Environmental mastery and depression in older adults in residential care

This study investigated the association between environmental mastery and depression in a sample of 96 older adults (aged 64&ndash;98 years) in residential care. The participants completed a scale that assessed depression along with measures for risk factors for depression such as functional capacity, self-evaluated physical health, bereavement experiences and environmental mastery. The results showed that 49 per cent of the variance in participants&rsquo; scores in depression could be attributed to their self-reported level of environmental mastery. Given the complexity of depression and the likelihood of reduced environmental mastery among older adults in residential care, the construct was further assessed as a mediating variable between the risk factors and depression. With environmental mastery taken as such, the explained variance in depression increased to 56 per cent. It was concluded that environmental mastery may be one of the more important factors affecting the mental health of older adults living in residential care and that strategies for increasing the residents&rsquo; environmental mastery are important to their psychological wellbeing. The discussion notes that among the questions needing further investigation are whether older adults who experience high environmental mastery make the transition from community living to residential nursing home care more successfully than others, and whether perceived mastery diminishes over time or occurs at the point of transition from community independent living to dependent supported living.<br /

Incorporating mindfulness and chat groups into an online cognitive behavioral therapy for mixed female sexual problems

The current randomized study evaluated an online cognitive behavioral therapy program for female sexual problems. PursuingPleasure (PP) consisted of six online modules that included psychoeducation, sensate focus, communication exercises, cognitive exercises, and e-mail contact with a therapist. PP incorporated mindfulness training and online chat groups as well as assessed partner sexual functioning. Participants demonstrated a completion rate of 57%, with 26 women with female sexual problems and related distress completing the program compared to a wait-list control group of 31 women also experiencing sexual problems and distress. Sexual problems reported by women in both groups included difficulties with sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and pain. The treatment group demonstrated significant improvements in all domains of female sexual response (except for sexual pain) and significant reductions in the reported frequency of sexual problems and distress. Partner sexual functioning showed positive change. Improvements in female sexual functioning and some improvements in male partner sexual functioning were maintained at three-month follow-up. Limitations and suitability of clients for this treatment approach for women who are geographically isolated, who are unable to attend face-to-face therapy, and who possess a high degree of motivation are discussed

Differences Between Sexually Functional and Dysfunctional Women in Childhood Experiences and Individual and Relationship Domains

This study was designed to examine the association between childhood experiences, current psychological and relationship factors, and female sexual dysfunction. In total, 404 adult women (n = 164 functional, n = 240 dysfunctional) who were currently engaged in a heterosexual relationship completed an online questionnaire. Women with sexual dysfunction demonstrated more problems in early life experiences, current psychological adjustment, and relationships. These factors were also associated with sexual functioning for both functional and dysfunctional women. These findings demonstrate the importance of addressing psychological and relationship factors in the treatment of sexual dysfunction among women

Exploring the relationship between premorbid personality and dementia-related behaviors

The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether premorbid personality traits (i.e., neuroticism, extroversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) can predict behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In particular, agitation-related behaviors were examined. The current study used convenience sampling from 14 residential care facilities in Melbourne, Australia. Demographic and health data, cognitive ability, BPSD, and premorbid personality characteristics were collected from 62 female and 27 male older adults. Close informants of participants were asked to provide premorbid personality data (i.e., before the development of dementia) using the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory. Residential care staff used the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory to rate agitation-related behaviors over a 2-week period. Correlational analyses revealed associations between premorbid agreeableness and verbally nonaggressive behaviors, and between premorbid conscientiousness and verbally nonaggressive behaviors. Although the findings provide some support that premorbid personality shapes problematic behaviors exhibited in dementia, they are inconsistent with previous research and the hypotheses were generally not supported

Self-perceptions of sexual attractiveness: Satisfaction with physical appearance is not of primary importance across gender and sexual orientation

Research on self-perceived sexual attractiveness has predominantly focused on the importance of physical appearance, overlooking nonphysical traits that may contribute to these self-perceptions. The present study examined and compared the importance of a variety of traits for self-perceived sexual attractiveness. Self-identified heterosexual, gay, and bisexual men (N = 1,801) and heterosexual, lesbian, and bisexual women (N = 1,092) completed an online questionnaire examining self-perceived sexual attractiveness, body esteem, sexual esteem, adherence to gender norms, and sexual experience. Body esteem and sexual esteem were significant predictors of self-perceived sexual attractiveness, regardless of gender and sexual orientation. Adhering to a masculine gender norm was a significant predictor among all groups (to varying extents) but heterosexual women. Adhering to a feminine gender norm was a significant predictor among heterosexual men and bisexual women. Finally, sexual experience was a significant predictor for all men and bisexual women. Furthermore, while body esteem was a predictor across all groups, for most individuals it did not appear to be of primary importance, with either sexual esteem or masculinity proving to be of greater importance. These findings suggest the need to consider traits related to both physical and nonphysical factors for improving an individual's self-perceived sexual attractiveness

