Personality and marital satisfaction: a behavioural genetic analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica L. Spotts ◽  
Paul Lichtenstein ◽  
Nancy Pedersen ◽  
Jenae M. Neiderhiser ◽  
Kjell Hansson ◽  
...  

Previous research has found that genetic and nonshared environmental factors influence marital quality (Spotts et al., 2004). The current study explored personality as a source for these genetic and environmental individual differences. A sample of 752 Swedish twin women and their spouses were used. Genetic and environmental influences were found for self‐report measures of marital quality, but only environmental factors contributed to the variance of observational measures of marital quality. Wives' personality characteristics accounted for genetic and nonshared environmental variance in the wives' own marital satisfaction, their husbands' marital satisfaction, and the agreement between the spouses on the quality of their marriage. Genetic influences on the correlation between wives' genetically influenced personality characteristics and their husbands' marital satisfaction indicate a gene–environment correlation. Contrary to expectations, husbands' personality did not explain large portions of wives' marital satisfaction beyond that explained by wives' personality. This study emphasizes the importance of spousal personality to the well‐being of marriages, and results are discussed within the context of three different theories regarding associations between personality and marital quality. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jody M. Ganiban ◽  
Erica L. Spotts ◽  
Paul Lichtenstein ◽  
Gagan S. Khera ◽  
David Reiss ◽  
...  

AbstractPrevious studies indicate that the emotional quality of marital relationships is mirrored in parent–child relationships. We explored the degree to which these associations are explained by genetic and environmental factors. Participants were drawn from the Twin and Offspring Study in Sweden (TOSS), and included 544 female twin pairs (258 monozygotic [MZ], 286 dizygotic [DZ]), and 311 male twin pairs (128 MZ, 183 DZ). The spouses and one adolescent child of each twin also participated in this study. The twins completed self-report measures that assessed their marital quality and their warmth and negativity towards their children. Observational ratings of marital warmth and negativity, and of maternal warmth and negativity were obtained for a subset of female twin pairs (150 MZ, 176 DZ). Selfreported marital satisfaction was associated with self-reported parental warmth and negativity for mothers (rs = .25, -.36) and fathers (rs = .25, -.44). For the observational measures, marital warmth was associated with maternal warmth (r = .42), while marital negativity was associated with maternal negativity (r = .34). On average genetic factors explained nearly half of the covariance between selfreported marital satisfaction and parenting for mothers (48%) and fathers (47%). Genetic factors explained 21% of the covariance between observed marital and maternal warmth, but did not contribute to associations between marital and maternal negativity. These findings indicate that parents' genetically influenced characteristics help shape the emotional climate of the family.


2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
C-H Chang ◽  
D Cella ◽  
O Fernández ◽  
G Luque ◽  
P de Castro ◽  
...  

Objective: The cross-sectional study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) Spanish version and its use in measuring quality of life (QOL) of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Spain. Methods: The FAMS is a factorially derived self-report scale designed to assess six primary aspects of QOL of patients with MS: Mobility, Symptoms, Emotional Well-Being, General Contentment, Thinking and Fatigue, and Family/Social Well-Being. Its Spanish translated version was used to assess QOL of 625 MS patients recruited in an outpatient clinic setting from 58 hospitals in Spain. Internal consistency of the Spanish FAMS was evaluated. Multiple regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors from demographic, clinical and treatment characteristics, and Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores in predicting FAMS scale scores. Results: Most of the patients are females (66%), and 74% were of the relapsing-remitting (RR) clinical subtype. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were high (range=0.78-0.96), indicating subscale homogeneity comparable to that of the original English version. Linear multivariate regression analyses revealed that the EDSS is a dominant variable in predicting all the FAMS subscales, especially mobility (R2=0.51) and the total scores. Conclusions: The Spanish FAMS is a psychometrically valid instrument that allows clinicians and clinical researchers the ability to measure the QOL concerns of MS patients in Spain.


2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Merkes

Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is a structured group program that uses mindfulness meditation to improve well-being and alleviate suffering. This article reviews the impact of MBSR for people with chronic diseases. The review includes original research that was published in English and peer-reviewed and reported outcomes for adults with chronic diseases who had participated in an MBSR program. Fifteen studies were identified. Outcomes related to mental and physical health, well-being, and quality of life. The studies included different research designs, and used self-report and physiological outcome measures. Participants’ clinical diagnoses included fibromyalgia, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, and cardiovascular diagnoses. All 15 studies found that participation in an MBSR program resulted in improvements. No negative change was reported between baseline and follow up. Outcomes in regard to specific variables were difficult to compare and equivocal. Overall, positive change predominated. Chronic diseases are associated with a range of unwelcome psychological and physical consequences. Participation in an MBSR program is likely to result in coping better with symptoms, improved overall well-being and quality of life, and enhanced health outcomes. As an adjunct to standard care, MBSR has potential for much wider application in Australian primary care settings.


