination of the vulnerability cycle with an expansive definition of sexuality, we demonstrate how we deconstruct impasses, disentangle normative quandaries from reactive dynamics, and help couples transform their sexual narratives. We outline how we conduct individual sessions to obtain relational sexual histories, utilize Sensate Focus as a mindful touch exercise, and help partners expand their sexual menus beyond penetration and orgasms. We also describe relational skills that may need to be strengthened to help aging couples deal with the ebb and flow of intimacy, sustaining resilience over time.

How do general practitioners handle couple relationship problems in consultations? A focus group study.

BACKGROUND: Couple relationship problems are common and associated with health problems. The aim of this study was to explore general practitioners' (GPs') experiences, expectations, and educational needs when dealing with couple relationship problems in consultations. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study by carrying out 3 semistructured focus group interviews with 18 GPs. We used systematic text condensation for the analyses. RESULTS: Participants shared their experiences of handling couple relationship problems in consultations. Three main themes emerged: (i) pragmatic case-finding: golden opportunities to reveal patients' couple relationship problems; (ii) conceptual and role confusion; (iii) professional competence and personal experience. While issues in relationships could serve as an explanation for relevant clinical problems, some GPs questioned whether relationship issues are strictly medical. All participants had engaged in individual supportive therapy, but none saw themselves as therapists. The interviews revealed that an individual supportive focus might lead to a consolidation of 1 partner's view, rather than challenging their position. Long-term doctor-patient relationships made it easier to talk about these issues. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed several paradoxes. GPs are confident in offering individual supportive therapy for couple relationship issues but should be aware of substantial pitfalls such as side-taking and constraining change. Despite dealing with relationship problems, GPs do not see themselves as therapists. They use professional and personal experience but would benefit from increasing their skills in cognitive restructuring promoting behavioural flexibility facing relationship problems.

Couple relationship problems are common and often raised in general practitioner (GP) consultations as they are associated with health problems. We lack knowledge about what experiences, expectations, and educational needs GPs have when dealing with these problems. In 2020, we interviewed 18 GPs about how they handle couple relationship problems in their practice. Three main themes emerged: (i) Patients seldom present their relationship as the main problem. GPs conduct pragmatic case-finding to reveal relational problems that might be connected to, or be a risk factor for, health problems. (ii) GPs deal with couple relationship problems in several ways. Some think that they are not a medical problem, while others take a more holistic approach. In both cases, GPs lack the tools to assess couple relationship problems and to offer brief interventions. (iii) The most experienced doctors emphasized that their professional and personal experience qualified them to support their patients. Continuity in the doctor­patient relationship was also considered important. We revealed that taking a biopsychosocial approach can be challenged by searching for biomedical causes for problems. GPs should be aware of the pitfalls of individual supportive therapy in dealing with couple relationship issues, such as taking sides and impeding change.

Concurrent randomized control trials of the 1-year efficacy of two couple relationship education programs: ELEVATE and Couples Connecting Mindfully.

A long-standing university-community partnership used a longitudinal randomized control trial to implement and evaluate two couple relationship education (CRE) curricula, ELEVATE and Couples Connecting Mindfully (CCM), among an economically and racially diverse population of adult couples. Married and non-married couples (n = 929 couples) completed baseline surveys and were randomly assigned to either one of the two program groups or to the control group by implementation site. Follow-up surveys were collected at 2 months, 6 months, and 1 year after baseline. Using an intent-to-treat approach, growth curve modeling comparisons of trajectories indicated program effects at 1 year post-baseline in key outcome areas. Both the ELEVATE and the CCM group reported significant gains in couple relationship skills, couple quality, and family harmony over time compared to the control group that experienced either no change or declines. Further, the ELEVATE group also demonstrated positive program effects on measures of mental health and sleep quality. An assessment of the central premise of CRE indicated that the immediate post-program improvements in couple relationship skills predicted later couple quality for both program groups. This study indicates that both ELEVATE and CCM can be considered evidence-based CRE programs for use with a broad population of couples.

Una asociación duradera entre la universidad y la comunidad utilizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado y longitudinal para implementar y evaluar dos currículos de educación sobre las relaciones de pareja, ELEVATE y Couples Connecting Mindfully (CCM), entre una población de parejas adultas económicamente y racialmente diversa. Parejas casadas y no casadas (n = 929 parejas) contestaron encuestas en el momento basal, y luego, en el lugar de implementación, se las distribuyó aleatoriamente a alguno de los dos grupos del programa o al grupo de referencia. Se recogieron encuestas de seguimiento dos meses, seis meses y un año después del momento basal. Utilizando un método por intención de tratar, las comparaciones de trayectorias del modelo de curva del crecimiento indicaron efectos del programa un año después del momento basal en áreas de resultado claves. Tanto el grupo de ELEVATE como el de CCM informaron beneficios significativos en las habilidades para las relaciones de pareja, la calidad de la pareja y la armonía familiar con el tiempo en comparación con el grupo de referencia, que no tuvo ningún cambio ni empeoramientos. Además, el grupo de ELEVATE también demostró efectos del programa en las medidas de salud mental y calidad del sueño. Una evaluación de la premisa fundamental de la educación sobre las relaciones de pareja indicó que las mejoras inmediatas después del programa en las habilidades para las relaciones de pareja predijeron una posterior calidad de la pareja para ambos grupos del programa. Este estudio indica que tanto ELEVATE como CCM pueden considerarse programas factuales de educación sobre las relaciones de pareja aptos para su uso con una amplia población de parejas.

