scholarly journals Alexithymia, Fear of Intimacy, and Relationship Satisfaction

2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110102
Author(s):  
Michael Lyvers ◽  
Louisa Pickett ◽  
Katarina Needham ◽  
Fred Arne Thorberg
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Couples Therapy ◽  
Attachment Security ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Couple Relationship ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Fear Of Intimacy ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
Relevant Covariates

Alexithymia, fear of intimacy, attachment security, and mood variables were examined as predictors of satisfaction in couple relationships after accounting for age, sex, relationship length, and marital status. Participants were 158 adults (52% women and 48% men) in an ongoing couple relationship for 1-19 years. They completed validated measures of the variables of interest online. Bivariate correlations were significant for all predicted associations. Multiple mediation modelling examined the hypothesis that the low relationship satisfaction reported by those with alexithymia can be explained by fear of intimacy, insecure attachment, and negative affect, after accounting for relevant covariates. Mediation was indicated for fear of intimacy and negative affect. Such factors may merit particular attention by clinicians working with alexithymic clients in couples therapy.

scholarly journals Problematic Internet Usage and Self-Esteem in Chinese Undergraduate Students: The Mediation Effects of Individual Affect and Relationship Satisfaction

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 6949
Author(s):  
Guang Zeng ◽  
Lijin Zhang ◽  
Sai-fu Fung ◽  
Jingwen Li ◽  
Yi-Man Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Affect ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Problematic Internet Use ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediation Effects ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the mediating effects of individual affect and relationship satisfaction on the relationship between self-esteem and Problematic Internet Use (PIU). Affect was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), relationship satisfaction was assessed using a positive and negative semantic dimension scale, self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and PIU was measured using the Problematic Internet Use scale with a sample of 507 Chinese university students (Mage = 20.41 years, SD = 2.49). The relationships between the variables were tested using structural equation modelling with a multiple mediation model. The results revealed that negative affect and the negative semantic dimensions of relationship satisfaction mediated the relationship between self-esteem and PIU. The implications of the results and the study’s theoretical contributions are discussed.

The association between romantic competence and couple support behaviors in emerging adult couples

2020 ◽  
pp. 026540752098053
Author(s):  
Jiaqi Zhou ◽  
Vickie Bhatia ◽  
Tamara Luginbuehl ◽  
Joanne Davila
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Attachment Security ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Relationship Functioning ◽  
Relationship Education ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
Romantic Competence ◽  
Security Relationship ◽  
Novel Target ◽  
Mixed Gender

This study examined the association between romantic competence and observed couple social support behaviors in a sample of 89 emerging adult mixed-gender couples ( M age = 20.65 for men, 20.16 for women). Across analyses, findings generally indicated that higher romantic competence was associated with both seeking and providing support in a more positive and less negative manner, even when controlling for attachment security, relationship satisfaction, and relationship length. The findings extend our understanding of how romantic competence affects dyadic processes, and identifies romantic competence as a novel target underlying the ability to effectively seek and provide support. Clinical implications for relationship education programs as well as psychotherapy that may be focused on improving relationship functioning is discussed.

scholarly journals Attachment and the Development of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescence: The Role of Regulating Positive and Negative Affect

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martine W. F. T. Verhees ◽  
Chloë Finet ◽  
Sien Vandesande ◽  
Margot Bastin ◽  
Patricia Bijttebier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Multiple Mediation ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Longitudinal Support ◽  
Regulation Strategies

AbstractAlthough widely accepted, attachment theory’s hypothesis that insecure attachment is associated with the development of depressive symptoms through emotion regulation strategies has never been longitudinally tested in adolescence. Additionally, previous research only focused on strategies for regulating negative affect, whereas strategies for regulating positive affect may also serve as a mechanism linking insecure attachment to depressive symptoms. This study aimed to fill these research gaps by testing whether the association between attachment and change in depressive symptoms over time is explained by strategies for regulating negative and positive affect in adolescence. Adolescents (N = 1706; 53% girls; Mage = 12.78 years, SDage = 1.54 at Time 1) were tested three times, with a 1-year interval between measurement times. They reported on their attachment anxiety and avoidance at Time 1, depressive symptoms at Times 1 and 3, and regulation of negative affect (brooding and dampening) and positive affect (focusing and reflection) at Time 2. The results from multiple mediation analyses showed that more anxiously attached adolescents developed more depressive symptoms via increased brooding and dampening. More avoidantly attached adolescents developed more depressive symptoms via decreased focusing. These findings provide longitudinal support for attachment theory’s emotion regulation hypothesis, and show that the regulation of both negative and positive affect is important.

