Efficacy of mobile phone intervention to increase male partner antenatal care attendance for HIV testing in Moshi municipal, Tanzania: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: HIV partner counselling and testing in antenatal care (ANC) is a crucial strategy to raise the number of males who know their HIV status. However, in many settings like Tanzania, male involvement in antenatal care remains low, and there is a definite need for innovative strategies to increase male partner involvement. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of mobile phone intervention increase male partner ANC attendance for HIV testing in Moshi municipal, Tanzania. METHODS: Between April and July 2022, we enrolled pregnant women presenting to a first ANC visit at Majengo and St. Joseph reproductive health facilities without their male partners. Eligible pregnant women were randomly assigned to invitation of their male partners either via phone calls, text messages from clinic staff and verbal invites from pregnant partners (intervention arm) or verbal invites only from the pregnant partners (control arm). Neither healthcare provider nor participant were blinded. The primary outcome was the proportion of male partners who attended ANC with their pregnant partners during a follow-up period of two consecutive visits. The secondary outcome measure was HIV testing among male partners following the invitation. Participants were analyzed as originally assigned (intention to treat). RESULTS: A total of 350 pregnant women presenting to ANC for the first time were enrolled, with 175 women enrolled in each arm. The efficacy of male attendance with their pregnant women following the invitations was 83.4% (147/175) in the intervention arm and 46.3% (81/175) in the control arm. Overall, the results suggest a positive and statistically significant average treatment effect among men who received mobile phone intervention on ANC attendance. For the secondary outcome, the percent of male partners who accepted HIV counselling and testing was 99.3% (146/147) in the intervention arm and 93.8% (76/81) in the control arm. Married men were having higher odds of ANC attendance compared with single men (aOR:6.40(3.26-12.56), Males with multigravida women were having lower odds of ANC attendance compared with primigravida women (aOR:0.17(0.09-0.33). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that supplementing verbal invitations with mobile phone calls and text messages from clinic staff can significantly increase male partner ANC attendance and HIV testing. This combined approach is recommended in improving ANC attendance and HIV testing of male partners who do not accompany their pregnant partners to antenatal clinics in the first visits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PACTR202209769991162.

Partner support for women's antidepressant treatment and its association with depressive symptoms in pregnant women, mothers, and women planning pregnancy.

PURPOSE: To examine the association between partner support for women's antidepressant treatment and depressive symptoms in pregnant women, those planning pregnancy, and mothers who ever used antidepressants. METHODS: We included 334 women (n=44 planners, n=182 pregnant, n=108 mothers) ever treated with antidepressants within the HEALTHx2 study, a web-based cross-sectional study conducted across Norway in June 2020 to June 2021. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and two questions of the Patient Health Questionnaire measured depressive symptoms, by degree of severity and for depressed mood, anxiety, and anhedonia sub-dimensions. Partner support was measured using one item from the Antidepressant Compliance Questionnaire. Association was estimated via unadjusted and adjusted linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Being unsupported by the partner was associated with increased odds of reporting moderate-to-very-severe depressive symptoms in mothers (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 3.57; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-12.19) and pregnant women (aOR, 3.26; 95% CI, 0.95-11.14), relative to being supported. Pregnant women (adjusted mean difference (ß), 0.76; 95% CI, 0.14-1.38) and mothers (ß, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.23-1.64) with no support for their antidepressant treatment presented greater symptoms of anhedonia; for women planning pregnancy, this association emerged in relation to anxiety symptoms (ß among non-users of antidepressant, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.04-4.13). CONCLUSIONS: Partner support for women's antidepressant treatment may play a key role in depressive symptoms severity and the subtypes of anhedonia and anxiety, among women planning pregnancy, pregnant women, and mothers. This highlights the importance of partner inclusion in the complex decision-making process for antidepressant treatment around the time of pregnancy.

Predictors of quitting support from nonsmoking mothers for smoking fathers: a cross-sectional study from Chinese pupils' families.