Thinking under fire: Mentalization-based couple therapy for high conflict and domestically abusive couples'.

BACKGROUND: The question of working psychotherapeutically with high conflict and domestically abusive couples is one that continues to raise anxieties within the field. AIMS: Embracing a relational approach offers an alternative perspective to the more familiar individual-based treatment interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Drawing on my therapy with a married couple who presented in a crisis following an abusive incident, I will outline how I approached the assessment, my understanding of their presenting problem and the basis on which the therapy was conducted. RESULTS: During the eight months of treatment, the couple had frequent breakdowns in communication, and I found myself drawing on a range of mentalization-based techniques that supported and maintained the working alliance. DISCUSSION: Helping the couple break the damaging effects of the abuse, which was seriously affecting them and impacting their children, provides a particular focus for this submission. CONCLUSION: The rationale for undertaking couple therapy in situations of domestic violence and abuse was examined. The dynamic elements of theory underpinning practice, together with mentalization-based techniques designed to tackle disregulated states of mind that may lead to violent and abusive exchanges, were considered through the presentation of a case example.

An Exploration of Dyadic Relationship Approach-Avoidance Goals and Relationship and Sexual Satisfaction in Couples Coping with Endometriosis.

Endometriosis affects women of reproductive age and is associated with higher levels of sexual and relational distress. Despite the relational context of endometriosis, the research pertaining to dyadic relationship goals is lacking. An exploration of the relationship goals of couples coping with endometriosis can facilitate the understanding of potential protective mechanisms that mitigate the relational components of the condition. Guided by the approach-avoidance theoretical framework, the current cross-sectional study aimed to examine the role relationship goals play in sexual and relationship satisfaction in couples coping with endometriosis. Approach goals relate to the pursuit of a positive outcomes, whereas avoidance goals relate to the avoidance of negative outcomes. Women with endometriosis and their partners (N = 61) completed an online survey measuring relationship goals and relationship and sexual satisfaction. The study results indicated that, for women, their own and their partner's higher relationship approach goals were linked to higher sexual satisfaction. For partners of women with endometriosis, their own higher relationship approach goals were associated with their own higher relationship satisfaction. Higher relationship avoidance goals in both women with endometriosis and partners were associated with higher relationship satisfaction. The study's findings highlight relationship goals as relevant to the relational and sexual experience of couples coping with endometriosis. When treating women with endometriosis, the inclusion of partners and consideration of factors beyond the physical illness are important for a holistic management approach.

Mindfulness-Based Couple Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review.

Over the past decades, mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to improve individual health and well-being in clinical and nonclinical settings. More recently, secular contemplative trainings were adapted to the couple context as research showed satisfying couple relationships to be one of the strongest predictors of physical and mental health. Mindfulness-based interventions hence seem to be a promising treatment in couple counseling and therapy in both clinical and nonclinical settings. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to provide an overview of the emerging literature in the field of mindfulness-based interventions for couples and other dyads. Overall, sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. To summarize the heterogeneous quantitative literature regarding individual outcomes, mindfulness interventions for couples seem to increase mindfulness, self-compassion, well-being, and quality of life. Additionally, we found initial evidence of beneficial effects on relieving psychopathological symptoms and psychobiological stress measures. Measures of relationship quality were the predominant dyadic outcome. Based on these studies, we cautiously conclude that mindfulness trainings can enhance relationship quality. Practitioners should be aware that mindfulness-based interventions for couples can potentially improve the perceived relationship quality between partners and the individual burden. Future studies should expand the field, particularly with regard to other contemplative practices for couples such as compassion interventions.

