Childbirth, trauma and family relationships.

Background: Childbirth is a major life event with expected positive outcomes, yet for some women postnatal psychopathological symptoms may harm women's interpersonal relationships. We hypothesized that higher levels of postnatal depression, post-traumatic stress (PTSD) symptoms, and fear of childbirth would be associated with mother-baby bond disorders and relationship dissatisfaction in couples.Method: A cross-sectional self-report online questionnaire was used to survey partnered women who had delivered in the year prior to the study. We used a convenience sample of 228 women recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Childbirth experience, PTSD symptoms, attachment style, depression, mother-baby bond disorders, and couple relationship dissatisfaction were measured.Results: Women with higher PTSD and postnatal depression scores reported higher levels of mother-baby bond disorders-a relationship fully mediated by postnatal depression symptoms. Women who perceived childbirth as fearful or anxiety provoking had higher levels of PTSD and postnatal depression symptoms. Fearful and anxious birth perception was positively associated with mother-baby bond disorders-an association partly mediated by PTSD symptoms. Insecure attachment style was not found to be significantly associated with fearful or anxious perceptions of childbirth.Limitations: Women who have postnatal PTSD/depression are less inclined to participate in a study of this nature. Also, online surveys prevented the use of clinical diagnoses of PTSD and depression.Discussion and conclusions: Our results suggest that PTSD and postnatal depression affect women's mental health and family bonding. Women should be assessed for negative traumatic birth experiences, PTSD, and depression, to allow targeted observation for psychopathologies and therapeutic interventions.

Depression, not posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is related to increased couple dissatisfaction.Both PTSD and depression are related to increased mother-baby bond disorders.Fear of childbirth increases as symptoms of PTSD and depression increase.

Enfermedad y relación de pareja / Illness and Relationship

La enfermedad, especialmente las enfermedades crónicas y graves, pueden resultar abrumadoras no sólo para el enfermo sino también para la pareja y el entorno familiar. No resulta extraño, pues, que se produzcan disensiones en las relaciones intrafamiliares que abarcan todo el espectro posible, desde el divorcio a la reconciliación. Este artículo es una aproximación a algunas de las situaciones que pueden darse en este difícil equilibrio generado por la irrupción de una enfermedad real o imaginaria. La base del artículo son historias tomadas de la literatura si bien se incluye alguna anécdota ilustrativa tomada de la vida cotidiana, algún hecho real que añade verosimilitud a no pocas historias de ficción. En concreto, se comentan historias relacionadas con parejas que no se constituyen por la aparición de enfermedades, parejas que se rompen de forma muy precoz sin oportunidades para consolidarse. Otras veces, es el rechazo del enfermo a su propio medio lo que rompe la relación de pareja. Pero también hay parejas que se forman a pesar de la enfermedad o a causa de ella, o parejas en riesgo de separación que se consolidan cuando aparece la enfermedad, sin que sea anecdótico un doble comportamiento: ruptura inicial y reconciliación posterior. Tan compleja es la relación de pareja y tanta zozobra aporta la enfermedad a la misma. (AU)

The disease, especially chronic and serious diseases, can be overwhelming not only for the patient but also for the couple and the family environment. It is not surprising, then, that dissensions occur in intra-family relationships that cover the entire possible spectrum, from divorce to reconciliation. This article is an approach to some of the situations that can occur in this difficult balance generated by the outbreak of a real or imaginary disease. The basis of the article are stories taken from literature, although some illustrative anecdotes taken from everyday life are included, some real event that adds plausibility to many fictional stories. Specifically, stories related to couples that do not form due to the appearance of illnesses, couples that break up very early without opportunities to consolidate are discussed. Other times, it is the patient's rejection of his own environment that breaks the couple's relationship. But there are also couples that are formed despite the disease or because of it, or couples at risk of separation that are consolidated when the disease appears, without a double behavior being anecdotal: initial breakup and subsequent reconciliation. So complex is the couple's relationship and so much anxiety brings the disease to it. (AU)

Conjugalidade e parentalidade adotiva em casais de gays e lésbicas: costuras a partir da transmissão psíquica / Conyugalidad y parentalidad adoptiva en parejas gays y lesbianas: costuras a partir de la transmisión psíquica / Marital Relationships and Adoptive Parenthood in Gay and Lesbian Couples: Considerations Based on Psychic Transmission

A transmissão psíquica permite apreender processos que se repetem e se recriam em família ao longo das diferentes gerações. Esses elementos podem ser corporificados na conjugalidade e na parentalidade, ou seja, nos modos de ser pai/mãe e também casal. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a transmissão psíquica na construção da conjugalidade e da parentalidade em casais de gays e lésbicas com filhos por adoção. Foram entrevistados três casais com filhos com idades entre um e 11 anos. A análise temático-reflexiva evidenciou que as relações conjugais dos participantes parecem se diferenciar em termos dos modelos aprendidos/vivenciados com os próprios pais. Já a parentalidade parece se remeter aos comportamentos e práticas parentais experienciados ao longo da vida, embora sejam priorizadas relações mais próximas afetivamente nesses casais com seus filhos. A família de origem foi reconhecida como importante influência em termos do desejo de constituir uma família e para balizar as práticas parentais. As maiores rupturas, nesse sentido, foram observadas na construção da própria conjugalidade, não da parentalidade. Recomenda-se que estudos futuros sejam conduzidos também com os filhos por adoção, ampliando as inteligibilidades acerca do tema.