BACKGROUND: Quitting support from smokers' partners can predict quit attempts and smoking abstinence but research on factors that predict such support has been limited. To add more evidence for partner support and the improved interventions for smoking cessation, we analyzed some new potential predictors of quitting support from smokers' spouses. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in in 2022 and 2023, selecting the students' families in which fathers smoked and mothers didn't smoke from grade 1-5 of 13 primary schools in Qingdao, China. Parents who met the criteria completed the online questionnaires and 1018 families were included in the analysis. We measured personal information related to smokers and their spouses such as age, education and nicotine dependence, and variables related to family and marital relationship such as family functioning, perceived responsiveness and power in decision-making of quitting smoking. Quitting support from smokers' spouses was measured by Partner Interaction Questionnaire and generalized linear model was used to explore the potential predictors of partner support. RESULTS: In this study, the mean age of smokers was 39.97(SD = 5.57) and the mean age of smokers' spouses was 38.24(SD = 4.59). The regression analysis showed that for smokers and their spouses, the older age groups showed the lower ratio of positive/negative support(P < 0.05) and smokers with high education showed the less positive and negative partner support(P < 0.05). Nicotine dependence was positively associated with negative support (ß = 0.120, P < 0.01), and perceived responsiveness (ß = 0.124, P < 0.05) as well as family functioning (ß = 0.059, P < 0.05) was positively associated with positive support. These three factors were associated with ratio of positive/negative support(P < 0.05). In addition, power of smoker's spouse in decision-making of quitting smoking was positively associated with the positive (ß = 0.087, P < 0.001) and negative support (ß = 0.084, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine dependence, family functioning, power in decision-making of quitting smoking and perceived responsiveness were found to be the predictors of quitting support from smokers' spouses. By incorporating predictors of partner support and integrating some established theories that can improve family functioning and marital relationships, smoking cessation interventions can be further improved.

Cumulative childhood interpersonal trauma and parental stress: The role of partner support.

Parents who have experienced cumulative childhood interpersonal trauma (CCIT, i.e., an accumulation of different types of abuse) tend to experience higher parental stress following the birth of a child. As CCIT is associated with lower levels of partner support, which is linked to increased parental stress, partner support could explain the link between CCIT and parental stress. Yet, these variables have never been studied using a dyadic approach. This study examined the role of received and provided partner support in the association between CCIT and parental stress. A randomly selected sample of 1119 couples with infants completed online questionnaires assessing CCIT, partner support, and parental stress. An actor-partner interdependence model path analysis showed that both parents' CCIT were associated with increased paternal stress through fathers' lower received and provided support, and with increased maternal stress through mothers' received and provided support. Overall, the findings highlight the significance of examining the interdependence between both parents' experience and the role of partner support as a key factor explaining the link between CCIT and parental stress, thereby emphasizing its importance as an intervention target.

Bed partner perception of CPAP therapy on relationship satisfaction and intimacy-A European perspective from the ESADA network.

Obstructive sleep apnea increases morbidity and mortality risks. The most common treatment is continuous positive airway pressure, with nasal mask usage being important, but not always optimal. While most research on treatment adherence focuses on the patient, the bed partner's involvement may be detrimental. Our study aim is to obtain a European-wide picture of the bed partner's attitude and support towards continuous positive airway pressure therapy, including effects on relationship satisfaction and intimacy. The English translation of a German bed partner questionnaire, assessing relationship satisfaction and three major components (general attitude, perceived mask looks, intimacy effects) was distributed within the European Sleep Apnea Database Network and translated in participating countries' local language. Data were collected for 2 years. In total, 10 European countries (13 sleep centres) participated with 1546 questionnaires. Overall, 91% of bed partners had a positive attitude towards continuous positive airway pressure therapy, 86% perceived mask looks not negative, 64% stated no negative intimacy effects. More specifically, 71% mentioned improved sleep quality, 68% supported nightly device usage. For 41% of bed partners, relationship satisfaction increased (no change for 47%). These results were significantly more pronounced in Eastern/Southern Europe compared with Middle Europe, especially regarding intimacy effects. However, increased continuous positive airway pressure therapy length affected attitude negatively. These results provide necessary information to improve treatment strategies by including educational couple-focused approaches. Among others, we revealed that negative intimacy effects are not considered a barrier to continuous positive airway pressure adherence. These results may inspire more research identifying regional gaps with need for treatment adjustments.

