THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PARTNERS' EXPRESSED EMOTION AND DEPRESSION:MEDIATED BY PATIENTS' DYSFUNCTIONAL ATTITUDES?

The respective roles of expressed emotion and dysfunctional cognitive processes are well documented in depression, but their interplay has seldom been given attention. We examined the patients' and partners' expressed emotion (EE) and dysfunctional attitudes in predicting depressive symptoms in a sample of N = 63 couples with one clinically-depressed partner (37 females and 26 males). Partners' EE played a more important role for patients' dysfunctional attitudes and their depressive symptoms; nondepressed partners' dysfunctional attitudes and depressive symptoms were unaffected by patients' EE. In contrasting two models that predict self-reported and clinician-rated depression, we found more support for dysfunctional attitudes serving as a mediator rather than a moderator for the association between partners' EE and patients' depressive symptoms. Partners' criticism may play a role worthy of more attention in depressed patients' dysfunctional attitudes and maintenance of their depres

Analyzing Dyadic Sequence Data—Research Questions and Implied Statistical Models

Fuchs P, Nussbeck FW, Meuwly N, Bodenmann G. Analyzing Dyadic Sequence Data—Research Questions and Implied Statistical Models. Frontiers in Psychology. 2017;8: 429.The analysis of observational data is often seen as a key approach to understanding dynamics in romantic relationships but also in dyadic systems in general. Statistical models for the analysis of dyadic observational data are not commonly known or applied. In this contribution, selected approaches to dyadic sequence data will be presented with a focus on models that can be applied when sample sizes are of medium size (N = 100 couples or less). Each of the statistical models is motivated by an underlying potential research question, the most important model results are presented and linked to the research question. The following research questions and models are compared with respect to their applicability using a hands on approach: (I) Is there an association between a particular behavior by one and the reaction by the other partner? (Pearson Correlation); (II) Does the behavior of one member trigger an immediate reaction by the other? (aggregated logit models; multi-level approach; basic Markov model); (III) Is there an underlying dyadic process, which might account for the observed behavior? (hidden Markov model); and (IV) Are there latent groups of dyads, which might account for observing different reaction patterns? (mixture Markov; optimal matching). Finally, recommendations for researchers to choose among the different models, issues of data handling, and advises to apply the statistical models in empirical research properly are given (e.g., in a new r-package “DySeq”)

Dyadisches Coping Inventar (DCI): ein Fragebogen zur Erfassung des partnerschaftlichen Umgangs mit Stress

'Stress und Stressbewältigung werden innerhalb von Partnerschaften zunehmend als dyadische Phänomene begriffen. Um dieser Sichtweise diagnostisch Rechnung zu tragen, wird das Dyadische Coping Inventar (DCI) zur Erfassung des partnerschaftlichen Umgangs mit Stress vorgestellt. Es handelt sich dabei um eine Weiterentwicklung des Fragebogens zum dyadischen Coping (FDCT-N, Bodenmann 2000). Die faktorielle und psychometrische Überprüfung erfolgte an insgesamt N=2399 Personen. Die Ergebnisse sprechen für die Testgüte des Instruments. Die theoretisch postulierte Faktorenstruktur konnte durch Faktorenanalysen empirische Evidenz finden. Die internen Konsistenzen fielen insgesamt gut aus, die Test-Retest-Korrelationen lagen erwartungsgemäß im mittleren Bereich. Die Konstruktvalidität war ebenfalls gut, die kriterienbezogene Validität befriedigend. Weiterhin werden Cut-Off-Werte präsentiert, die erlauben, Paare nach der Güte des dyadischen Copings einzuteilen. Das DC1 eignet sich gleichermaßen für klinische Fragestellungen (z.B. Interventionsforschung), Partnerschaftsdiagnostik und Therapieevaluation sowie für entwicklungs- oder gesundheitspsychologische Fragestellungen.' (Autorenreferat)'Stress and coping in couples are increasingly conceptualized as dyadic phenomena. One tool for the assessment of dyadic coping processes in couples is the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI), a further development of the formerly used Dyadic Coping Questionnaire (FDCT-N, Bodenmann 2000). The psychometrics of the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) have been examined in a large validation study involving a total of N=2,399 subjects. The results provide empirical evidence for the quality of the test. The theoretically postulated dimensions of dyadic coping were empirically supported by factor analyses. The internal consistencies of the total scale and the different subscales were good. The test-retest-correlation reveals that the questionnaire is sensitive for change. The construct validity is given, the criterion validity satisfactory. Furthermore cut-off criteria are presented to differentiate between couples depending on their quality of dyadic coping. The DCI is suitable for clinical research (e.g. intervention research), couples diagnostic, evaluation of couples therapy, developmental or health psychology.' (author's abstract)