Adult Attachment and Sexual Functioning : A Review of Past Research

Introduction: The association between adult attachment and sexual functioning is an important area of research. However, there has been no previous attempt to systematically review the available literature between these dimensions, and how their interrelationships may vary within different populations. Aim: To provide an in‐depth critical investigation of the literature on the association between adult attachment and sexual functioning (satisfaction, dysfunction, and behaviors). Methods: A systematic literature review of research reported in PsychINFO, Scopus, PubMed, and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection from January 1, 1990 to November 8, 2011. Results: The results demonstrated that higher levels of anxious and avoidant attachment were related to less satisfying sexual relationships, higher levels of sexual dysfunction, and different sexual intercourse frequencies and motivations for sex. Conclusions: There is a need for further research to target the sexual functioning of males and to incorporate representative samples (ethnicity, sexual orientation, and relationship status) into the analyses. Moreover, measurement of sexual behavior needs to encompass a range of sexual functioning variables

An online, mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral therapy for female sexual difficulties : Impact on relationship functioning

This article presents the evaluation of an online treatment for female sexual difficulties as it relates to relationship functioning. Pursuing Pleasure was an online, mindfulness-based, cognitive behavioral therapy for female sexual difficulties. In Study 1, 26 women completed treatment and changes were compared with a waitlist control group (n = 31). In Study 2, 16 women from the control group then completed treatment. The authors did not use a control group in Study 2. Results demonstrated that both treatment groups observed significant improvements in sexual intimacy and communication, and emotional intimacy improved significantly in the Study 1 treatment group. Most improvements were maintained at follow-up

Conceptualization of the sexual response models in men: Are there differences between sexually functional and dysfunctional men?

Introduction: Research to validate models of sexual response empirically in men with and without sexual dysfunction (MSD), as currently defined, is limited. Aim: To explore the extent to which the traditional linear or the Basson circular model best represents male sexual response for men with MSD and sexually functional men. Methods: In total, 573 men completed an online questionnaire to assess sexual function and aspects of the models of sexual response. In total, 42.2% of men (242) were sexually functional, and 57.8% (331) had at least one MSD. Models were built and tested using bootstrapping and structural equation modeling. Main Outcome Measures: Fit of models for men with and without MSD. Results: The linear model and the initial circular model were a poor fit for men with and without MSD. A modified version of the circular model demonstrated adequate fit for the two groups and showed important interactions between psychological factors and sexual response for men with and without MSD. Conclusion: Male sexual response was not represented by the linear model for men with or without MSD, excluding possible healthy responsive desire. The circular model provided a better fit for the two groups of men but demonstrated that the relations between psychological factors and phases of sexual response were different for men with and without MSD as currently defined

Hearing their voice: A systematic review of dementia family caregivers' needs

Purpose: The number of Australians living with dementia is expected to increase from currently 332,000 to 900,000 by 2050. Around 200,000 unpaid caregivers are caring for community-dwelling people living with dementia, and therefore, supporting the caregivers’ needs is of paramount importance. The aim of this systematic review was to understand the perceived needs of immediate family caregivers of community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Design and methods: We examined qualitative studies that reported on the self-perceived needs of partner and/or offspring caregivers who were caring for community-dwelling older adults with dementia. Results: Two themes were developed from 12 studies: caregiver needs related to the management of older people with dementia and caregivers’ personal needs. The first theme further included four subthemes: information and knowledge needs; activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living and Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia support needs; formal care support needs; and informal care support needs. The second theme consisted of two subthemes: the need to address caregivers’ physical and psychological health and the need to manage caregivers’ own lives. Implications: The findings have important implications for the development of interventions that comprehensively address caregivers’ individual needs. Caregivers’ unmet needs highlight key areas for improvement in policy and service provision. The findings demonstrate the need for more rigorous qualitative studies exploring the perceived needs of partner and offspring caregivers respectively. Furthermore, examining the underlying relationships between different caregiver needs is warranted

A systematic review of body dissatisfaction and sociocultural messages related to the body among preschool children

This systematic review examines body dissatisfaction and the influence of sociocultural messages related to body image among preschool children. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and 16 studies were included in the final analysis. Findings suggest that children under the age of 6 years old experience body dissatisfaction, however, the proportion of children who are dissatisfied varied from around 20% to 70%, depending on the method of assessment. The literature was divided on whether preschool aged girls experience more body dissatisfaction than boys. Parental influence appears to be an important factor in the development of preschool children's body dissatisfaction and attitudes. However, more research is needed to understand the influences of children's peers and the media. The need for more sensitive measures of body dissatisfaction and prevention programs for preschool children is discussed