The role of the partner in the support of a pregnant woman's healthy diet: an explorative qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Active partner involvement during pregnancy is an effective strategy to enhance both maternal and newborn health outcomes. The presence of a supportive partner equips women with a heightened sense of empowerment to deal with the challenges of pregnancy, including maintaining a healthy diet during pregnancy, which is important for the health of both the mother and child. However, little information exists regarding the partner's role in encouraging a pregnant woman's healthy dietary choices. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of pregnant women and their partners concerning the partner's role in promoting a healthy dietary intake during pregnancy. METHODS: Sixteen semi-structured couple interviews were conducted in the Netherlands, involving expecting couples. Based on Berkman's social networks and support theory, we categorized various forms of support as emotional, instrumental, appraisal, and informational. The interviews were accurately recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using an inductive approach. RESULTS: In general, pregnant women reported being positive regarding the support they received from their partners. Partners primarily offered instrumental support to pregnant women, such as cooking, grocery shopping, and helping them avoid unsafe foods. Partners provided informational support, mainly about foods considered unsafe during pregnancy. Emotional support was relatively less common. The primary motives for giving support were pregnancy-related symptoms, the importance of the health of the mother and baby, and solidarity with the pregnant woman. Support from the partner was more willingly accepted by pregnant women if the support was perceived as being helpful, showing involvement, and positive. Conversely, partner support was not accepted if it was perceived as judgmental or unwanted. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of pregnant women were satisfied with the support received from their partners, although there are opportunities for a partner to provide more support to improve the dietary intake of pregnant women. To optimise this support, partners are advised to tailor their support to the needs and expectations of pregnant women. Personalizing dietary support can be achieved by couples communicating their dietary wishes and expectations regarding support.

Testing effects of partner support and use of oral contraception during relationship formation on severity of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: A recent study focusing on dietary predictors of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) found that women with higher levels of partner support, and those who had used oral contraception (OC) when they met the father, both tended to report less severe NVP compared with previous non-users or those with less supportive partners. We provide a further test of these factors, using a large sample of women from four countries who retrospectively scored their NVP experience during their first pregnancy. METHODS: We recruited women who had at least one child to participate in a retrospective online survey. In total 2321 women completed our questionnaire including items on demographics, hormonal contraception, NVP, and partner support. We used general linear models and path analysis to analyse our data. RESULTS: Women who had used OC when they met the father of their first child tended to report lower levels of NVP, but the effect size was small and did not survive adding the participant's country to the model. There was no relationship between NVP and partner support in couples who were still together, but there was a significant effect among those couples that had since separated: women whose ex-partner had been relatively supportive reported less severe NVP. Additional analyses showed that women who were older during their first pregnancy reported less severe NVP, and there were also robust differences between countries. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide further evidence for multiple influences on women's experience of NVP symptoms, including levels of perceived partner support.

The importance of high-quality partner support for reducing stress during pregnancy and postpartum bonding impairments.

The current study investigated the extent to which interparental support reduced pregnancy stress and subsequent postpartum bonding impairments with infant. We hypothesized that receiving higher quality partner support would be associated with decreased maternal pregnancy-related concerns, and less maternal and paternal pregnancy stress which, in turn, would predict fewer parent-infant bonding impairments. One hundred fifty-seven cohabiting couples completed semi-structured interviews and questionnaires once during pregnancy and twice postpartum. Path analyses with tests of mediation were employed to test our hypotheses. Higher quality support received by mothers was associated with lower maternal pregnancy stress which, in turn, predicted fewer mother-infant bonding impairments. An indirect pathway of equal magnitude was observed for fathers. Dyadic pathways also emerged such that higher quality support received by fathers was associated with lower maternal pregnancy stress which reduced mother-infant bonding impairments. Similarly, higher quality support received by mothers reduced paternal pregnancy stress and subsequent father-infant bonding impairments. Hypothesized effects reaching statistical significance (p < .05) were small to moderate in magnitude. These findings have important theoretical and clinical implications in demonstrating the critical role of both receiving and providing high-quality interparental support to reduce pregnancy stress and subsequent postpartum bonding impairments for mothers and fathers. Results also highlight the utility of investigating maternal mental health in the couple context.