La transmisión psíquica permite aprehender procesos que se repiten y se recrean en familia a lo largo de las diferentes generaciones. Estos elementos pueden ser corporificados en la conyugalidad y en la parentalidad, es decir, en los modos de ser padre/madre y también pareja. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la transmisión psíquica en parejas gays y lesbianas con hijos adoptados. Se entrevistaron a tres parejas con hijos de edades varia-das de 1 a 11 años. El análisis temático evidenció que las relaciones conyugales de los participantes parecen diferenciarse en los modelos aprendidos/vivenciados con los propios padres. La parentalidad parece referirse a los comportamientos y prácticas parentales experimentados a lo largo de la vida, aunque se priorizan las relaciones más cercanas afectivamente en estas parejas con sus hijos. La familia de origen fue reconocida como una influencia importante en el deseo de constituir una familia y para balizar las prácticas parentales. Las mayores rupturas, en ese sentido, fueron observadas en la construcción de la propia conyugalidad, no de la parentalidad. Se recomienda que estudios futuros sean conducidos también con los hijos por adopción, para ampliar el conocimiento al respecto.

The psychic transmission allows us to apprehend repeated and recreated processes in families through different generations. These elements can be embodied in marital relationships and parenthood or in how we are parents and couples. This study aimed to investigate the psychic transmission in the construction of marital relationships and parenthood in gay and lesbian couples with adopted children. Three couples with children aged between one and eleven years were interviewed. The thematic analysis showed that the marital relationships of the participants seem to differ in terms of the models learned and experienced with their own parents. Parent-hood, on the other hand, seems to be based on parental behaviors and practices experienced through life, al-though more affective relationships are prioritized in these couples with their children. The family of origin was recognized as a determinant influence in terms of the desire to establish a family and validate parental practices. The greatest ruptures were observed in the construction of marital relationships, not of parenthood. It is recommended to do future studies with the adopted children to increase knowledge about this subject.

Impacto de la cercanía, toque afectivo y satisfacción con el apoyo de la pareja en los comportamientos saludables / Impact of closeness, affective touch and satisfaction with the couple´s support on healthy behaviors

RESUMEN Introducción: La pareja tiene efectos físicos y psicológicos sumamente positivos, especialmente cuando hay cercanía, debido al bienestar experimentado, toque afectivo, que enriquece la expresión de comprensión y satisfacción con el apoyo de la pareja, pues habrá mayor motivación para realizar comportamientos saludables. Objetivo: Identificar la magnitud, examinar las diferencias y conocer el grado de asociación de la cercanía, toque afectivo y satisfacción con el apoyo recibido por parte de la pareja en el empleo de comportamientos saludables. Método: Se trabajó con una muestra no probabilística de 194 hombres y 194 mujeres mexicanos integrantes de una relación de pareja heterosexual (edad M = 37), con escolaridad mínima de secundaria. Se aplicó una batería compuesta por instrumentos de medición psicológica validados para población mexicana y se realizó una serie de análisis de varianza con pruebas a posteriori de Scheffé y correlaciones producto momento de Pearson. Resultados: De los resultados se destaca que los grupos de mayor toque afectivo y satisfacción con el apoyo recibido emplean mayores comportamientos saludables de actividad y relajación. Por otra parte, para las mujeres, la cercanía se relaciona con mayores conductas de Actividad-relajación (0,168* según Pearson). Para los hombres, mayor satisfacción con el apoyo de su pareja propiciará que realicen mayores conductas de cuidado (0,157* según Pearson). Conclusión: Formar parte de una relación de pareja cercana, afectiva y donde el apoyo es satisfactorio crea un espacio para tener mejor calidad de vida y salud, por su influencia sobre actitudes, significados y conocimientos que determinan la adopción de conductas saludables.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The couple has extremely positive physical and psychological effects, especially when there is closeness, due to the experienced well-being, affective touch, which enriches the expression of compression and satisfaction with the support of the couple, since there will be greater motivation to perform healthy behaviors. Objective: Identify the magnitude, examine the differences and know the degree of association of closeness, affective touch and satisfaction with the support received from the couple in the use of healthy behaviors. Method: We worked with a non-probability sample of 194 Mexican men and 194 Mexican women who were members of a heterosexual couple relationship (age M = 37), with minimum middle school studies. A battery composed of validated psychological measurement instruments for the Mexican population was applied and a series of analysis of variance was performed with Scheffe´s posterior tests and Pearson´s product-moment correlations. Results: From the results, it is highlighted that the groups with the greatest affective touch and satis faction with the support received employ greater healthy behaviors of activity and relaxation. On the other hand, for women, closeness is related to greater Activity-relaxation behaviors (0,168* according to Pearson). For men, greater satisfaction with the support of their partner will lead to more caring behaviors (0,157* according to Pearson). Conclusion: Being part of a close, affective and supportive couple relationship creates a space to have better quality of life and health, due to its influence on attitudes, meanings and knowledge that determine the adoption of healthy behaviors.

Revisión de la investigación sobre relaciones de pareja en países hispanohablantes (2000-2018) / Review of the literature on couple relationships in Spanish-speaking countries (2000-2018)

Resumen La relación de pareja es una dimensión central de la vida de las personas que repercute en su felicidad y bienestar. Este tema es de interés para diversas disciplinas, teniendo un amplio recorrido en investigación, y ha sido abordado desde diferentes paradigmas y perspectivas de estudio. Con el objetivo de analizar las investigaciones llevadas a cabo sobre relaciones de pareja desde el año 2000 al 2018, se revisan 83 publicaciones localizadas tras una búsqueda exhaustiva en las principales bases de datos. Los resultados apuntan a que la mayoría de las investigaciones optan por una metodología exclusivamente cuantitativa, tienden a emplear instrumentos ya validados, cuentan con muestras de hasta 250 participantes y abordan temas clásicos como la satisfacción, la sexualidad o la comunicación en pareja. La información aportada permite obtener una visión global del tema de estudio y está encaminada a poder replicar, proponer nuevas o ampliar las investigaciones ya realizadas.