Durante las últimas décadas, se ha demostrado que las intervenciones basadas en la conciencia plena mejoran la salud y el bienestar en entornos clínicos y no clínicos. Recientemente, se adaptaron capacitaciones contemplativas seculares al contexto de la pareja, ya que las investigaciones demostraron que las relaciones satisfactorias de pareja son uno de los predictores más firmes de la salud mental y física. Por consiguiente, las intervenciones basadas en la conciencia plena parecen ser un tratamiento prometedor en la terapia de pareja, tanto en entornos clínicos como no clínicos. Por lo tanto, realizamos un análisis sistemático para ofrecer una descripción general de las publicaciones que han surgido en el ámbito de las intervenciones basadas en la conciencia plena para parejas y otras díadas. En general, dieciséis estudios cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Para resumir las publicaciones cuantitativas heterogéneas con respecto a los resultados individuales, las intervenciones de conciencia plena para parejas parecen aumentar la conciencia, la autocompasión, el bienestar y la calidad de vida. Además, descubrimos pruebas iniciales de efectos beneficiosos en el alivio de los síntomas psicopatológicos y en las valoraciones de estrés psicobiológico. Las valoraciones de la calidad de la relación fueron el resultado diádico predominante. Sobre la base de estos estudios, llegamos prudentemente a la conclusión de que las capacitaciones en conciencia plena pueden mejorar la calidad de la relación. Los profesionales deben estar al tanto de que las intervenciones para parejas basadas en la conciencia plena pueden mejorar la calidad de la relación percibida entre los integrantes de la pareja y el agobio individual. Los estudios futuros deben ampliar el ámbito, particularmente con respecto a otras prácticas contemplativas para parejas, como las intervenciones centradas en la compasión.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy with traumatized couples-Improvement of relationship quality and psychological symptoms.

Many traumatised individuals suffering from deployment related PTSD report severe problems in their relationships. Up until now, the therapeutic interventions used by the German Armed Forces have rarely targeted these problems through the integration of partners. For this reason, a Program designed specifically for couples was developed. In this prospective study equine-assisted psychotherapy was applied to soldiers and their spouses. The study population consisted of n = 36 couples, divided in n = 20 therapy group with a inpatient equine-assisted intervention and a 16-couples control group. After the intervention, numerous significant improvements occurred in the therapy group in the areas of current, somatic and communication problems, depressive symptoms and partnership quality but not in the control group. PTSD was reduced significantly on the sub-scale associated with negative thoughts. These results show that the intervention is an effective way to improve partnership quality and reduce the stressors that the partners of afflicted service members face.

Couple Communication in Cancer: Protocol for a Multi-Method Examination.

Cancer and its treatment pose challenges that affect not only patients but also their significant others, including intimate partners. Accumulating evidence suggests that couples' ability to communicate effectively plays a major role in the psychological adjustment of both individuals and the quality of their relationship. Two key conceptual models have been proposed to account for how couple communication impacts psychological and relationship adjustment: the social-cognitive processing (SCP) model and the relationship intimacy (RI) model. These models posit different mechanisms and outcomes, and thus have different implications for intervention. The purpose of this project is to test and compare the utility of these models using comprehensive and methodologically rigorous methods. Aims are: (1) to examine the overall fit of the SCP and RI models in explaining patient and partner psychological and relationship adjustment as they occur on a day-to-day basis and over the course of 1 year; (2) to examine the fit of the models for different subgroups (males vs. females, and patients vs. partners); and (3) to examine the utility of various methods of assessing communication by examining the degree to which baseline indices from different measurement strategies predict self-reported adjustment at 1-year follow up. The study employs a longitudinal, multi-method approach to examining communication processes including: standard self-report questionnaires assessing process and outcome variables collected quarterly over the course of 1 year; smartphone-based ecological momentary assessments to sample participant reports in real time; and laboratory-based couple conversations from which we derive observational measures of communicative behavior and affective expression, as well as vocal indices of emotional arousal. Participants are patients with stage II-IV breast, colon, rectal, or lung cancer and their spouses/partners, recruited from two NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers. Results will be published in scientific journals, presented at scientific conferences, and conveyed to a larger audience through infographics and social media outlets. Findings will inform theory, measurement, and the design and implementation of efficacious interventions aimed at optimizing both patient and partner well-being.

Mindfulnes-Based Stress Reduction for Older Couples with Metabolic Syndrome: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the feasibility and explored the physical, psychological, relational, and biological effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), an 8-week standardized mindfulness program, involving older married couples (60 years or older) with metabolic syndrome (one or both partners had metabolic syndrome). We also explored gender differences. METHODS: A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) compared MBSR to a Wait List Control (WLC) arm at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up clinic visits. Twenty-two spouses (11 couples) self-reported stress, physical and mental functioning, mindfulness, and relationship satisfaction at each time point. Fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference were measured. MBSR couples answered questions about partner influences on participation, adherence, and practice at the post-intervention visit. RESULTS: In terms of adherence to MBSR sessions, four of the six couples attended all 10 sessions; one couple attended 7; and one wife attended 6 and her husband attended 5 sessions. In terms of efficacy, there were no significant intervention effects; however, there were significant gender by intervention effects. Pre- to post-intervention, MBSR wives displayed greater increases in physical functioning (ß = 1.18, t(36) = 3.17, p = .003) and relationship satisfaction (ß = .72, t(36) = 2.81, p = .007) than WLC wives. Effects for husbands were not significant. Qualitatively, participants reported encouragement and increased relationship closeness. CONCLUSIONS: Engaging in MBSR as a couple to address symptoms of metabolic syndrome was well-received and feasible. Preliminary effects suggest more benefits for wives than husbands in terms of physical functioning and relational well-being.