Partner-Support and Gestational Duration Among Pregnant Women Who Smoke.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women who smoke are at a high risk of preterm birth (PTB) and have low partner-support. In a prospective cohort study, we aimed to examine the role of partner-support in gestational duration and PTB among pregnant women who smoke as well as the interaction with race/ethnicity. METHODS: We analyzed secondary data of 53 participants from the University at Buffalo Pregnancy and Smoking Cessation Study. Partner-support was measured with Turner's support scale where women reported how much they agreed with five statements about how supportive their partner was. Total partner-support was calculated and split into emotional support and accountability. We fit multivariable linear regression models and log-binomial regression models for gestational duration and PTB, respectively. RESULTS: Gestational duration significantly increased with partner-support (0.22 weeks longer per unit increment in partner-support score), emotional support (0.52 weeks), and accountability (0.35 weeks). This association tended to be stronger among Hispanics and women of other races than non-Hispanic Caucasians and African Americans. Women with a bed partner had 1.48 weeks longer gestational duration than women without a bed partner. DISCUSSION: Partner-support may increase gestational duration and reduce PTB risk among pregnant women who smoke, especially among Hispanic women. Sharing a bed with a partner was associated with a longer gestational duration. Our findings may be interpreted with caution due to limitations such as small sample size, recruitment within a single metropolitan area, and partner-support measurement via maternal reports only. A partner-support intervention to increase gestational duration is warranted.

Partner-support might help increase gestational duration and possibly reduce risk of preterm birth, and future research is needed to replicate our findings in larger samples. Pregnant women who smoke are at a high risk for short gestational duration and preterm birth (PTB) and have low partner-support. Previous research did not address the potential racial/ethnic differences in the influence of partner-support on PTB. We found partner-support might increase gestational duration and possibly reduce PTB risk among pregnant women who smoke. The association between partner-support and gestational duration tended to be stronger among Hispanics and women of other races than Non-Hispanic Caucasians and African Americans.

The role of partner support for health behaviours in people living with and beyond cancer: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to qualitatively explore how partner support for health behaviours is perceived, received, and utilised in people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC). METHODS: Semi-structured audio interviews were conducted with 24 participants, 15 men and nine women, living with and beyond breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. Inductive and deductive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Three key themes with six subthemes were identified relating to partner support for health behaviours: (1) Interdependence (Reciprocity, Overt Control, Influence & Motivation) (2) Concordance (Shared Attitudes & Health Beliefs, Shared Health Behaviour) and (3) Communal Coping (Communal Orientation towards Health and Decision Making, Co-operative Action in Health Behaviour). CONCLUSIONS: Partner support plays a unique and significant role in the health behaviours of people LWBC. Partners play a collaborative role in managing health and facilitating health behaviours, while the high level of concordance in couples may represent a potential barrier to change via the reinforcement of maladaptive health beliefs and behaviours. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Overall, findings demonstrate that partners should be considered and included where possible when designing future behaviour change interventions for people LWBC.

Enduring COVID-19 lockdowns: Risk versus resilience in parents' health and family functioning across the pandemic.