Abstract Couple relationships, as the fundamental basis of family relationships, is a crucial dimension within the lives of people that also impacts on their happiness and well-being. These relationships are underpinned by mutual caring and attachment bonds, which, properly developed, entail a source of emotional and social support. This support also contributes to build the identity, improve the social competence, and, ultimately, strengthen own and family well-being. This topic is likely to arouse the interest at a social and scientific level and is addressed from several disciplines such as Psychology, Sociology, Pedagogy, or Social Work. This interest has provided this topic with a broad overview in the related research, being addressed from different paradigms and study prospects. This study is aimed at analyzing the research conducted on couple relationships from 2000 to 2018 in Spanish-speaking countries. Therefore, we present a systematic review of 83 scientific publications retrieved after an extensive search in the main databases (WOS, SCOPUS, Dialnet Plus, Redalyc, and ISOC) and the search engine Google Scholar. Specifically, the study specifies the dimensions and variables that have been the subject of study among these relationships, their objectives and methods (with particular emphasis on the instruments used), and the sample type and size the authors deemed necessary. In addition to the year of publication and the geographical delimitation, it was also included as criteria the publication format (only scientific papers) and papers with a Social Sciences content with topics not related to violence. Results suggest that most researchers follow an entirely quantitative methodology, tend to use validated instruments, have samples up to 250 participants, and address traditional topics such as satisfaction, sexuality, and communication in couples. Also, the predominant trend is to focus on a single thematic content, being lower the presence of studies addressing the interaction between two topics (e.g., satisfaction and communication), and even least common those studies that extend the dimensions analyzed to three or more. Regarding the content, the papers reviewed confirm the thinking that the couple's well-being and their satisfaction has a multicausal nature, which goes beyond the couple, since it includes the influence of the couple's social and cultural context. In this regard, specific socio-demographic characteristics such as having children, gender, and relationship duration seem to have a greater impact and arouse more interest than others. To complement this work, it is also included other topics usually related to how the couples are shaped and the satisfaction perceived, such as, for example, the fear of intimacy and anxiety, the sense of humor, the psychological well-being, and living with a positive family context. Furthermore, the publications addressed allow to locate emerging topics, such as the use of technology and its impact on the couple relationships, and also reveal the absence of studies integrating new structures of couple relationships, like polyamory. In conclusion, this review helps to get a general overview of the topic studied in order to suggest further research or expand the research already conducted. Similarly, the information provided encourages researchers to replicate the studies analyzed with different samples (location, age, sample size, etc.) and with more ambitious methodological design given that, though exceptionally, there are results which buck against the current predominant trends, and to complement this study focused on Spanish-speaking research with English, French and Portuguese publications.

The Long-Term Effects of Cancer Treatment on Sexuality and Couple Relationships.

Breast cancer and its pharmacological treatment often induce an impairment in women's sexual functioning and couple relationships, as a consequence of physiological changes and psychosocial issues that may arise and persist long after treatment. This study aims to evaluate the sexual functioning, the quality of the couple relationship, and the overall health status of breast cancer survivors. A further objective is to determine the predictive role of specific clinical and sociodemographic variables for sexual functioning and the couple relationship. Sixty-four breast cancer survivors completed the following questionnaires: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), the Short Form Health Survey-12 (SF-12), and a self-report questionnaire to collect sociodemographic characteristics. Clinical information was retrieved from medical records. Compared to normative data, our sample reported significantly (p < .01) lower mean scores in the FSFI, DAS, and Physical Component (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) of the SF-12. Multiple regression analyses show a significant effect of age, hormonal therapy, and psychological well-being on sexual functioning and a significant effect of physical and mental well-being on the quality of the couple relationship. Additionally, 75% of patients qualified for sexual dysfunction as measured by the FSFI global scale, and 71.9% declared they were not adequately informed about the side effects of treatments on sexuality. The high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in breast cancer survivors underlines the need for specific attention to this problem, starting from a complete and targeted communication between patients and health providers regarding these side effects.

El cáncer de mama y su tratamiento farmacológico frecuentemente producen un deterioro del funcionamiento sexual de las mujeres y de las relaciones de pareja como consecuencia de los cambios fisiológicos y los problemas psicosociales que pueden surgir y continuar mucho después del tratamiento. Este estudio tiene como finalidad evaluar el funcionamiento sexual, la calidad de la relación de pareja y el estado de salud general de las sobrevivientes de cáncer de mama. Otro objetivo es determinar el papel predictivo que desempeñan las variables clínicas y sociodemográficas específicas para el funcionamiento sexual y la relación de pareja. Sesenta y cuatro sobrevivientes de cáncer de mama contestaron los siguientes cuestionarios: el Índice de la Función Sexual Femenina (Female Sexual Function Index, FSFI), la Escala de Ajuste Diádico (Dyadic Adjustment Scale, DAS), la Encuesta Breve sobre la Salud-12 (Short Form Health Survey-12, SF-12) y un cuestionario de autoinforme para recopilar características sociodemográficas. Se obtuvo información clínica de expedientes médicos. En comparación con los datos normativos, nuestra muestra informó puntajes de la media significativamente más bajos (p<0.01) en el FSFI, en la DAS y en el Resumen del Componente Físico (PCS) y del Componente Mental (MCS) de la SF-12. Los análisis de regresión múltiple indican un efecto significativo de la edad, la terapia hormonal y el bienestar psicológico en el funcionamiento sexual, y un efecto significativo del bienestar físico y mental en la calidad de la relación de pareja. Además, el 75 % de las pacientes reunió los requisitos de disfunción sexual según la medición de la escala global del FSFI, y el 71.9 % declaró que no estaba adecuadamente informado acerca de los efectos secundarios de los tratamientos en la sexualidad. La alta prevalencia de disfunción sexual en las sobrevivientes de cáncer de mama subraya la necesidad de atender este problema de manera específica, partiendo de una comunicación completa y dirigida entre pacientes y profesionales de la salud con respecto a estos efectos secundarios.

Maintenance of Relationship and Individual Functioning Gains Following Online Relationship Programs for Low-Income Couples.

