Getting to the heart of the matter: Understanding relational satisfaction in modern-day couples

This mixed-methods study is the first of its kind to collect large-scale qualitative and quantitative data from diverse couples. The purpose of the research was to determine what factors (Internal, Relational, or External) most impact relational satisfaction in modern-day couples. Four hundred fifty three participants that represented diverse sexual orientation, age, social economic status, and relational commitments were asked to answer a survey that contained Likert-like scales and open-ended questions to identify what factors most influence their relational satisfaction. The answers were coded and grouped into internal, relational, and external factors. Rich descriptions of the qualitative results are included. The qualitative data were also transposed into numerical representations to identify statistical differences and correlations between groups. The researcher identified a few significant and potentially significant demographic factors that merit further investigation including: gender, sexual orientation, parental status, commitment level, relationship status, and length of relationship. The qualitative factors found to significantly or practically significantly (small but notable effect sizes) impact relational satisfaction include: Infidelity, Religion/Morals, Parenting, Commitment/Hard Work, Communication, Domestic, Compatibility, Work/Time, Emotional Support, Finances, Extended Family, Friends, Stress/Trials, Addictions/Recovery, Social/Community Support, and Health/Aging. A new framework for understanding the key ingredients of relational satisfaction is proposed. These ingredients include: Trust, Safety, Stability/Security, Connection/Support, and the degree to which the couples perceived their expectations were being met in these areas. Application of Attachment Theory helped explain some of the findings. Implications for assessment of relational satisfaction and future research are discussed

Trends in Resource Utilization by Children with Neurological Impairment in the United States Inpatient Health Care System: A Repeat Cross-Sectional Study

Jay Berry and colleagues report findings from an analysis of hospitalization data in the US, examining the proportion of inpatient resources attributable to care for children with neurological impairment

Inpatient resource utilization attributable to children with neurological impairment, Kids' Inpatient Database 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006, by hospital type.

<p>These graphs describe the proportion of all pediatric inpatient health resources attributable to NI from each year. Proportion (with 95% confidence interval) of total number of hospitalizations, hospital bed days, and total aggregate charges are shown for all hospitals, non-children's hospitals, and children's hospitals. Each bar represents 1 y of data. The four bars in each group represent data from 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006.</p

Neurological impairment diagnosis code evaluation.

<p>This figure describes the results of the NI diagnosis code evaluation by independent pediatric neurologists.</p

Neurological impairment diagnoses of hospitalized children, Kids' Inpatient Database 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006.

<p>This graph describes the proportion of total NI hospitalizations attributable to each of the NI diagnosis categories.</p