Intimate Pride: a Tri-Nation Study on Associations between Positive Minority Identity Aspects and Relationship Quality in Sexual Minorities from German-Speaking Countries

Investigations into the intimate relationships of sexual minorities are proliferating, but often adopt a deficit-oriented and US-centered perspective. In this tri-nation online study with sexual minority participants from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland (N = 571), we (i) assessed the construct validity of the German version of a well-known measure for positive minority identity aspects (the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Positive Identity Measure; LGB-PIM), and (ii) explored associations between these aspects (self-awareness, authenticity, community, capacity for intimacy, and social justice) and self-reported relationship quality. Model fit of the German version of the LGB-PIM was deemed acceptable. Higher levels of positive minority identity aspects showed small to moderate associations with higher levels of relationship quality in bivariate analyses, but only capacity for intimacy was linked to relationship quality in higher-order models (controlling for country, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship length, and psychological distress). Results remained robust in several sensitivity analyses. Our results highlight the differential role of positive identity aspects for relationship functioning, with capacity for intimacy as a fruitful leverage point for therapeutic work

Internalisierte Transnegativität, Resilienzfaktoren und psychische Gesundheit in einer Stichprobe geschlechtlicher Minderheiten in Deutschland und der Schweiz

Zusammenfassung: Theoretischer Hintergrund: Trans*, inter* und nichtbinäre Personen erfahren Diskriminierung und weisen im Vergleich zur Gesamtpopulation eine höhere Prävalenz von affektiven und Angststörungen auf. Fragestellung: Diese präregistrierte Studie überprüft basierend auf dem Minderheiten-stressmodell den Zusammenhang zwischen Selbststigmatisierung (internalisierte Transnegativität) und psychischer Gesundheit und untersucht Resilienzfaktoren als Moderatoren. Methode: In einer Stichprobe deutscher und Schweizer trans*, inter* und nichtbinärer Personen ( N = 243) wurden multiple lineare Regressions- und Moderationsanalysen berechnet, um Zusammenhänge zwischen internalisierter Transnegativität und Angst- und depressiver Symptomatik sowie Resilienzfaktoren zu prüfen. Ergebnisse: Die Ergebnisse zeigen positive Zusammenhänge zwischen internalisierter Transnegativität und Angst- und depressiver Symptomatik. Die Resilienzfaktoren soziale Unterstützung und Verbundenheit mit der LGBT+ Community sind negativ mit internalisierter Transnegativität assoziiert. Keiner der Resilienzfaktoren moderierte die Zusammenhänge zwischen internalisierter Transnegativität und psychischer Gesundheit. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Studie bestätigt internationale Befunden zum Zusammenhang zwischen internalisierter Transnegativität und psychischer Gesundheit. Mehr Forschung ist nötig, um die Rolle der Resilienzfaktoren im Minderheitenstressmodell zu klären

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Dyadic interaction under stress : the role of adult romantic attachment