Initial evidence suggests that gains in relationship functioning from brief, web-based programs are maintained through one year following the intervention; however, whether these results generalize to a low-income sample is unclear. Furthermore, previous research from in-person couple therapy suggests there may be different shapes of maintenance slopes for behavioral versus acceptance-based techniques. This study contacted 668 individuals who enrolled in online behavioral (ePREP) or acceptance-based (OurRelationship) programs one year following completion of the program. Multilevel modeling was used to examine linear and quadratic rates of change in the year following the online intervention as well as total amount of change from pretreatment to 12-month follow-up for both relationship and individual functioning. The majority of couples who responded continued to be in a relationship with the same partner (68.3%). Examinations of relationship functioning indicated couples in both programs maintained their gains over follow-up (i.e., no significant linear or quadratic changes), with medium-to-large within-group effect sizes from pre- to one-year follow-up. There were no significant differences in relationship outcomes between OurRelationship and ePREP. Similarly, examinations of individual functioning outcomes indicated couples maintained their gains over follow-up or continued to improve. In total, couples experienced small-to-medium within-group effect sizes from pretreatment to one-year follow-up, with larger effects for individuals who were initially distressed. These results suggest that online programs create lasting change for low-income couples in relationship and individual functioning, with minimal differences between behavioral and acceptance-based orientations.

Las pruebas preliminares sugieren que los beneficios en el funcionamiento de las relaciones obtenidos de programas breves basados en la web se mantienen durante un año después de la intervención; sin embargo, no queda claro si estos resultados pueden generalizarse a una muestra de personas de bajos recursos. Además, investigaciones previas de terapia de pareja en persona sugieren que puede haber diferentes formas de pendientes de mantenimiento en las técnicas conductuales frente a las basadas en la aceptación. Este estudio contactó a 668 personas que se inscribieron en programas conductuales en línea (ePREP) o basados en la aceptación (OurRelationship) un año después de haber terminado el programa. Se utilizó el modelo multinivel para analizar los índices lineales y cuadráticos de cambio el año posterior a la intervención en línea así como la cantidad total de cambio desde el momento previo al tratamiento hasta doce meses después del mismo tanto en el funcionamiento de la relación como en el individual. La mayoría de las parejas que respondieron continuaron en una relación con la misma pareja (el 68,3 %). Los análisis del funcionamiento de la relación indicaron que las parejas de ambos programas mantuvieron sus beneficios durante el periodo posterior al programa (p. ej.: no hubo cambios lineales ni cuadráticos considerables), con tamaños del efecto intragrupales entre medianos y grandes desde antes del programa hasta un año después del mismo. No hubo diferencias significativas en los resultados de la relación entre OurRelationship y ePREP. Asimismo, los análisis de los resultados del funcionamiento individual indicaron que las parejas mantuvieron sus beneficios durante el periodo posterior o continuaron mejorando. En total, las parejas experimentaron tamaños de la muestra intragrupales entre pequeños y medianos desde antes del tratamiento hasta un año después del mismo, con efectos mayores para las personas que estaban inicialmente en conflicto. Estos resultados sugieren que los programas en línea generan cambios duraderos para las parejas de bajos recursos en el funcionamiento relacional e individual, con diferencias mínimas entre las orientaciones conductuales y las basadas en la aceptación.

Use and Benefit of Dyadic Coping for Couple Relationship Satisfaction in Parents of Children with Autism.

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk for unsatisfying and conflict-ridden couple relationships (i.e., marital or romantic partner relationships). There is a critical need to identify the couple-level processes that contribute to this risk. The current study examined the use of dyadic coping, defined as the appraisals and behaviors that partners in relationships use and receive to manage stressors, and to examine whether dyadic coping mediated the association between parenting stress and couple relationship satisfaction in parents who have a child with ASD and in parents who do not have a child with ASD. In total, 184 couples that had a child with ASD (aged 5-12 years) and comparison group of 183 couples who have a child without a neurodevelopmental condition participated in the study. A multivariate analysis of covariance indicated that parents of children with ASD reported less positive and more negative dyadic coping than did parents in the comparison group. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that dyadic coping mediated the association between parenting stress and couple relationship satisfaction. Findings have important implications for programs aimed at enhancing parent couple relationship in families of children with ASD.

Los padres de niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) corren mayor riesgo de tener relaciones de pareja insatisfactorias y conflictivas (p. ej.: relaciones de pareja o conyugales). Existe una necesidad imperiosa de reconocer los procesos a nivel de la pareja que contribuyen a este riesgo. El presente estudio analizó el uso del afrontamiento diádico, definido como las evaluaciones y las conductas que los integrantes de la pareja usan y reciben para manejar los factores desencadenantes de estrés, y si este afrontamiento sirvió como mediador de la asociación entre el estrés por la crianza y la satisfacción con la relación de pareja en los padres que tienen un niño con TEA y en los padres que no tienen un niño con TEA. Participaron en el estudio un total de 184 parejas que tenían un hijo con TEA (de entre 5 y 12 años) y un grupo comparativo de 183 parejas que tenían un hijo sin un trastorno del desarrollo neurológico. Un análisis multifactorial de la covarianza indicó que los padres de los niños con TEA informaron un afrontamiento diádico menos positivo y más negativo que los padres en el grupo de comparación. Los modelos lineales jerárquicos indicaron que el afrontamiento diádico sirvió como mediador de la asociación entre el estrés por la crianza y la satisfacción con la relación de pareja. Los resultados tienen consecuencias importantes para los programas orientados a mejorar la relación de los padres como pareja en las familias de niños con TEA.

Estilos de comunicación como predictores del estrés y el afrontamiento diádico en matrimonios puertorriqueños / Communication Styles as Stress Predictors and Dyadic Coping in Puerto Rican Marriages / Estilos de comunicação como preditores do stress e o afrontamento diádico em matrimônios porto-riquenhos

Resumen Objetivo. Evaluar la posible relación de los estilos de comunicación (positivo, negativo y reservado) con el estrés y el afrontamiento diádico en las relaciones de pareja. Método. Se empleó un estudio cuantitativo no experimental en el que participaron 121 personas casadas, seleccionadas por disponibilidad. La mayoría de los participantes estaban en su primer matrimonio, y tenían una edad promedio de 42 años. Aceptaron contestar los siguientes instrumentos: (a) inventario de estilo de comunicación marital (ECOM) y (b) escala de estrés en la relación marital. Resultados. El análisis mediante regresión múltiple evidenció que los estilos de comunicación positivo y reservado son predictores del afrontamiento diádico. Se observó también que el estilo de comunicación negativo es un predictor significativo del estrés en las relaciones de pareja. Conclusión. Se sustenta la importancia de la comunicación en las relaciones de pareja y de desarrollar estilos de comunicación positivos para afrontar las situaciones estresantes.

