Browsing by Subject "Intimacy"

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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    Proposing a Theory for the Categorization of Self Disclosure Strategies
    (2020-08) Conrad Metz-Sipple, Emma K.; Parrish-Sprowl, John; Goering, Elizabeth; Sandwina, Ronald; Dobris, Catherine A.
    Self disclosure, or sharing personal details about oneself with another, is an important communication construct that can impact relationship development, workplace satisfaction, mental health, and physical health, among other aspects of an individual’s life (Clevinger, Ablert & Raiche, 2019; Hyman, & McQuitty, 2000; Jourard, 1971; Rosenfeld, Civikly, & Herron, 1979). Much of the research on self disclosure has focused on why people choose to self disclose, how self disclosure impacts relationship development, or the risks individuals experience in regards to self disclosure (Greene, Derlega & Matthews, 2006; Smith & Brunner, 2017). The levels of self disclosure have also been studied (Harper & Harper, 2006; Morton, 1978). What has been overlooked thus far in academic research is the manner which individuals disclose information to one another. The benefits of filling this gap in self disclosure research by establishing self disclosure categories is multi-faceted. First, understanding how individuals self disclose increases the accessibility of self disclosure for non-academic circles. Categorizing self disclosure will provide individuals with the language to talk about how they make themselves known to others. Understanding how individual’s self disclose also creates new opportunities for self disclosure research among the academic realm.