Have the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic risked declines in parents' health and family functioning, or have most parents been resilient and shown no changes in health and family functioning? Assessing average risk versus resilience requires examining how families have fared across the pandemic, beyond the initial months examined in prior investigations. The current research examines changes in parents' health and functioning over the first 1.5 years of the pandemic. Parents (N = 272) who had completed general pre-pandemic assessments completed reassessments of psychological/physical health, couple/family functioning, and parenting within two mandatory lockdowns in New Zealand: at the beginning of the pandemic (26 March-28 April 2020) and 17 months later (18 August-21 September 2021). Parents exhibited average declines in psychological/physical health (greater depressive symptoms; reduced well-being, energy and physical health) and in couple/family functioning (reduced commitment and family cohesion; greater problem severity and family chaos). By contrast, there were no average differences in parent-child relationship quality and parenting practices across lockdowns. Declines in health and couple/family functioning occurred irrespective of pre-pandemic health and functioning, but partner support buffered declines in couple/family functioning. The results emphasize that attending to the challenges parents and couples face in the home will be important to mitigate and recover from the impact of the pandemic on parents' and children's well-being.

The psychosexual effects of risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in female BRCA1/2 mutation carriers: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that up to 20% of ovarian cancers have an inherited genetic etiology with the most common being BRCA1/2 mutations. For women with these mutations risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) to reduce the risk of primary ovarian cancer is often performed, however the surgery results in immediate onset of surgical menopause. AIM: The aim of this systematic review was to explore the psychosexual impacts of risk reducing bilateral salpingo oophorectomy in the published qualitative literature. METHODS: PubMed, Medline, Web of Science and PsycInfo were searched for qualitative papers that looked at the psychosexual impact of RRBSO on individuals who were pre-menopausal at the time of surgery. Studies were quality assessed using Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and Standard for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR) checklists and data were extracted. Thematic synthesis of the results was performed. RESULTS: Of 143 papers identified in searching, 5 qualitative papers were identified relating to interviews with 115 women after RRBSO published between 2000 and 2020. The quality of the papers was moderate. Five different themes were identified related to individual experiences with RRBSO: (1) information needs, (2) psychological impact, (3) psychosexual impact, (4) partner support and (5) hormone replacement therapy (HRT). CONCLUSION: Individual experiences of RRBSO were varied and influenced by multiple factors but psychosexual problems were common, often caused significant distress to the women and their partners and were often poorly explained before surgery. Women do not feel adequately prepared for the psychological and sexual side effects of RRBSO. The qualitative data provides invaluable insight into the individual experiences of women and can be used to better help women mitigate the effects of the surgery.

Male engagement guidelines in antenatal care: unintended consequences for pregnant women in Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: The meaningful engagement of male partners in antenatal care (ANC) can positively impact maternal and newborn health outcomes. The Tanzania National Plan for the Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV recommends male partners attend the first ANC appointment as a strategy for HIV prevention and treatment. This recommendation seeks to increase uptake of HIV and reproductive healthcare services, but unintended consequences of these guidelines may negatively impact women's ANC experiences. This study qualitatively examined the impact of policy promoting male engagement on women's ANC experiences. METHODS: The study was conducted in two urban clinics in Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 participants (13 women and 6 male partners) attending a first ANC appointment. A semi-structured guide was developed, applying Kabeer's Social Relations Approach. Data were analyzed using applied thematic analysis, combining memo writing, coding, synthesis, and comparison of themes. RESULTS: Male attendance impacted the timing of women's presentation to ANC and experience during the first ANC visit. Women whose partners could not attend delayed their presentation to first ANC due to fears of being interrogated or denied care because of their partner absence. Women presenting with partners were given preferential treatment by clinic staff, and women without partners felt discriminated against. Women perceived that the clinic prioritized men's HIV testing over involvement in pregnancy care. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings indicate the need to better assess and understand the unintended impact of policies promoting male partner attendance at ANC. Although male engagement can benefit the health outcomes of mothers and newborn children, our findings demonstrate the need for improved methods of engaging men in ANC. ANC clinics should identify ways to make clinic settings more male friendly, utilize male attendance as an opportunity to educate and engage men in pregnancy and newborn care. At the same time, clinic policies should be cognizant to not discriminate against women presenting without a partner.