Abstract Objetive. To evaluate the possible relationship between the communication styles (positive, negative and reserved), stress and dyadic coping. Method. Considering this purpose, a non-experimental quantitative study was proposed in which 121 married people participated based on their availability. Most of the participants were in their first marriage, and averaged 42 years old. The participants agreed to answer the following instruments: (a) Marital Communication Style Inventory and (b) Marital Relationship Stress Scale. Results. Positive and reserved communication styles are predictors of dyadic coping. It was also observed that the negative communication style is a significant predictor of stress in relationships. Conclusion. These results support the relevance of communication in relationships and the importance of developing positive communication styles to cope with stressful situations.

Resumo Escopo. Avaliar a possível relação dos estilos de comunicação (positivo, negativo e reversado) com o stress e o afrontamento diádico nas relações de casal. Metodologia. Foi empregado um estudo quantitativo não experimental no que participaram 121 pessoas casadas, selecionadas por disponibilidade. A maioria dos participantes estavam no seu primeiro matrimonio, e tinham uma idade média de 42 anos. Aceitaram contestar os seguintes instrumentos: (a) inventário de estilo de comunicação marital (ECOM) e (b) escada de stress na relação marital. Resultados. A análise mediante regressão múltipla evidenciou que os estilos de comunicação positivo e reservado são preditores do afrontamento diádico. Foi observado também que o estilo de comunicação negativo é um preditor significativo do stress nas relações de casal. Conclusão. Foi sustentada a importância da comunicação nas relações de casal e de desenvolver estilos de comunicação positivos para afrontar as situações estressantes.

Evaluación de la asociación entre el estilo de apego parental y los celos románticos en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios colombianos / Evaluation of the association between the style of parental attachment and the romantic jealouses in a colombian college student sample

Resumen El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la relación entre el estilo de apego parental y los celos románticos en un grupo de jóvenes universitarios colombianos entre los 18 y 25 años. Participaron de manera voluntaria 614 jóvenes, 421 mujeres (69%) y 193 hombres (31%), con una relación de pareja vigente de más de seis meses de duración. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron el Inventario de Apego con Padres y Pares (IPPA, Armsden y Greenberg, 1987, adaptada por Rocha, Benítez, De-Irala, sin publicar), con el cual se evaluó el apego parental con respecto a su cuidador primario, y la Escala Interpersonal de Celos (Mathes y Severa, 1981, adaptada por Martínez-León, Mathes, Avendaño, Peña y Sierra, 2018) con la cual se midieron los celos románticos en la relación de pareja de los participantes. Los resultados mostraron que en la variable estrato socioeconómico nivel medio (estratos 3 y 4) existe una relación significativa (p = .023) la cual indica que, en esta muestra específica, el estilo de apego parental está asociado con el nivel de los celos románticos en la relación de pareja.

Abstract The objective of the present study is to analyze the relationship between parental attachment style and romantic jealousy in a group of Colombian students between 18 and 25 years old. Volunteers participated 614 young people, 421 (69%) women and 193 (31%) men, with a current relationship of more than six months. The instruments used were the Inventory of Attachment with Parents and Peers (IPPA, Armsden y Greenberg, 1987, adapted by Rocha, Benítez, De-Irala, unpublished), with which assessed parental attachment with respect to their primary caregiver, and the Interpersonal Scale of Jealousy (Mathes & Severa, 1981, adapted by Martínez-León, Mathes, Avendaño, Peña and Sierra, 2018), with which was measured romantic jealousy in the couple's relationship of the participants. The results showed that in the variable socioeconomic mid-level (strata 3 and 4) there is a significant relationship (p = .023) which indicates that, in this specific sample, the Parental attachment style is associated with the level of romantic jealousy in the couple's relationship.

Inicio sexual en contexto de sexo casual y su asociación a comportamientos de riesgo en salud sexual y reproductiva en adolescents / Sexual initiation in the context of casual sex and its association with risk behaviors in sexual and reproductive health in adolescents

RESUMEN Antecedentes: Los adolescentes que se comprometen en actividad sexual en un contexto de sexo casual, pueden desarrollar patrones de actividad sexual que los llevarán a resultados en salud negativos tales como embarazo no planificado, infecciones de transmisión sexual, y mayor exposición a múltiples parejas sexuales. Objetivo: Analizar la asociación entre inicio sexual en contexto de sexo casual y comportamientos de riesgo en la salud sexual y reproductiva en adolescentes. Método: Estudio transversal y analítico en una población adolescente de ambos sexos. Se compararon adolescentes que iniciaron actividad sexual en un contexto de relaciones románticas y aquellos que lo hicieron en un contexto de sexo casual. Se analizó la asociación entre edad inicio relaciones sexuales, número de parejas sexuales, uso de método anticonceptivo y variables personales y familiares seleccionadas. Resultados: Se entrevistaron 3.565 adolescentes que habían iniciado relaciones sexuales. Las variables personales y familiares asociadas al inicio sexual en un contexto de sexo casual fueron: tener escolaridad básica, menor mediana de notas, antecedente de repitencia, proyectos académicos futuro solo terminar enseñanza media o secundaria, malas relaciones familiares, y disfunción familiar. Los comportamientos de riesgo en salud sexual en adolescentes de ambos sexos, que iniciaron actividad sexual en un contexto de relación de sexo casual fueron: inicio sexual más temprano, no uso de métodos anticonceptivos y mayor número de parejas sexuales. Conclusión: El inicio de la actividad sexual en un contexto de sexo casual expone a los adolescentes a mayores riesgos en sus comportamientos en su salud sexual y reproductiva cuando se comparan con aquellos que inician actividad sexual en un contexto más romantico.