Dyadisches Coping ist eine wichtige Ressource, insbesondere zur Bewältigung von paarexternem Stress. Jedoch scheinen nicht alle Personen gleichermassen von der Unterstützung des Partners profitieren zu können. Unterstützung beim Partner zu suchen ist ein Merkmal sicherer Bindung. Unsichere Bindung hingegen, ist verbunden mit dysfunktionalem interpersonellem Verhalten und negativer Wahrnehmung von Interaktionen, und könnte daher die Effekte von Dyadischem Coping auf das Wohlbefinden der Partner moderieren. Das Ziel der folgenden Studie war es, die Effekte von Bindungsangst und - vermeidung auf die dyadische Interaktion und die Erholung von Stress zu untersuchen. 198 Paare wurden randomisiert auf drei experimentelle Gruppen aufgeteilt: (a) die Frau, (b) der Mann oder (c) beide Partner absolvierten den Trier Social Stress Test (TSST; Kirschbaum, Pirke, & Hellhammer, 1993). Die Paar-Interaktionen nach dem TSST wurden videographiert und anschliessend das Stresskommunikations- und Unterstützungsverhalten der Partner kodiert. In den Gruppen mit nur einem gestressten Partner, erholten sich gestresste Personen schneller vom Stress, je mehr positive Unterstützung sie von ihrem Partner erhielten. Dieser positive Effekt von Dyadischem Coping war bei den Frauen moderiert durch Bindungsangst. Zudem zeichneten sich hoch bindungsängstliche Frauen durch eine oberflächlichere Stresskommunikation und eine schlechtere Unterstützungsqualität aus. Bei Männern hingegen, gab es einen positiven Zusammenhang zwischen Bindungsangst und emotionsbezogener Unterstützung, während hoch vermeidende Männer ihren Partnerinnen mehr nonverbale und weniger negative Unterstützung gewährten. Waren beide Partner gestresst, veränderten sich die Effekte der Bindungsdimensionen. Basierend auf den dargestellten Ergebnissen und theoretischen Konzepten von Stress, Dyadischem Coping und Bindung im Erwachsenenalter wird ein neues Modell skizziert, welches die Effekte von Bindungsrepräsentationen auf die Partnerschaftsqualität sowie auf das psychische und physische Wohlbefinden der Partner zusammenfasst. Das vorgeschlagene Modell bietet Ansatzpunkte für Paarinterventionen, insbesondere der Drei-Phasen-Methode von Bodenmann (2007, 2009; Bodenmann & Shantinath, 2004). In the context of an extradyadic stress, dyadic coping is an important resource to cope and it is known for its stress buffering effects. Relying on the partner as a safe haven when stressed is a characteristic of secure attachment. However, not all individuals seem to benefit equally from a partner’s support. Insecure attachment has been thought to influence behavior and perceptions of dyadic coping and, as a result, to moderate the effects of support on well- being. The goal of the present study was to trigger dyadic coping behavior in couples in order to examine effects of attachment anxiety and avoidance on dyadic interaction and stress recovery. A total of 198 heterosexual couples were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions: 1) either the woman, 2) the man, 3) or each of the partners was stressed by means of the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST, Kirschbaum, Pirke, & Hellhammer, 1993), a highly standardized extradyadic stressor. Couples’ interactions following the TSST were videotaped and subsequently coded, differentiating for stress communication (i.e., support seeking) and support providing behaviors. When only one partner was stressed, individuals recovered faster from stress the more positive support they received from their partner. In women, this positive effect of support was moderated by attachment anxiety. Furthermore, highly anxious women were characterized by superficial stress communication and poorer support providing quality. For men, on the other hand, higher attachment anxiety was related to increased emotion- focused support behavior, while higher attachment avoidance was related to decreased nonverbal and increased negative support behavior. When both partners were stressed, and thus simultaneously providing and seeking support, the effects of attachment were different. Based on the findings and presented concepts of stress, dyadic coping, and adult romantic attachment, a new model summarizing the impacts of partners’ attachment on relationship quality as well as on partner’s mental and physical health is outlined. The model offers indications for couple interventions, especially for the Three-phase-method by Bodenmann (2007, 2009; Bodenmann & Shantinath, 2004)

Analyzing Dyadic Sequence Data-Research Questions and Implied Statistical Models

The analysis of observational data is often seen as a key approach to understanding dynamics in romantic relationships but also in dyadic systems in general. Statistical models for the analysis of dyadic observational data are not commonly known or applied. In this contribution, selected approaches to dyadic sequence data will be presented with a focus on models that can be applied when sample sizes are of medium size (N = 100 couples or less). Each of the statistical models is motivated by an underlying potential research question, the most important model results are presented and linked to the research question. The following research questions and models are compared with respect to their applicability using a hands on approach: (I) Is there an association between a particular behavior by one and the reaction by the other partner? (Pearson Correlation); (II) Does the behavior of one member trigger an immediate reaction by the other? (aggregated logit models; multi-level approach; basic Markov model); (III) Is there an underlying dyadic process, which might account for the observed behavior? (hidden Markov model); and (IV) Are there latent groups of dyads, which might account for observing different reaction patterns? (mixture Markov; optimal matching). Finally, recommendations for researchers to choose among the different models, issues of data handling, and advises to apply the statistical models in empirical research properly are given (e.g., in a new r-package "DySeq")