1986 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 720-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.M. Waring ◽  
David Patton ◽  
Carol Ann Neson ◽  
Winnie Linker

Epidemiological research has demonstrated that married individuals generally experience better emotional health than the single, divorced and widowed. The married populations in these studies were not evaluated on the basis of the quality of their marital relationships. Research on the interpersonal quality of marital relationships in the general married population has rarely been reported in the psychiatric literature. A sample of the general married population (n = 250 couples) completed a self-report questionnaire which measures the quality and the quantity of intimacy in marriage. Four types of marital patterns were operationally defined by total intimacy score, pattern of scale profile, and social desirability scores. The relative frequencies of these types of marriages are reported. The prevalence of symptoms of non-psychotic, emotional illness in one or both spouses in the four categories of marriage is reported. Thirty-one percent (31%) of the couples report marriages with absent and/or deficient intimacy. Couples with “absent and/or deficient” marital intimacy had a significantly higher proportion of spouses with symptoms of non-psychotic emotional illness. This study suggests that previous research may have confounded the variables of marital status and marital quality in the study of psychiatric disorder. These studies may have under-estimated the positive effect of an “optimally” intimate relationship.


2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e23557-e23557
Author(s):  
Jonathan R. Day ◽  
Benjamin Miller ◽  
Sarah L. Mott ◽  
Bradley T. Loeffler ◽  
Munir Tanas ◽  
...  

e23557 Background: Sarcomas are a diverse group of neoplasms that vary greatly in clinical presentation and responsiveness to treatment. Given the differences in the sites of involvement, rarity, and treatment modality, a multidisciplinary approach is required. Previous literature suggests patients with sarcoma suffer from poorer quality of life (QoL) especially physical and functional well-being. This study aims to understand if there is an association between treatment at a tertiary sarcoma center and a difference in QoL. Methods: De-identified data was obtained from the Sarcoma Tissue Repository at University of Iowa. Mixed effects regression models were utilized to evaluate the association between disease and treatment characteristics and QoL. QoL was assessed using the self-report FACT-G questionnaire at 12-, 24-, and 36-months post-diagnosis; overall scores and the 4 well-being subscales (Physical, Emotional, Social, Functional) were calculated. Results: 443 patients were identified. Soft tissue sarcomas were more prevalent (87.6%) than bone (12.4%). 53% of patients received chemotherapy and 38.6% got radiation therapy. Sarcomas were most frequently located in the lower extremities(ext.) (33.1%), followed by abdomen (20.9%), pelvic (13.6%), upper ext. (13.1%), thorax (11.3%), head & neck (7.8%). For ext. sarcoma; lower ext: 144 (71.3%), Upper ext: 58 (28.7%). Patients with extremity sarcoma; 133 had limb sparing and 48 had amputations. FACT-G Scores did not appreciably vary between 12, 24-, and 36-month for any QoL responses. Overall well-being had a mean score reported of 87.7 (sd = 15.7). Social well-being sores averaged 23.5 (5.0). Emotional well-being (EWB) 19.2 (4.1) and functional well-being (FWB) 21.3 (6.1), and physical well-being (PWB) 23.7 (4.6). There was no association between overall, PWB, EWB, or FWB with the histological subtype, radiation treatment, type of limb surgery, or any location in the same patients over time. Chemotherapy treatments were associated with lower well-being in multiple domains; PWB scores being 2.01 points lower, (p < 0.01), EWB scores being 1.27 points lower (p = 0.01) and FWB scores being 1.72 (p = 0.03), and 4.44 points lower overall (p = 0.03), on average, after adjusting for overall changes across time. Patients with ext. sarcoma only overall FACT-G scores differed 6.72 points higher for upper ext. than lower ext (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Overall QoL areas were similar to normative FACT-G scores both overall and specific areas. Having received chemotherapy was associated with lower well-being scores physically, emotionally, functionally, and overall. There were no clinically relevant differences reported in QoL scores between 12-,24-, and 36-months in the same patients. Further work is needed to describe QoL differences among patients with sarcoma at tertiary centers and examine what protective factors may influence patient well-being.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-206
Author(s):  
Mosammat Shamsun Naher Begum ◽  
Wongchan Petpichetchian ◽  
Luppana Kitrungrote