ABSTRACT Background: Adolescents who engage in sexual activity in a non-romantic relationship may develop patterns of sexual activity that lead to negative health outcomes such as unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and increased exposure to multiple sexual partners. Objective: To analyze the association between sexual initiation in the context of non-romantic relationship and risk behaviors in sexual and reproductive health in adolescents. Method: Cross-sectional and analytical study in a teenage population of both sexes. We compared adolescents who initiated sexual activity in a context of romantic relationships and those who did it in a non-romantic context. The association between age at sexual initiation, number of sexual partners, use of contraceptive method and selected personal and family variables was analyzed. Results: 3,565 adolescents who had initiated sexual intercourse were interviewed. The personal and family variables associated with sexual initiation in a non-romantic context are: having a basic schooling, a lower grade point average and repeating background, and academic projects finishing secondary or high school, bad family relationships, and family dysfunction. The risk behaviors in sexual health in adolescents of both sexes who initiated sexual activity in a context of non-romantic relationship were: sexual debut earlier, no use of contraceptive methods and greater number of sexual partners. Conclusion: The beginning of sexual activity in a non-romantic context exposes adolescents to risk behaviors in their sexual and reproductive health.

Dependencia emocional y mitos del amor en estudiantes de dos niveles educativos / Emotional dependence and love myths in students of two educational levels

Existe una estrecha relación entre la creencia en mitos románticos acerca de las relaciones de pareja y la presencia de dependencia emocional; la literatura ha mostrado que dichas creencias promueven que las necesidades e intereses individuales se dejen en un segundo plano. El objetivo de la presente investigación consistió en identificar si existen diferencias en función del nivel educativo de los individuos en la relación existente entre la presencia de mitos románticos y la dependencia emocional en la relación de pareja y para ello se trabajó con estudiantes mexicanos, 34 de bachillerato y 61 de licenciatura, a quienes se les aplicó la Escala de Mitos, Falacias y Creencias Amorosas Erróneas del Amor Romántico y un cuestionario de Dependencia Emocional. Los resultados muestran que los alumnos de bachillerato tienen puntajes más altos en dependencia emocional y mayor aceptación de los mitos. En el alumnado universitario se encontraron más correlaciones entre mitos y dependencia que en el estudiantado de bachillerato

There is a close connection between emotional dependency and the belief in and romantic myths about relationships ; Literature has shown that such beliefs promote that individual needs and interests be left in the background. The aim of this research was to determine whether the educational level of individuals makes a difference in the connection between romantic myths and emotional dependency in relationships. To this end, the Myths, Fallacies and Erroneous Beliefs on Romantic Love Scale and a Emotional Dependency questionnaire was applied to 34 High School students and 61 College students. Results show that High School students scored higher in emotional dependency and display greater myth acceptance, while College students exhibit greater correlations between myths and dependency than High School students

Una visión de alumnos universitarios sobre la relación de sus padres como pareja / Uma visão de alunos universitários sobre a relação de seus pais como casal / Perception of university students about their parents' relationship as a couple

Resumen En una relación de pareja, sus integrantes comparten expectativas relacionadas con lo que vivieron y aprendieron en su familia de origen, de manera que la nueva familia reflejará patrones que los hijos reproducirán en un futuro. Si los hijos perciben relaciones de pareja adecuadas, retomarán estas mismas relaciones en la formación de su nueva familia; sin embargo, cuando esta relación se ve afectada por la separación, es probable que existan diferencias importantes en la percepción de los hijos. El objetivo del presente artículo fue analizar la percepción de universitarios respecto a la relación de sus padres como pareja dentro de la dinámica familiar, tomando en cuenta si sus padres vivían juntos o separados. Se utilizó una muestra intencional compuesta por 566 alumnos universitarios, de los cuales 345 eran mujeres y 221, hombres. Se aplicó el cuestionario Dinámica de la Familia Nuclear Mexicana de Vásquez et al. (2003), aunque solo se abordó el área "Los padres. Su dinámica cómo pareja". La diferencia estadística entre grupos se obtuvo a través de la prueba U de Mann-Whitney. Los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre la percepción de los universitarios con respecto a sus padres cuando viven juntos o cuando viven separados. Se concluyó que existen diferentes factores que afectan el funcionamiento de la dinámica familiar, los cuales influyen de manera diferencial en la percepción que puede tener cada miembro de la familia.

Resumo Em uma relação de casal, seus integrantes compartilham expectativas relacionadas com o que viveram e aprenderam em sua família de origem, de forma que a nova família refletirá padrões que os filhos reproduzirão no futuro. Se os filhos percebem relações de casal adequadas, retomarão essas mesmas relações na formação da sua nova família; no entanto, quando essa relação se vê afetada pela separação, é provável que existam diferenças importantes na percepção dos filhos. O objetivo do presente artigo foi analisar a percepção de universitários com respeito à relação de seus pais como casal dentro da dinâmica familiar, levando em consideração se seus pais viviam juntos ou separados. Utilizou-se uma amostra intencional composta por 566 alunos universitários, dos quais 345 eram mulheres e 221, homens. Aplicou-se o questionário Dinâmica da Família Nuclear Mexicana, de Vásquez et al. (2003), ainda que apenas a área "Os pais - sua dinâmica como casal" tenha sido abordada. A diferença estatística entre grupos foi obtida através do Teste U de Mann-Whitney. Os resultados mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre a percepção dos universitários com respeito a seus pais quando vivem juntos ou quando vivem separados. Concluiu-se que existem diferentes fatores que afetam o funcionamento da dinâmica familiar, os quais influenciam de maneira diferencial na percepção que cada membro da família pode ter.

