The role of relationship dissatisfaction in the dyadic associations between attachment insecurity and intimate partner violence among couples seeking therapy

Abstract : For several decades, attempts have been made to understand the risk markers of intimate partner violence (IPV) to prevent its occurrence, but few studies have emphasized both partners’ perspective in examining these markers. This study explored the associations between attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) and the perpetration of psychological and physical IPV through relationship dissatisfaction in a sample of 88 couples seeking therapy for relationship difficulties. Results from path analyses based on the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model showed that participants’ attachment avoidance was indirectly related to their own and their partner’s higher perpetration of psychological IPV through higher relationship dissatisfaction. Participants’ attachment avoidance was also associated with their own higher perpetration of physical IPV through their higher relationship dissatisfaction. Findings highlight that attachment insecurities and relationship dissatisfaction can both contribute to establishing dysfunctional and violent interaction patterns in couples

Child maltreatment and intimate partner violence

Abstract : This study aimed to 1) evaluate the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and revictimization among a representative sample of 1,001 women living in Quebec, Canada; 2) examine whether IPV was predicted by experiences of child maltreatment; and 3) explore the role of polyvictimization on IPV beyond the effect of any type of exposure. Results indicate the prevalence rates of lifetime IPV (10.5%), IPV over the last year (2.5%), and revictimization (7.2%). All forms of child maltreatment predicted an increased risk of IPV victimization, yet polyvictimization was related to IPV beyond the effects of the specific forms of child maltreatment

Effects of a developmental adventure on the self-esteem of college students

This study examines the effects of outdoor developmental adventure programming (ODA) on college students’ self-esteem. Although some previous studies have shown that outdoor adventure programming has positive effects on self-esteem, others did not find any effect. A quasi-experimental study was conducted over 5 months, which included two pretests and two posttests to address some limitations of previous studies. A total of 84 participants completed the Questionnaire d’estime de soi hiérarchique, a questionnaire assessing self-esteem on four occasions. The experimental group (outdoor adventure; n = 32) was compared with the control groups (travel, n = 17; soccer, n = 35) using repeated measures of covariance analyses. Positive and significant increases were found for the athletic dimension of self-esteem and for global self-esteem for the experimental group (outdoor adventure) only. The increased benefits provided by the combination of adventure and sports in ODA, over sports-only or traveling-only interventions, underline the importance of developing ODA with college students

Management consulting effectiveness : contribution of the working alliance and the consultant's attachment orientation

Abstract : Despite growing interests in understanding the effectiveness of consulting in organizational settings, the contribution of individual and interpersonal factors suggested in the literature has yet to be determined. This article examines the relationship between the client-consultant working alliance, the consultant’s attachment orientation and consulting effectiveness from the consultant’s viewpoint. Self-report questionnaires were administered to 193 internal and external consultants in Canada. The hierarchical regression analyses suggested that the professional agreement dimension of the working alliance was the strongest predictor of consulting effectiveness as perceived by consultants, in terms of both process and outcomes. Additionally, the consultant’s attachment orientation, whether anxious or avoidant, moderated the associations between the working alliance and consulting effectiveness. These findings shed new light on factors contributing to consulting effectiveness from the consultant’s perspective and pave the way for innovative avenues in consultants’ training and professional practice development

IPV, distress, and affect dysregulation

Despite an increase in research initiatives and prevention campaigns, intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a public health problem that affects many victims worldwide. The current study aims to examine whether psychological distress symptoms (anger, depression, anxiety) are indirectly related to the perpetration of IPV (physical assault, psychological abuse, coercive control) through affect dysregulation (AD) in men seeking help. Online questionnaires assessing psychological distress symptoms, AD, and violent behaviors were completed by 335 adult men entering treatment for IPV. A path analysis model revealed the indirect associations between psychological distress symptoms and higher IPV perpetration through higher AD. Symptoms of anger were indirectly related to the three forms of perpetrated IPV through higher AD. Symptoms of depression were, directly and indirectly, related to the three forms of perpetrated IPV through higher AD. Finally, symptoms of anxiety were directly related to lower physical assault perpetration, and indirectly related to higher physical assault and coercive control perpetration through higher AD. The final model explained 10% of the variance in perpetrated physical assault, 23% of the variance in perpetrated psychological abuse, and 13% of the variance in perpetrated coercive control. These results underline the necessity of assessing and addressing symptoms of psychological distress and AD among men perpetrators in the treatment of IPV

Attachment and sexual functioning in women and men seeking fertility treatment

Abstract : Objective. The purpose of the study was to examine the frequency of sexual difficulties and the associations among attachment insecurities (anxiety, avoidance) and sexual functioning (problems with sexual function, sexual dissatisfaction) in women and couples seeking fertility treatment. Methods. In a cross-sectional study, 88 Canadian women and 45 couples receiving fertility treatments completed self-reported measures of adult attachment and sexual functioning. Results. The frequency of problems in sexual function varied from 14.8% (pain) to 58.0% (desire) in women and from 6.7% (satisfaction with orgasm) to 28.9% (desire) in men. Among women, attachment-related avoidance predicted their low levels of sexual satisfaction (β = -.30, p = .007) and sexual pain (β = .22, p = .044). Dyadic analyses revealed associations between men’s attachment-related anxiety and their difficulties in reaching erection (β = .30, p = .042) and orgasm (β =.33, p = .009). Anxiety in women was related to their lubrication difficulties (β = .44, p = .006). One partner effect was found: men’s avoidance was related to their partners’ difficulty in achieving orgasms (β = .39, p = .045). Conclusions. Results support the pertinence of attachment theory and the relevance of using dyadic designs to understand sexuality in couples seeking fertility treatment

Sexual activity based fears during pregnancy, sexual function and dyadic adjustment in couples who are expecting their first child

Sexual activity based fears during pregnancy are common, but very few studies have examined their association with relationshipvariables.Secondary analysis ofassociationsbetween thesefears during pregnancy and bothpartners’ sexual function and dyadic adjustmentwere conducted. A sample of 67 French-Canadian first-timeparentingcouplesliving in Ontariocompleted online questionnaires on sexual activity based fears, sexual function,and dyadic adjustment as experienced during pregnancy. While one-third of participants reported no fears, other couples experienced one to six fears, the two most common fears among partners being inducing labor and causing a miscarriage. Dyadic path analyses supportedindirect associations between sexual activity based fears and lower dyadic adjustment via poorersexual function.During pregnancy, thesefears in womenand menare associated with poorer dyadicadjustment in both partnersthrough the women’spoorersexual function.These findings suggest includingprenatal sexual activity based fears inperinatal sexuality counseling, education,and interventions

Sexual satisfaction during pregrancy

Introduction. Expecting a first child is a challenging period for relationship partners, especially in regard to their sex life. In fact, sexual satisfaction can diminish for most pregnant couples. Objective. This research aimed to explore the associations between attachment insecurity (anxiety and avoidance) and sexual satisfaction through relationship intimacy and partner support among both partners during pregnancy. Method. During the second trimester of pregnancy, 127 first-time parent couples completed online questionnaires assessing romantic attachment, sexual satisfaction, intimacy, and couple support. This study was cross-sectional. Path analyses based on the Actor-Partner Interdependance Model were conducted. Results. Results revealed the presence of indirect associations between attachment avoidance, but not anxiety, and lower sexual satisfaction, via intimacy and couple support, in women and men. Men’s attachment avoidance was also indirectly related to their pregnant partners’ lower sexual satisfaction through these variables. Conclusion. These results highlight the importance of relational processes, namely intimacy and support, in sexual satisfaction during a pregnancy