Browsing by Subject "Relationship satisfaction"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    Better together: Integrative analysis of behavioral gratitude in close relationships using the three-factorial interpersonal emotions (TIE) framework
    (APA, 2022) Chang, Yen-Ping; Dwyer, Patrick C.; Algoe, Sara B.; School of Philanthropy
    Several lines of research document various relational and personal benefits of gratitude and its key behavioral manifestation, expressed gratitude. Integrating these lines, we propose the three-factorial interpersonal emotions (TIE) analytical framework, using two directions of gratitude behavior—expression and receipt of the expression—perspectives of both individuals reporting those behaviors—the acting self and the observing partner—and two temporal scopes to examine gratitude—the dispositional and the situational (operationalized as one’s 2-week average thanking behavior and daily variations around the average, respectively). These describe eight (2 × 2 × 2) prototypical aspects of behavioral manifestations of interpersonal emotions such as expressed gratitude. We demonstrate the TIE model using a well-powered dyadic daily-diary dataset of naturally emerging gratitude interactions within romantic couples. Results show all aspects of situational gratitude behavior uniquely forecast daily increases in relationship satisfaction; these effects mediate contemporaneous daily increases in life satisfaction, and are not attributable to self-disclosure, fairness, politeness, or general positivity. Alternatively, although they each show a zero-order effect, many aspects of dispositional gratitude behavior do not exert independent effects on relationship or life satisfaction, nor do they hold against the four nongratitude constructs. Exemplifying the utility of the TIE model, we conclude behavioral gratitude is an everyday phenomenon; it comprises related yet distinguishable interpersonal acts, and can be understood from the different perspectives of the actors involved. Methodologically, our work shows the value of bringing relationship–science techniques to study the social functions of emotions, and generates new questions about gratitude in everyday life.
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    Condom use as a function of number of coital events in new relationships
    (Wolters Kluwer, 2016-02) He, Fei; Hensel, Devon J.; Harezlak, Jaroslaw; Fortenberry, J. Dennis; Department of Biostatistics, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
    STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess condom use as a function of number of coital events in newly formed sexual relationships. METHODS: Participants who reported at least one new partner during the 12-week study interval (n = 115; ages 18-29 years; 48% women; 90% African American) completed weekly sexually transmitted infections testing and 3 times daily electronic diary collection assessing individual and partner-specific affect, daily activities, sexual behavior, and condom use. We analyzed event-level condom use percentage and participant-level behavior response effects. generalized additive mixed models were used to estimate condom use probability accounting for within-partner and within-participant correlations via random effects. RESULTS: The average condom use probability at the first coital event in new relationships was 55% for men and 36% for women. Analyses showed that smooth shapes of estimated condom use probabilities were similar for both sexes and were fitted using generalized additive mixed models. Relatively higher condom use percentage was followed by a sharp decline during the first 9 coital events decreasing to 16% for men and 8% for women. More rapid decline in condom use among women was highly associated with higher levels of relationship and sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of condom use declines sharply for both men and women after the early accrual experience with a partner. Relationship and sexual satisfaction also influence declines in condom use, especially among women.
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    Relationship and sexual satisfaction are associated with better disease self-management in persons with epilepsy
    (Elsevier, 2021) Gesselman, Amanda N.; Wion, Rachel K.; Garcia, Justin R.; Miller, Wendy R.; School of Nursing
    Prior research has demonstrated that PWEs view intimate interpersonal relationships as personally important and as a substantive challenge in their lives. This is significant as high-quality intimate relationships have been linked with greater well-being and better healthcare self-management in other disease contexts. For persons with epilepsy (PWEs), self-management is critical for seizure control, lower mortality, and better quality of life. In the current study, we conducted the first known investigation into the quality of PWEs' intimate relationships and their self-management abilities. In a sample of 88 PWEs, using the Adult Epilepsy Self-Management Instrument, results demonstrate links between greater relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction with better self-management on seven of the eleven subscales: health communication, coping skills, social support, seizure tracking, seizure response, stress management, and wellness; satisfaction was unrelated to the treatment, safety, medical adherence, and proactivity subscales. Importantly, these results held while controlling for age, gender, social support, and presence of comorbidities. These findings provide some evidence of the importance of intimate relationships in understanding PWEs' healthcare management abilities. Given that intimate relationship dynamics have been shown to be highly amenable to intervention, this is an area of potential interest for improving self-management in PWEs.
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    Relationship satisfaction in adults with phenylketonuria is positively associated with following recommended treatment, having a partner involved in management, and maintaining good health
    (Springer, 2023) Sundstrom, Rachel; Wetherill, Leah; Sapp, Katie; McPheron, Molly; Lah, Melissa; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
    Rationale: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic condition that requires treatment for life. There is increasing evidence that chronic illnesses put strain on relationships and marriages. However, no studies have examined the unique factors that metabolic conditions have on affected individuals and their relationship satisfaction. We surveyed a population of adult patients with PKU and assessed how management, treatment, and lifestyle factors impact their relationship satisfaction. Purpose: The purpose of our study was to explore whether factors such as involvement of partner in PKU management, impact of challenges unique to PKU (e.g., diet, family planning, mood disturbances), and PKU treatment types were associated with the degree of relationship satisfaction. Method: We surveyed adult patients with PKU (n = 82) who were either currently in or had previously been in a long-term relationship. We developed a 78-question survey that included unique questions regarding lifestyle, treatment, and management of their PKU in addition to a validated Relationship Assessment Score. Questions included single choice, multiple choice, and 3 open-ended questions. Results: We found that higher relationship satisfaction was associated with increased partner involvement, increased health, and adherence to recommended PKU treatments. Participants utilizing both diet and pharmaceutical treatment had the highest relationship satisfaction. Finally, participants who reported that their PKU did not contribute to the ending of a previous relationship reported higher relationship satisfaction scores. Conclusion: This study suggests that involvement of partners in the management and treatment of a chronic illness and adherence to recommended treatments can significantly improve relationship satisfaction.
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    The Association between Relationship Satisfaction Concordance and Breast Cancer Survivors’ Physical and Psychosocial Well-Being
    (MDPI, 2024-01-08) Vachon, Eric A.; Krueger, Ellen; Haggstrom, David A.; Champion, Victoria L.; School of Nursing
    The purpose of this article is to examine the association of relationship satisfaction concordance between breast cancer survivors (BCSs) and their partners with matched controls on physical and psychosocial outcomes. Dyads of BCSs, age-matched controls, and partners were recruited as part of a larger, cross-sectional QOL survey study. Relationship concordance was measured by the ENRICH marital satisfaction score, with each dyad's score equaling the absolute value of the difference in satisfaction between survivor/control and their partner (lower score = greater concordance). Dependent variables for survivors/controls were social constraint, physical function, depression, fatigue, attention function, and sleep disturbance. Relationship satisfaction and concordance were used as the primary independent variables, while controlling for dyad category, race, education, income, and age within multiple linear regression models. The sample consisted of 387 dyads (220 BCSs, 167 controls). Relationship satisfaction concordance ranged from 0 to 53.4 (mean = 10.2). The BCS dyads had significantly worse concordance (11.1) than the controls (9.1) (p = 0.050). Within the multiple regression models, lower concordance was significantly associated with increased social constraint (p = 0.029), increased depression (p = 0.038), and increased fatigue (p = 0.006). Poor relationship satisfaction and concordance were significantly associated with poor physical and psychosocial outcomes. The maintenance of relationships should remain a focus through difficulties of cancer and into survivorship for survivors, partners, and providers.