Attachment styles, negotiation of goal conflict, and perceived partner support during COVID-19.

Due to the pandemic, people have been stuck indoors with their partners for months. Instead of being able to rely on multiple sources of support, many couples have to rely on each other more. We investigated whether goal conflict, successful negotiation of the conflict, and individual differences in attachment styles were associated with perceived partner support to understand factors that may enable or hinder goal pursuit during the pandemic. Participants (n = 200) completed a daily diary for a week and weekly longitudinal reports for five weeks. Results showed that higher goal conflict predicted perception of less relational catalyst (RC) support and more anti-RC support from partner, whereas more successful negotiation of goal conflict predicted higher RC support and lower anti-RC support. Attachment avoidance was directly associated with less support whereas attachment anxiety moderated the relationship between goal conflict and support. Implications for partner support during the pandemic are discussed.

Cooperation or Tension? Dyadic Coping in Cystic Fibrosis.

Following a rise in the life expectancy of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, many adults with CF form couple relationships. Yet, dyadic coping has not been previously examined in people with CF. This study examined how adults with CF and their partners cope as a couple with the illness, and what meanings each partner and the couple as a unit attribute to the experience. Seventeen adult CF patients and their partners participated in separate semi-structured in-depth interviews. Two main patterns of dyadic coping with CF were identified as follows: cooperation and tension. For couples in cooperation, the marital relationship served as a resource for adaptive coping. These couples were characterized by similarities in their perception of the place of CF in their lives and of their roles in the marital relationship. Couples in tension described the couple relationship as strained by difficulty of accepting the disease, proliferation of negative emotions, and a sense of burden and loneliness in the process of coping. Findings point to the importance of mutual empathy, clear and accepted division of roles between the partners, and open communication for facilitating coping as a couple.

Después de un aumento de la expectativa de vida de los pacientes con fibrosis quística, muchos adultos con fibrosis quística forman relaciones de pareja. Sin embargo, no se ha analizado previamente el afrontamiento diádico en personas con esta enfermedad. Este estudio analizó cómo los adultos con fibrosis quística y sus parejas afrontan como pareja la enfermedad, y qué significados cada integrante de la pareja y la pareja como unidad atribuyen a la experiencia. Diecisiete pacientes adultos con fibrosis quística y sus parejas participaron en entrevistas individuales, detalladas y semiestructuradas. Se identificaron dos patrones principales de afrontamiento diádico de la fibrosis quística: la cooperación y la tensión. En las parejas del patrón de cooperación, la relación conyugal sirvió como recurso para el afrontamiento adaptativo. Estas parejas se caracterizaron por similitudes en su percepción del lugar que ocupa la fibrosis quística en sus vidas y de sus roles en la relación conyugal. Las parejas del patrón de tensión describieron la relación de pareja como deteriorada por la dificultad de aceptar la enfermedad, la proliferación de emociones negativas y una sensación de carga y soledad en el proceso de afrontamiento. Los resultados señalan la importancia de la empatía mutua, una división clara y aceptada de los roles entre los integrantes de la pareja y una comunicación abierta para facilitar el afrontamiento como pareja.

The moderating role of pain catastrophizing on the relationship between partner support and pain intensity: a daily diary study in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The objective of this study was to examine the day-to-day associations between partner support, pain catastrophizing and pain intensity in individuals with end-stage knee osteoarthritis. In this microlongitudinal cohort study, participants (N = 124) with end-stage knee osteoarthritis completed baseline measures of trait pain catastrophizing and negative affect. Participants also provided daily diary assessments of partner support, pain catastrophizing and pain intensity for a period of 7 days using a personal digital assistant. Multilevel analyses revealed that day-to-day fluctuations in pain catastrophizing were associated with pain intensity. Data from multilevel analyses indicated that the main effect of partner support was not significantly associated with pain intensity. Results also indicated the interactions between partner support and both trait and state pain catastrophizing were significant, suggesting that both trait and state pain catastrophizing moderated the relationship between daily partner support and pain intensity. That is, on days when participants experienced low levels of partner support, high catastrophizers reported higher levels of pain intensity than low catastrophizers. In the presence of higher levels of partner support, pain intensity did not differ between high and low catastrophizers. These results are consistent with the Communal Coping Model of pain catastrophizing, and highlight the interpersonal context within which pain catastrophizing impacts pain outcomes. These findings also suggest that future interventions designed to specifically target the dynamic between pain catastrophizing and partner support may improve pain outcomes in individuals with end-stage knee OA.