scholarly journals Violent Couples Seeking Therapy: Bilateral and Unilateral Violence

Partner Abuse ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chelsea A. Madsen ◽  
Sandra M. Stith ◽  
Cynthia J. Thomsen ◽  
Eric E. McCollum
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Couples Therapy ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Conflict Theory ◽  
Psychological Aggression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Male Violence ◽  
Female Violence

Little information is available about couples experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) who voluntarily seek couples therapy. We examined the characteristics of 129 couples who sought therapy for IPV to learn more about this population. A majority of the sample, 74%, experienced bilateral physical violence, 16% experienced unilateral male violence, and 5% experienced unilateral female violence. Conflict theory is used to explain the finding that couples experiencing bilateral violence reported higher levels of physical violence and injury than did those experiencing unilateral violence. Bilaterally violent couples also experienced more jealousy and psychological aggression and less relationship satisfaction than either group of unilaterally violent couples. Implications and suggestions for clinicians are offered, as well as ideas for future research.

Depressive Experience and Romantic Relationships in Young Adulthood

1998 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 339-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas L. Morrison ◽  
Anthony J. Urquiza ◽  
Beth L. Goodlin-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Attachment Security ◽  
Relationship Distress ◽  
Sexual Dissatisfaction ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Relational Aspect ◽  
The Relationship

This study examined the associations between two factors of depressive experience (dependency and self-criticism) and satisfaction in adult romantic relationships. The Depressive Experiences Questionnaire, along with measures of attachment and relationship satisfaction, were administered to 107 men and 140 women attending local community colleges. Self-criticism was associated with global relationship distress and sexual dissatisfaction. In a combined regression equation, measures of self-criticism, attachment security, and attachment activation all contributed to predicting general relationship distress. Only scores on self-criticism predicted sexual dissatisfaction. The relationship dissatisfaction reported by those with high scores on self-criticism appears to be a relational aspect of the “destructiveness of perfectionism” described by Blatt.

Humor in Couple Relationships: An Opportunity for Therapeutic Inquiry

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Wendy Talbot
Keyword(s):  
Couples Therapy ◽  
Couple Therapy ◽  
Relationship Development ◽  
Discursive Practice ◽  
Couple Relationship ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Complex Dynamic ◽  
Relational Practice ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Therapeutic Possibilities

Humor has been a focus of therapy literature for over a century and is considered an essential communication tool and important component of therapeutic relationships. Yet couple therapy literature does not feature humor as a relational practice or strategy for couples’ relationship development. When humor presents in a therapy conversation it offers opportunities for therapists to explore the implications and meanings for the couple relationship, potentially contributing to new and enhanced relationship experience. This article provides vignettes from one couple therapy conversation to illustrate therapeutic possibilities for exploration of couples’ humor. Therapists are encouraged to pay attention to humor as a complex, dynamic, discursive practice with therapeutic benefits for couples’ therapy.

scholarly journals Adult attachment, intimacy, commitment and passion in relation to relationship satisfaction

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Šlosáriková
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Couple Relationship ◽  
Significant Relation ◽  
Stepwise Method ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship

Objectives. The research aimed to examine the relationship between the different types ofadult attachment in (secure type, anxious and avoidant type) and relationship satisfaction.Also examine between relationship satisfaction and intimacy, commitment and passion.Sample and setting. The research sample consisted of 120 respondents aged 18 to 26 years (M= 22.54, SD = 1.71), students of the university. The sample consisted of 97 women and 23men.Hypotheses. We assume that a secure adult attachment would be positively related torelationship satisfaction. On the contrary, in the case of anxious and avoidant adultattachment, we assume a negative attitude towards relationship satisfaction. We assume thatintimacy, commitment and passion would be positively related to relationship satisfaction.Statistical analysis. Multiple linear hierarchical regression (stepwise method) was performedto verify the relations between the different types of adult attachment, intimacy, commitment,passion and relationship satisfaction.Results. Our research confirmed the relationship between adult attachment and relationshipsatisfaction, which was one of our main findings. Respondents who showed a secure type ofadult attachment were statistically more satisfied in a relationship than those who showedanxious or avoidant behavior. Another important finding was the significant relation betweenthe love component - intimacy and couple relationship satisfaction.Study limitation. As a possible limitation of our study, we consider that the data were obtainedonly from one of the partners.

Major depression as a predictor of the intergenerational transmission of attachment security: Findings from a pregnancy cohort study

2021 ◽  
pp. 000486742110607
Author(s):  
Megan Galbally ