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

Can romantic attachment and psychopathy concomitantly explain the forms and severity of perpetrated intimate partner violence in men seeking treatment?

Abstract : This study examines the respective contributions of two risk markers for intimate partner violence perpetrated by men seeking psychological help: psychopathic personality traits (primary and secondary), and attachment insecurities (anxiety and avoidance). In an effort to offer more specific and nuanced results, the severity of the violence perpetrated by participants (i.e., minor and severe) was examined with regards to three forms of intimate partner violence: physical, psychological, and sexual. A sample of 226 men seeking help in a community organization specialized in the treatment of relational difficulties and intimate partner violence answered a series of self-report questionnaires. Results of multiple and logistic regression analyses reveal that attachment anxiety is related to the perpetration of minor psychological violence, severe physical violence, and minor sexual violence. Attachment avoidance is not significantly associated with perpetration of intimate partner violence when attachment anxiety and psychopathy traits are considered. Primary psychopathy is also linked to the perpetration of severe psychological and sexual violence, whereas secondary psychopathy is solely associated with the perpetration of minor psychological violence. From a clinical standpoint, these results highlight the importance of considering the forms and severity of intimate partner violence, and put forward the relevance of assessing and considering issues surrounding attachment insecurities and psychopathy in men seeking treatment for relationship difficulties

Childhood sexual abuse, dyadic empathy, and intimate partner violence among men seeking psychological help

Abstract : Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and intimate partner violence (IPV) have both been associated with numerous negative repercussions. The first aim of this study is to understand intimate partner violence perpetrated by men within a clinical population, by examining the effects of two potential predictors: CSA and dyadic empathy (cognitive and emotional). The second aim of this study is to explore whether dyadic empathy is an intermediary variable of the association between CSA and IPV. A sample of 198 men (aged 18 to 69 years old) who were seeking help for relationship problems, completed a set of self-administered questionnaires. While controlling for social desirability and family violence history, our findings outlined the mediating and moderating role of dyadic empathy in the link between CSA and perpetrated psychological, but not physical, IPV. Emotional empathy mediated and moderated the link between CSA and psychological IPV, whereas cognitive empathy only moderated this link. The examination of the direct links between the variables also revealed that CSA was related to lower emotional empathy and higher rates of both types of IPV. In addition, cognitive empathy was negatively associated with physical and psychological IPV, where as emotional empathy was positively associated with psychological IPV. This study contributes to the literature by documenting some of the mechanisms that could explain the perpetration of IPV and highlights the importance of investigating CSA and empathy in men who are seeking help

How to deal with sexual changes during and after pregnancy

After documenting parenting couples’ needs regarding perinatal sexuality, this study developed and evaluated a brief psycho-educational workshop on perinatal sexuality. Participants(16 future and 17 new parents) completed five steps: 1)online questionnaire (T1) assessing needs toward the workshop and sexoperinatal knowledge, attitudes,and perceptions; 2)two-hour online workshopon perinatal sexuality; 3) post-workshop satisfaction questionnaire; 4) one-month (T2) and 5)two-month (T3) post-workshop questionnaires with the same measures as in T1. One month after the workshop, knowledge, attitudes,and perceptions towards perinatal sexuality increased significantly. Sexoperinatal interventions from healthcare workers are still uncommon, although there is a need forinformation and support. This brief online workshop is promising forbetter educationand empowerment ofparenting couplesregarding perinatal sexuality

Predictors of discontinuation from individual treatment in men perpetrators of intimate partner violence

Abstract : Practitioners working with male perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) observe high rates of treatment dropout in their clientele, which can undermine their ability to reduce the occurrence of IPV. Studies have also mostly documented predictors of dropout from group format IPV treatment programs, but not from individual-format treatment modalities. This study aimed to identify the predictors and key moments of dropout in 206 French-Canadian men seeking individual treatment for IPV. Results of Cox regression survival analyses indicate that age, education, employment, court-ordered treatment, adult attachment, and the number of perpetrated acts of psychological violence were significant predictors of dropout. Findings highlight the need to assess and target those predictors early in treatment to help men remain in therapy and prevent further use of IPV

A 2‐year dyadic longitudinal study of mothers' and fathers' marital adjustment when caring for a child with cancer