Background: The present study was aimed to the relationships between symptom severity and distress and quality of life (QoL) of patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.Objectives and methodology: A total number of 132 patients, attending both In-patient and Out-patient department and fulfilling the recruitment criteria were included in the study. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect data from the eligible participants by the primary investigator. The data were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. Results: On average, the participants of the study experienced seventeen symptoms with moderate level. The level of QoL of the participants was at moderate level (M=2.02, SD=0.39). Among all the subscales, the physical well-being had the lowest score and social well-being had highest score. Symptom experience and quality of life showed significant negative correlation. Conclusion: The patients with breast cancer would experience high symptoms during a 7-day period after receiving chemotherapy of the previous cycle. Nurses need to perform full measurement of multiple symptoms when care for breast cancer patients after the administration of chemotherapy.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.15(2) 2016 p.201-206


2021 ◽  
pp. 1985-1990
Author(s):  
Ahmet Maslakçı ◽  
Lütfi Sürücü ◽  
Harun Sesen

This study was conducted in order to analyze the effect of the nurses’ quality of work life based on fear about COVID-19 and examine the psychological well-being as a moderating variable in this relationship. The survey questionnaire was administered among nurses between 1 November 2020 and 14 November 2020. The self-report survey comprised the nurse information survey, Fear of COVID-19 Scale, work quality of life scale, and psychological well-being scale as data collection tools. Data were obtained from 339 nurses. The findings show that fear of COVID-19 negatively affects nurses’ quality of work life. It has been determined that PWB plays a moderating role in this relationship. While the fear of COVID-19 negatively affects the quality of work life in nurses with low psychological well-being, there is not any kind of significant effect on the quality of work life in nurses with high psychological well-being. This result shows that as the psychological well-being of nurses’ increases, fear of COVID-19 effect on quality of work life decreases. The results of the study show that responses designed to enhance psychological well-being can enhance nurses' working conditions that could reduce the negative effects of the fear of COVID-19. There is an urgent need for clinical and policy strategies to help increase nurses’ PWB in order to increase the quality of work life by reducing fear and also anxiety among nurses fighting on the front line during COVID-19.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 5528-5528
Author(s):  
Mona Elsamahy ◽  
Ashraf Abdelmonem ◽  
Shahinda Abdelrahman

Abstract Survival itself has, until recently, been the marker of successful cancer therapy, but now more attention is being focused on the long-term effects of cancer therapy and the quality of life (QOL)of the survivors. OBJECTIVE: To assess health related quality of life and behavior and emotional problems among childhood cancer survivors at Ain Shams Pediatric Oncology Clinic, Cairo, Egypt. DESIGN: This study was conducted on 30 childhood cancer survivors attending the cancer survivors’ clinic at Ain Sham Children’s University Hospital in the period of October 2004–April 2005. The PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales (physical, emotional, social and, school functioning) translated into Arabic language has been utilized. Parallel child self-report and parent proxy-report questionnaire formats have been used. Items were reverse-scored and linearly transformed to a 0–100 scale, so that higher scores indicate better QOL. Assessment of behavioral and emotional disturbance was performed using The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) Results: Age range 6–16 years with a mean age of 10.7±2.9 years, 18 (60%) were males and 12(40%) were females. Seventeen patients (56.6%) were acute leukemia survivors and 10(43.4%) lymphomas and solid tumors. There was statistically significant (p<0.001) decrease in the overall generic PedsQL in cancer survivors (mean 67±11.6) compared to normal children (mean 83.9±12.5) with school functioning area being the most affected (score 47.5±13). ALL survivors had significantly lower mean QOL (62.5±11.8) compared to other cancer survivors (72.8±8.8) (p<0.05). Gender (females) and CNS-directed therapy were risk factors for poorer QOL. Strong agreement between parents and their children QOL rating was seen in most of the QOL domains {overall QOL (p=0.001) physical well being (p=0.04), emotional feelings (p=0.0004), and social interaction (p=0.003) with the strongest correlation in the school domain (p=0.000004)}. Fifty three percent of the survivors showed clinical range of social incompetence with survivors who were diagnosed before the age of 3 were less socially competent than those who were diagnosed after this age (p<0.05), 63% expressed Internalizing behavioral problems and while 23% had Externalizing problems. CONCLUSION: This results demonstrate Chidhood cancer survivors are at significant risk of poor psychosocial functioning and QOL.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 117
Author(s):  
Kamal Khurana

Spiritually is an essential part of our physical and mental well-being. Spirituality dimensions also effects marital quality. This paper presents evidences that there exists a positive effect of spirituality dimensions on marital satisfaction. The results are proved through structural equation modeling among the latent variables- direct relationship with God, relationship with God through others and martial satisfaction- in a cross-sectional study of 382 married adults aged 18 to 48 years comprising of 225 males and 157 female respondents. Data was collected in Delhi NCR region through self-administrated questionnaire formulated through marital quality index (Norton, 1983)15 and daily spiritual scale (Underwood, 2002)19. Results of structural equation modeling suggest that there is a positive impact of spirituality dimensions on marital satisfaction.


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