Abstract When a couple starts a new family, both members share expectations based on what they have learned from their experience in their respective families of origin, in such a way that their offspring will repeat the same patterns in the future. If children perceive a healthy appropriate relationship between their parents, chances are that they too will have a good relationship when they start their own families. However, children will have a different perception when their parents go through a separation or divorce. Based on these facts, the aim of this article was to analyze university students' perception regarding their parents' relationship as a couple within their family environment, taking into consideration whether their parents lived together or separately. A target group comprised of 566 university students of which 345 were women and 221 were men participated in the study. The instrument used was the measurement questionnaire "Dinámica de la Familia Nuclear Mexicana" [The Mexican Family Dynamics] (Vásquez, et al., 2003). In this study the only area addressed was "Parents and their relationship as a couple". The statistical difference between groups was obtained using the Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed significant statistical differences between university students' perception of their parents depending on whether they live together or separately. A conclusion was reached on the existence of different factors that affect the family environment, which has a differential influence on each family member's perception.

Couple Relationship Standards and Migration: Comparing Hong Kong Chinese with Australian Chinese.

Rates of international migration are increasing, which raises the question of how migration might influence couple relationship standards and impact on the standards of migrants forming intercultural relationships. We compared relationship standards in n = 286 Chinese living in Hong Kong, China, with standards in n = 401 Chinese migrants to a Western country (Australia) by administering the Chinese-Western Intercultural Couple Standards Scale (CWICSS). We also compared these two groups to n = 312 Westerners living in Australia. We first tested the structural invariance of the CWICSS across the three samples with a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. There was marginal but acceptable fit of a model of two positively correlated latent factors: Couple Bond (with four indicators, such as demonstration of love and caring) and Family Responsibility (also with four indicators, such as extended family relations and preserving face). Within the limitations of the study, results suggest migration is associated predominantly with differences in women's, but not men's, relationship standards. Migrant Chinese women show alignment of Couple Bond standards with Western standards, and divergence of Family Responsibility standards from Western standards. Discussion focused on how migration and intercultural relationship experiences might differentially influence various domains of relationship standards, gender differences in migration effects on standards, and the implications for working with culturally diverse couples.

Recruitment and Retention of Low-SES Ethnic Minority Couples in Intervention Research at the Transition to Parenthood.

Low-SES couples have limited resources to manage the chronic and acute stressors with which they are disproportionately faced. Although these couples are at greater risk for negative individual and relationship outcomes, evaluations of the impact of couple relationship education (CRE) in low-SES couples have been plagued by methodological problems, most notably challenges associated with recruitment and retention. We review the literature on challenges couples face associated with low-SES, as well as on recruitment, retention, and CRE in low-SES, ethnic minority populations. We illustrate some of these challenges in a case study of CRE for low-SES couples transitioning to parenthood. In this pilot study, 21 couples were recruited from a community health clinic and randomized to either an experimental treatment condition (EXP; N = 11) or a treatment-as-usual control condition (TAU; N = 10). This study sought to mitigate documented challenges with recruitment and retention: We leveraged community partnerships, attempted to build and maintain strong relationships with study participants, provided incentives for assessments as well as intervention meetings, and attempted to reduce potential barriers to enrollment and retention. Nonetheless, we had low rates of recruitment and retention. We integrate these findings and experiences with our review of previous work in this area. We make recommendations for future CRE research and practice that have potential implications for public policy in this area.

"We Hardly Ever Talk about It": Emotional Responsive Attunement in Couples after a Child's Death.

Within Western cultural traditions, the idea that parents should talk about the death of their child with each other is deeply rooted. However, across bereaved parent couples there are wide variations in communication about their grief with each other. In this study, we explored the experiences of bereaved couples related to the process of talking and not talking. We used a thematic coding approach to analyze 20 interviews with 26 bereaved parents (11 interviewed as couples, four as individuals). Four main meanings emerged out of our analysis: not talking because of the inadequacy and pointlessness of words in grief, not talking as a way to regulate emotions in daily life, not talking as an expression of a personal, intimate process, and not talking because the partner has the same loss but a different grief process. In addition, we found that the process of talking and not talking can partly be understood as an emotional responsive process on an intrapersonal and interpersonal level. In this process partners search for a bearable distance from their own grief and their partner's, and attune with their relational context. A better understanding of this process is sought in a dialectical approach, emphasizing the value of both talking and not talking in a tense relationship with each other. Implications for clinical work are described.

Modelos parentales y su relación con la violencia en las parejas del mismo sexo / Parental models and their relation to violence among same-sex couples / Modelos parentais e sua relação com a violência em casais do mesmo sexo

Este artículo forma parte de una investigación más amplia cuyo objetivo fue describir los elementos relacionados con la violencia en parejas gays y lésbicas. Abordamos los resultados sobre la relación de los modelos parentales con la violencia ejercida al interior de estas y otras relaciones interpersonales. Seguimos un método descriptivo cualitativo y utilizamos grupos focales para recopilar la información, en donde participaron ocho hombres gays, seis mujeres lesbianas y una mujer bisexual, reclutados por disponibilidad. Encontramos que presenciar violencia entre los padres o ser expuestos a experiencias tempranas de maltrato destacan como principios favorecedores de futuras dinámicas violentas de pareja; y que el rechazo parental tras "salir del closet", junto con la dificultad para distinguir la violencia fuera del contexto heterosexual familiar, son obstáculos para detectar y afrontar la violencia.

This article is part of a wider study that has the objective of describing the elements related to violence among gay and lesbian couples. The authors analyze the results of looking at the relation between the parental model and violence inflicted within these and other interpersonal relationships. We used a qualitative descriptive method and focal groups to collect information with participation from 8 gay men, 6 lesbian women and 1 bisexual woman, who were selected based on their availability. The authors concluded that witnessing violence between parents or being exposed to early violent experiences were significant factors in encouraging violent dynamics within. In addition, parental rejection after "coming out of the closet" along with the difficulty with identifying violence outside of the generally accepted heterosexual family context were obstacles for identifying different types of violence.

