Dyadic Coping and Marital Satisfaction of Older Spouses in Long-Term Marriage

GeroPsych ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Landis ◽  
Melanie Peter-Wight ◽  
Mike Martin ◽  
Guy Bodenmann
Keyword(s):  
Marital Satisfaction ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Coping Behavior ◽  
Dyadic Coping ◽  
Functional Adaptation ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Daily Stress ◽  
Individual Support ◽  
Supportive Behavior

The present study examines the association between coping behavior and their relationship satisfaction in older spousal dyads. We examined N = 132 couples (M age = 68 years) and found that their dyadic coping strategies – a prime indicator of functional adaptation to daily stress in marital context – were significantly linked to relationship satisfaction. Our findings suggest that the partners’ subjective perception of their spouses’ supportive behavior was more strongly linked to their relationship satisfaction than self-reported support. Furthermore, individual support perception was more important for marital satisfaction than coping congruency. Overall, the dyadic coping of older adults may serve as an effective tool to stabilize relationship satisfaction when facing the challenges of older age and long-term marriage.

The Impact of Personality Disorders on Longitudinal Change in Relationship Satisfaction in Long-Term Married Couples

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan C. South ◽  
Michael J. Boudreaux ◽  
Thomas F. Oltmanns
Keyword(s):  
Marital Satisfaction ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Personality Disorders ◽  
Married Couples ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Longitudinal Change ◽  
The Impact

Personality disorders (PDs) are significantly, negatively related to marital satisfaction. We examine how maladaptive personality is related to change in marital satisfaction over time utilizing data from the St. Louis Personality and Aging Network (SPAN), a longitudinal, community-based study of personality and health in older adults. Participants were assessed at baseline for PD (self-report, informant-report, and structured interview); self- and spouse-reported relationship satisfaction assessed at baseline and five follow-ups was analyzed with latent growth curve modeling. Higher levels of PD at baseline were associated with lower self and spouse relationship satisfaction at baseline. On average, satisfaction did not change significantly over the study period, but there was significant individual variability. Higher levels of schizoid PD were protective of declines in partner's perception of satisfaction. Findings suggest that partners in long-term married unions may have adapted to the presence of their own or their spouse's level of personality pathology.

scholarly journals Commitment and Dyadic Coping in Long-Term Relationships

GeroPsych ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 139-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Landis ◽  
Guy Bodenmann ◽  
Thomas N. Bradbury ◽  
Veronika Brandstätter ◽  
Melanie Peter-Wight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Dyadic Coping ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
High Satisfaction ◽  
Maintenance Behavior

Background: Previous research focused on relationship commitment as the outcome of high satisfaction, poor alternatives, and high investments. We propose that commitment is a prerequisite in highly satisfied couples, fostering relationship maintenance behavior such as positive dyadic coping. Method: Structural equation models identified the relationship between commitment, relationship satisfaction, and dyadic coping with data from 201 heterosexual couples with an average relationship length of 34 years. Results: The common fate model confirmed that relationship satisfaction mediated the effects between commitment and dyadic coping on a latent dyadic level. Additional analyses revealed that women’s satisfaction was mainly responsible for mediating effects between both partners’ commitment and dyadic coping. Conclusions: Findings support the essentiality of commitment for couples’ maintenance strategies and for consistency in long-term relationships.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy for the Treatment of Hypernasality: A Single Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 48-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshmi Kollara ◽  
Graham Schenck ◽  
Jamie Perry
Keyword(s):  
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ◽  
Airway Pressure ◽  
Positive Airway Pressure ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Subjective Perception ◽  
Cpap Therapy ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Studies have investigated the applications of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy in the treatment of hypernasality due to velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD; Cahill et al., 2004; Kuehn, 1991; Kuehn, Moon, & Folkins, 1993; Kuehn et al., 2002). The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of CPAP therapy to reduce hypernasality in a female subject, post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and pharyngeal flap, who presented with signs of VPD including persistent hypernasality. Improvements in mean velopharyngeal orifice size, subjective perception of hypernasality, and overall intelligibility were observed from the baseline to 8-week post-treatment assessment intervals. Additional long-term assessments completed at 2, 3, and 4 months post-treatment indicated decreases in immediate post-treatment improvements. Results from the present study suggest that CPAP is a safe, non-invasive, and relatively conservative treatment method for reduction of hypernasality in selected patients with TBI. More stringent long-term follow up may indicate the need for repeated CPAP treatment to maintain results.

