Browsing by Subject "Couples"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    Associations of Future Cognitive Decline with Sexual Satisfaction among Married Older Adults
    (Taylor & Francis, 2021) Smith, Allison G.; Bardach, Shoshana H.; Barber, Justin M.; Williams, Andrea; Rhodus, Elizabeth K.; Parsons, Kelly K.; Jicha, Gregory A.; Psychiatry, School of Medicine
    Objectives: This study sought to explore changes in longitudinal cognitive status in relation to baseline measures of intimacy and sexuality in cognitively intact, married older adults. Methods: Baseline intimacy and sexuality survey data from 155, cognitively intact, married, older adults were collected using a novel survey instrument that explored the domains of: 1) romance with one's partner, 2) sexual satisfaction, 3) beliefs about sexuality, and 4) social support and emotional intimacy. These data were analyzed in relation to change in cognitive status over a 10-year follow-up period using binary logistic regression modeling. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the shared variance of survey items attributable to intimacy and sexuality without specification of an a priori hypothesis regarding the association of intimacy and sexuality with future change in cognitive status. Results: Over the 10-year study period, 33.5% (n = 52) of individuals developed cognitive impairment. Participants with greater sexual satisfaction scores at baseline were statistically less likely to convert from cognitively intact to mild cognitive impairment or dementia in the future (p = .01). The domains of romance with one's partner, beliefs about sexuality, and social support/emotional intimacy were not predictive of future longitudinal changes in cognitive status. Conclusions: Sexual satisfaction is associated with longitudinal cognitive outcomes in cognitively intact, married, older adults. Clinical implications: Clinicians should routinely assess for sexual satisfaction among older adults and refer to appropriate providers, such as couples or sex therapists, when appropriate.
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    Couples in breast cancer survivorship: Daily associations in relationship satisfaction, stress, and health
    (Elsevier, 2024-08-19) Shrout, M. Rosie; Renna, Megan E.; Leonard, MiKaila J.; Friedman, Elliot M.; Miller, Kathy D.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Romantic relationships are a key health determinant underlying both morbidity and mortality. Dr. Janice Kiecolt-Glaser's prolific research revealed cardiovascular, metabolic, endocrine, and immune pathways connecting marriage to health and longevity. In addition to her empirical work, she developed conceptual models on marriage, the gut microbiome, stress reactivity, and spousal health concordance; these models guide and inspire mechanistic research, serve as essential readings for graduate students and mentees, and provide inspiration for researchers across career stages. This paper highlights Dr. Kiecolt-Glaser's influential work, includes personal reflections and professional growth as past mentees, and provides Dr. Kiecolt-Glaser-inspired evidence linking relationships to health among couples in breast cancer survivorship. Using baseline questionnaires and daily dairies, breast cancer survivors (stage I-IIIB) and their cohabiting partners (60 individuals, 30 couples) rated their relationship satisfaction, stress, and physical health symptoms every day for 7 days. Results suggest that breast cancer survivors and their partners who felt more satisfied with their relationships also felt less stressed, both typically and on a daily basis. Survivors' and partners' lower stress was also associated with fewer physical health problems on average and in daily life. These findings demonstrate the daily stress and health advantages of satisfying relationships for both breast cancer survivors and their partners. We discuss the study's implications and several avenues for Dr. Kiecolt-Glaser-inspired research addressing a relationship's long-term health impact among couples in survivorship.