Este artigo é parte de uma pesquisa mais ampla cujo objetivo foi descrever os elementos relacionados com a violência em casais homoafetivos. Abordamos os resultados da influência dos modelos parentais sobre a violência nestes relacionamentos e outras relações interpessoais. Seguimos um método descritivo qualitativo e utilizamos grupos focais como técnica de coleta de informaçõe. Participaram 8 homens gays, 6 mulheres lésbicas e 1 mulher bissexual. Descobrimos que testemunhar a violência entre os pais ou ser expostos a experiências precoces de abuso posicionaram-se como elementos que provocaram dinã¢micas violentas entre eles; e que a rejeição dos pais depois de " sair do armário", juntamente com a dificuldade que eles experimentaram para distinguir a violência fora do contexto heterossexual familiar foram os obstáculos para detectar a violência.

Parents as Partners: A U.K. Trial of a U.S. Couples-Based Parenting Intervention For At-Risk Low-Income Families.

Despite the well-established links between couple relationship quality and healthy family functioning, and burgeoning evidence from the international intervention field, there is little or no evidence of the efficacy of couples-based interventions from the United Kingdom (U.K.). This study explored whether the Parents as Partners (PasP) program, a group-based intervention developed in the United States, brought about the same benefits in the U.K. The evaluation is based on 97 couples with children from communities with high levels of need, recruited to PasP because they are at high risk for parent and child psychopathology. Both mothers and fathers completed self-report questionnaires assessing parents' psychological distress, parenting stress, couple relationship quality and conflict, fathers' involvement in child care and, importantly, children's adjustment. Multilevel modeling analysis comparing parents' responses pre- and postintervention not only showed substantial improvements for both parents on multiple measures of couple relationship quality, but also improvements in parent and child psychopathology. Analyses also indicated most substantial benefits for couples displaying poorest functioning at baseline. The findings provide initial evidence for the successful implementation of PasP, an American-origin program, in the U.K., and add support for the concept of the couple relationship as a resource by which to strengthen families.

Efectos de la mentira en las relaciones de pareja entre jóvenes universitarios heterosexuales * / Effects of the lie on partner relations between heterosexual university youth

Resumen El objetivo fue estudiar el efecto de la mentira en las relaciones de pareja entre universitarios heterosexuales. Es una investigación descriptiva, diseño transversal y muestreo probabilístico. Participaron 503 universitarios, de 16 a 22 años, Media de 3.7 y D.T. de 1.4. Se aplicó el "Cuestionario para el registro de los efectos de situaciones mentirosas en la relación de pareja", diseñado por los autores, previa validación. Los resultados se procesaron mediante el Programa Excel de Office. El análisis estadístico incluyó distribuciones de frecuencia, análisis de correspondencia entre variables y análisis implicativo según el modelo Rasch. Se encontró que el 94% de las mujeres y el 96% de los varones tuvieron experiencias implicadas de mentira y que la intensidad de molestia en las mujeres fue un 19% mayor que en hombres. La conducta inmediata más frecuente fue Reclamar, que se asoció con el efecto de Mejorar y Distanciar; y, Conversar, que se asoció con el efecto de Mejorar la relación. Se concluye que la mentira no tiene efectos destructivos en la relación, siendo probable que contribuya a la construcción de mejores relaciones. Se recomienda continuar con otros estudios garantizando mayor anonimato al responder los instrumentos, para una mayor objetividad.

Abstract The objective was to study the effect of lying on the relationships between heterosexual college students. It is a descriptive research, cross-sectional design and probabilistic sampling. Participated 503 university students, aged 16 to 22, Average of 3.7 and D.T. Of 1.4. The "Questionnaire for the recording of the effects of lying situations in the couple relationship", designed by the authors, was applied after validation. The results were processed using the Office Excel program. Statistical analysis included frequency distributions, correspondence analysis between variables and implied analysis according to the Rasch model. It was found that 94% of the women and 96% of the men had implicit lying experiences and that the intensity of discomfort in the women was 19% higher than in men. The most frequent immediate behavior was Complaint, which was associated with the Enhancing and Distancing effect; And, Chat, which was associated with the Improve relationship effect. It is concluded that the lie has no destructive effects on the relationship, and is likely to contribute to the construction of better relationships. It is recommended to continue with other studies guaranteeing greater anonymity when responding to the instruments, for greater objectivity

Funcionalidad familiar, número de relaciones y maltrato en el noviazgo en estudiantes de secundaria / Family functionality, number of relationships and dating violence in high school students

Resumen Se sometieron a prueba dos modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para determinar si la funcionalidad familiar y el número de experiencias de noviazgo podrían predecir las conductas de maltrato ejercidas y sufridas por un grupo de 548 estudiantes de secundaria (294 mujeres y 295 hombres), entre 12 y 22 años de edad. Para ello se utilizaron sendas listas de chequeo de experiencias de maltrato en la pareja, con el fin de informar las conductas de maltrato ejercidas y recibidas, y la Escala de Efectividad en el Funcionamiento Familiar. Se encontraron dos modelos con indicadores de bondad de ajuste (NFI, RFI, IFI, TLI, CFI) por encima de .90 y RMSA por debajo de .05. Los resultados indican que los problemas en la funcionalidad familiar podrían favorecer un mayor número de parejas y que estos dos aspectos podrían predecir los malos tratos psicológicos, emocionales y físicos, ejercidos y sufridos en el noviazgo.

Abstract Two models of structural equations were tested to determine if the family functionality and the number of dating partners could predict abusive behavior exercised and suffered by a group of 548 high school students (294 women and 295 men), aged 12 and 22 years old. Two checklists of experiences of partner abuse were used to inform behaviors exercised and received, and the Effectiveness in Family Functioning Scale. Two models with indicators of goodness of fit (NFI, RFI, IFI, TLI, CFI) above .90 were found, and MSYR below .05. The results indicate that problems in family functioning could promote a major number of dating partners and that these two aspects could predict psychological, emotional and physical abuse, exercised and suffered in dating.