Age Differences in Types and Perceptions of Daily Stress

2021 ◽  
pp. 009141502110015
Author(s):  
Alexis R. Stefaniak ◽  
Jessica M. Blaxton ◽  
C. S. Bergeman
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preventative Care ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Daily Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Related Stress

The present study explores differences in daily stress across individuals of varying ages. Specifically, we explore whether age group (young adult, midlife, late midlife, later life) relates to differences in types of stress (family, friends, partner, health, finances, work), total stress exposure, and perceptions of daily stress intensity. Participants from the Notre Dame Study of Health & Well-being (NDHWB; N = 891) completed daily questionnaires assessing negative small life events and perceived stress for 8 weeks. Findings indicated that young adults reported a higher average number of family, spouse, finance, and work-related stress. Additionally, total daily stress was highest among young adults, and perceived stress was lowest among later life adults. Because daily stress relates to long-term mental and physical stress, gaining a better understanding of how individuals at different points in the life span uniquely experience stress can inform intervention and preventative care techniques aimed at promoting optimal well-being.

scholarly journals Temporal dynamics of couples’ communication behaviors in conflict discussions: A longitudinal analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 2937-2960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorena Leuchtmann ◽  
Anne Milek ◽  
Katharina Bernecker ◽  
Fridtjof W. Nussbeck ◽  
Sabine Backes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Efficacy Beliefs ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Communication Behaviors ◽  
Positive Communication ◽  
Conflict Communication ◽  
Negative Communication

Negative and positive conflict communication predicts long-term relationship satisfaction. However, some studies show harmful effects and others show beneficial effects of negative conflict communication on long-term relationship satisfaction. One reason for the heterogeneous results might be that most studies focused on aggregated behaviors across a conflict interaction but neglected the temporal dynamics within such an interaction. This study examined whether individual initial levels and temporal trajectories of negative and positive communications predict long-term relationship satisfaction, and whether self-efficacy beliefs about clarity of other’s feelings (CoF) alter initial levels and temporal trajectories of negative and positive communications. Negative and positive communications were measured based on sequentially coded conflict discussions of 365 couples; self-efficacy beliefs about CoF and relationship satisfaction were measured by self-report questionnaires at baseline and at four annual follow-up assessments. Results revealed that women’s initial positive communication predicted higher intercepts of both partners’ relationship satisfaction, and stronger decreases in women’s negative communication predicted a higher intercept of relationship satisfaction in women. Additionally, less steep decreases in women’s trajectories of negative communication predicted greater maintenance in women’s relationship satisfaction over time. Additionally, men’s self-efficacy beliefs about CoF predicted decreases in men’s negative communication, increases in women’s negative communication, and higher initial levels of women’s positive communication. The current study highlights the relevance of dynamic aspects of partners’ communication behaviors.

scholarly journals Claims for sickness and disability benefits owing to mental disorders in the UK: trends from 1995 to 2014

BJPsych Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastião Viola ◽  
Joanna Moncrieff
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Disability Benefits ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Individual Support ◽  
Government Data ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundThere is international concern about the levels of sickness and disability benefits, with mental disorders known to account for a large proportion of claims.AimsTo examine trends in sickness and disability benefits awarded for mental disorders in the UK.MethodThe researchers analysed UK Government data from 1995 to 2014.ResultsMental disorders have become the most common cause of receiving benefits, with the number of claimants rising by 103% from 1995 to 1.1 million in 2014. Claimants with other conditions fell by 35%. In 2014, 47% of claims were attributed to a mental disorder. The number of long-term claimants (claiming over 5 years) with mental disorders increased by 87% from 2000 to 2011. Two-thirds of mental disorder claimants were classified as having a depressive or anxiety disorder.ConclusionsCommon mental disorders may involve greater morbidity and social costs than usually recognised. Availability of suitable employment, as well as individual support, may be necessary to reduce benefit levels.

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