The role of partner support, ego-resiliency, prenatal attitudes towards maternity and pregnancy in psychological well-being of women in high-risk and low-risk pregnancy.

We have shown by multiple regression analyses that partner support (as an external source of support) and ego-resiliency (as a personality trait and internal source of support) are significant factors contributing to pregnant women's satisfaction with many different domains of psychological well-being (PWB), such as positive relations with others, self-acceptance, and environmental mastery, facilitating better psychological adaptation to pregnancy and motherhood. Type of pregnancy (high-risk or low-risk) is important for two areas of PWB of pregnant women, namely positive relations with others and self-acceptance. The attitudes towards maternity and pregnancy are weaker predictor than ego-resiliency and partner support and they are significant only for one PWB dimension - autonomy. Positive or negative attitudes towards motherhood and the unborn child depend on the education level. They are less stable factors than ego-resiliency. Empirical evidence is found for the moderating role of the pregnancy type (low- vs. high-risk) in the relationships between support from partner and two dimensions of PWB: positive relations with others and purpose in life. The received partner support helps women in high-risk pregnancy with positive psychological functioning, especially in maintaining the belief that their life is purposeful and in sustaining quality relationships with others.

The Combined Effect of Psychological and Relational Aspects on Cardiac Patient Activation.

The literature assumes that activating patients in the treatment is associated with positive health-related outcomes, such as clinical indicators in the normal range, high medication adherence, and low emergency department utilization. In the cardiac population, patient activation, that is the patient's knowledge, skills, confidence, and behaviors needed for managing one's own health and health care, has been less investigated. In addition, limited attention has been given to the role of the partner as an informal caregiver. However, the patient in the care process is rarely alone, and the partner may play a key role in this process. The goal of this dyadic study (N = 100 heterosexual couples with one partner suffering from an acute cardiac event) is to analyze how individual factors (patients' anxiety, depression, medication adherence, pessimistic perception of illness) and the couple's relationship functioning (e.g., different kinds of partner support and dyadic coping) are associated with patient activation. The results showed that patient activation is not a mere question of age. It is positively related to medication adherence and to the partner's support patient activation. It is negatively correlated with the patient's psychological distress, pessimistic perception of illness, and to the partner's hostility. The need for a dyadic approach to both research and intervention with this population is discussed.

Supporting partners of mothers with severe mental illness through text - a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: During the perinatal period, partners of mothers with severe mental illness (SMI) play an important role in managing the new baby and supporting the mothers' wellbeing. Providing information via mobile phone on infant care, partner support and self-care may assist partners in their support role. METHOD: Partners (n = 23) of mothers with SMI were enrolled in a partner-focused SMS service sending brief texts 14 times per month for a maximum of 10 months. Partners (n = 16) were interviewed on exit and their responses analysed for acceptability and perceived usefulness of the texts. RESULTS: Partners remained with the programme and expressed high acceptability of the texts. Participants identified effects such as increased knowledge of and interaction with their baby; effective support for their partner; and reassurance that 'things were normal'. Few partners sought support for their own mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Texts supplied to mobile phones of partners of new mothers with SMI may increase partners' support. The texts in this study were acceptable to partners and were reported to enhance a partner's focus on the mother's needs, raise the partner's awareness of the infant's needs, and support the partner's confidence and competence in infant care.

Male callers to an Australian perinatal depression and anxiety help line-Understanding issues and concerns.

