Teen chat: A guide to discussing healthy relationships

Childhood maltreatment (CM) has long been recognized as a risk factor for good intimate relationships. Research on the effects of CM on relationship functioning has focused on sexual abuse in girls. However, CM also includes emotional and physical abuse and neglect and is also common in boys. Moreover, prior research has mostly focused on individuals in isolation, ignoring that marriage is a system in which two partners mutually influence each other. Questions also remain about mediating and protective factors for healthy relationships in the context of CM. This article reviews the literature on the link between different forms of CM and one’s own and one’s partner relationship quality. It reviews 43 empirical studies that assessed associations between CM in any form and relationship quality. Also, mediating and protective factors and major methodological topics are examined. The review indicated that CM (neglect, sexual, emotional, or physical abuse) is associated with lower relationship quality in men and women. Psychological distress, cognitive and behavioral problems, insecure attachment, and self-dysregulation were identified as mediating factors. Protective processes involve good coping strategies, emotion regulation, parental support, and early secure attachment, but not partner characteristics. The results regarding gender are inconclusive. It is crucial to broaden the research on the dyadic effects of CM of various forms on relationship quality and study mediating and protective factors. More studies on neglect and diverse populations are needed, as well as prospective studies. This will enable the development of prevention programs for couples with a partner exposed to CM.

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Photo-Based Evaluation: A Method for Participatory Evaluation With Adolescents

American Journal of Evaluation ◽

10.1177/1098214020927785 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 109821402092778

Author(s):

Deinera Exner-Cortens ◽

Kathleen C. Sitter ◽

Marisa Van Bavel ◽

Alysia Wright

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Evaluation Method ◽

Prevention Programs ◽

Research Process ◽

Youth Engagement ◽

Youth Health ◽

Visual Evaluation ◽

Healthy Relationships ◽

Visual Research ◽

Translation Tools

Actively engaging adolescents in meaningful program evaluation is a topic of growing interest. One possibility for such engagement is the use of photographs as part of visual evaluation, so that youth can directly engage with the research process. In this Method Note, we describe the development and implementation of a participatory, photo-based evaluation method for youth health promotion/prevention programs. Youth in this study were participants in a gender-transformative healthy relationships program for boys. We present literature supporting the use of photographs as a visual research method and for involving youth as active participants in evaluation, and explore the feasibility, utility, and acceptability of this innovative application of existing methods based on researcher experience and youth feedback. We conclude with implications for photo-based evaluation of health promotion/prevention programs, highlighting the promise of this method for promoting critical youth engagement in evaluation and the creation of meaningful knowledge translation tools.

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A Men’s Survey: Exploring Well-Being, Healthy Relationships and Violence Prevention

The Journal of Men s Studies ◽

10.1177/10608265211018817 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 106082652110188

Author(s):

Liza Lorenzetti ◽

Vic Lantion ◽

David C. Este ◽

Percy Murwisi ◽

Jeff Halvorsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Violence Prevention ◽

Well Being ◽

Cultural Groups ◽

Community Based ◽

Healthy Relationships ◽

Community Based Research ◽

On Line ◽

Multiple Challenges ◽

Research Assistants ◽

African Canadian

The participation of men is critical to preventing domestic violence, however, there is still little understanding of the capacities and supports that men need for well-being and healthy relationships. A men’s survey was designed to explore and identify the capacities and resources required by a diverse population of Canadian men. Data was collected on-line and through trained community-based research assistants. Over 2,000 men from 20 ethno-cultural groups responded, and multiple challenges and enablers were identified. Responses from Indigenous and African Canadian men highlight the need for an intersectional lens in understanding men’s well-being and violence prevention.

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A Systematic Literature Review Exploring Objectification and Motherhood

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1177/0361684320949810 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 521-538

Author(s):

Olivia Donati Beech ◽

Leah Kaufmann ◽

Joel Anderson

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

Disordered Eating ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Objectification Theory ◽

Body Shame ◽

Postpartum Women ◽

Fear Of Childbirth ◽

Healthy Relationships ◽

Generational Effects ◽

Self Objectification

Objectification theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding how socialization and experiences of objectification can lead women to place excessive value on their appearance—a process known as self-objectification. Despite the number of women that are mothers, the application of objectification theory to motherhood has been relatively limited. This review synthesizes the available research exploring objectification during motherhood. We conducted a systematic search for published and unpublished articles that quantitatively examined the objectification of, or self-objectification during, motherhood across five databases in March 2019. The search yielded 23 studies across 20 articles, which in combination revealed strong evidence of societal objectification of mothers and self-objectification by mothers. Effects were found for pregnant and postpartum women, in both community and university samples of mothers. Outcomes included more body shame, concerns about the negative impact of breastfeeding, barriers to breastfeeding, fear of childbirth, disordered eating, and greater appearance concerns in mothers, and sexualized behaviors and body surveillance for their children. Some evidence indicated that self-objectifying may be protective for mothers in certain situations, but it was mostly associated with harmful consequences. Finally, some evidence suggested that there may be age and generational effects of objectification, which may impact all women, including mothers. We hope these findings highlight the benefits for women to engage in healthy relationships with their bodies and to consider the functionality of their body as it changes in preparation for entering motherhood.

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