Objective Studies examining interrelationships within parental couples confronted with pediatric cancer are scarce. This study explored dyadic longitudinal associations between both partners' family functioning and mood at diagnosis, and marital adjustment 2 years later. Method Parents of children (n = 47 couples) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) completed the Family Well‐Being Assessment and Profile of Mood States‐Bipolar Form at diagnosis, and the Locke–Wallace Marital Adjustment Test 2 years post diagnosis. Multilevel linear models using the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) and controlling for baseline marital adjustment were conducted to evaluate within subject and dyadic longitudinal effects. Results For mothers, better marital adjustment 2 years post diagnosis was associated with perception of greater family support and less role conflict and role overload at diagnosis. For fathers, better marital adjustment 2 years post‐diagnosis was associated with perception of less role conflict, greater role ambiguity, and being more tired at diagnosis, as well as their partner's perception of less role conflict at diagnosis. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of considering both partners' perspectives in understanding marital adjustment across treatment phases in parents of children with ALL. Early interventions for couples should be tailored to meet each partner's needs in order to foster resilience within the couple

Perceived financial burden is indirectly linked to sexual well-being via quality of life among couples seeking medically assisted reproduction

IntroductionMedically assisted reproduction is a difficult treatment process for couples both financially and sexually. Yet, these two domains have not been examined together among couples seeking treatment, leaving couples and practitioners without guidance on how to address these domains together.MethodsIn line with Couples and Finance Theory, we tested the hypothesis that perceived financial burden and couple income would predict quality of life during medically assisted reproduction, which would then predict four domains of sexual well-being (i.e., sexual satisfaction, desire, distress, and frequency). We also examined if the results differed by treatment status—that is, between partners who were receiving treatment and those who were not. Cross-sectional data from 120 couples who had undergone medically assisted reproduction in the past six months were analyzed via structural equation modeling through an actor-partner interdependence mediation model.ResultsAn individual’s greater perceived financial burden predicted their own lower quality of life during medically assisted reproduction, which in turn predicted their lower sexual satisfaction, desire and distress, as well as their partner’s lower sexual satisfaction. Household income did not indirectly predict any sexual well-being domains, and results regarding treatment status were inconclusive.DiscussionClinicians can discuss with couples how perceived financial strain of medically assisted reproduction affects their quality of life and what ramifications that may have for their sexual well-being

Whose fault is it? Blame predicting psychological adjustment and couple satisfaction in couples seeking fertility treatment

Infertility bears psychological and relational consequences for couples who face this problem. Few studies have examined the role of self- and partner blaming to explain psychological and relationship adjustment in couple presenting with a fertility problem. This study used a dyadic approach to explore the links between blaming oneself and one’s partner and both partners’ symptoms of depression and anxiety, and couple satisfaction in 279 couples enrolled in fertility treatments. Partners were questioned about the extent to which they blamed themselves and their partner for the fertility problem. They also completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Index of Psychological Symptoms. Path analyses based on the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model showed that self-blame predicted anxiety and depression symptoms in both men and women. Men’s self-blame also predicted their own lower relationship satisfaction, whereas women’s self-blame predicted more depression and anxiety in their partner. Partner blame in women predicted their own and their partner lower relationship satisfaction. Women’s tendency to blame their partner also predicted their own depression symptoms. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed

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

Purpose: Sexual activity based fears during pregnancy are common, but very few studies have examined their association with relationship variables. Secondary analysis of associations between these fears during pregnancy and both partners’ sexual function and dyadic adjustment were conducted. Materials and Methods: A sample of 67 French-Canadian first-time parenting couples living in Ontario completed online questionnaires on sexual activity based fears, sexual function, and dyadic adjustment as experienced during pregnancy. Results: 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 supported indirect associations between sexual activity based fears and lower dyadic adjustment via poorer sexual function. During pregnancy, these fears in women and men are associated with poorer dyadic adjustment in both partners through the women’s poorer sexual function. Conclusion: These findings suggest including prenatal sexual activity based fears in perinatal sexuality counseling, education, and interventions

Attachment and sexual functioning in women and men seeking fertility treatment

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 = −0.30, p = .007) and sexual pain (β = 0.22, p = .044). Dyadic analyses revealed associations between men’s attachment-related anxiety and their difficulties in reaching erection (β = 0.30, p = .042) and orgasm (β = 0.33, p = .009). Anxiety in women was related to their lubrication difficulties (β = 0.44, p = .006). One partner effect was found: men’s avoidance was related to their partners’ difficulty in achieving orgasms (β = 0.39, 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