There is increasing recognition of the issues facing men in the perinatal period. Vulnerability factors and issues in the partner relationship contribute to mental health risk and can impact the quality of the father-infant relationship. Yet, there is limited understanding of fathers' help-seeking when they or their partner are experiencing mental health issues in the context of caring for a new baby. The present study examines fathers' contacts with the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Australia (PANDA) National Helpline. The study reviewed contacts from fathers and their identified needs for assistance, relationship issues, and support needs; 70% of male callers (N = 129) reported concerns about the mother's mental health, and 57% were concerned about relationship breakdown. Significant numbers of men raised issues about their own mental health (43%) and many were concerned about the impact of maternal mental state on the relationship with the infant. When compared to community data, there were elevated rates of concerns about depression and anxiety. Men also described difficulties with the fathering role and with regulating their own feelings of guilt and frustration. These findings highlight the needs of men for support when a mother experiences perinatal problems and also the risk for distress in fathers.

Hay un incremento en el reconocimiento de los asuntos que enfrentan los hombres en el período perinatal.  Los factores de vulnerabilidad y asuntos en la relación con la pareja contribuyen al riesgo de salud mental y pueden tener impacto en la calidad de la relación papá-infante.  Aun así, hay una comprensión limitada acerca de la búsqueda de ayuda por parte de los papás cuando ellos o sus parejas están experimentando asuntos de salud mental en el contexto de cuidar a un nuevo bebé.  El presente estudio examina el contacto de los papás con la línea de ayuda nacional Ansiedad y Depresión Perinatal Australia (PANDA). El estudio revisó contactos de papás y sus identificadas necesidades para la asistencia, asuntos de la relación y necesidades de apoyo: 70% de los varones que llamaron (N = 129) reportaron preocupaciones acerca de la salud mental de la madre y 57% estaban preocupados acerca del rompimiento de la relación.  Un significativo número de hombres presentaron asuntos acerca de su propia salud mental (43%) y muchos estaban preocupados sobre el impacto del estado mental materno en la relación con el infante. Cuando se compara con la información comunitaria, hubo puntajes elevados de preocupaciones acerca de la depresión y la ansiedad. Los hombres también describieron dificultades con el papel de ser padres y con la forma de regular sus propios sentimientos de culpa y frustración.  Estos resultados subrayan las necesidades de los hombres de apoyo cuando una madre experimenta un problema perinatal y también el riesgo de angustia en los papás.

Les problèmes auxquels font face les hommes durant la période périnatale sont de plus en plus reconnus. Des facteurs et des problèmes de vulnérabilité dans la relation au partenaire contribuent au risque de santé mentale et peuvent avoir un impact sur la qualité de la relation père-enfant. Cependant on n'a que des connaissances limitées de l'appel à l'aide des pères lorsqu'ils font ou lorsque leur partenaire fait l'expérience de problèmes de santé mentale dans le contexte du soin à un nouveau-né. Cette étude a examiné les contacts des pères avec la ligne téléphonique nationale australienne pour l'anxiété et la dépression périnatales, abrégée PANDA selon l'anglais. Cette étude a passé en revue les contacts de pères et leurs besoins identifiés d'assistance et de soutien pour des problèmes liés à une relation: 70% des hommes ayant téléphoné (N = 129) ont fait état d'inquiétude à propos de la santé mentale de la mère et 57% étaient inquiets de la désintégration de la relation. Un nombre important d'hommes ont parlé de leur propre santé mentale (43%) et beaucoup d'entre eux étaient inquiets à propos de l'impact de l'état mental maternel sur la relation avec le nourrisson. Comparé aux données communautaires, on a trouvé des niveau élevés d'inquiétude sur la dépression et l'anxiété. Ces hommes ont aussi décrit des difficultés avec le rôle de père et avec la régulation de leurs propres sentiments de culpabilité et de frustration. Ces résultats mettent en évidence les besoins qu'ont les hommes de soutien quand une mère fait l'expérience d'un problème périnatal, et aussi le risque de détresse chez les pères.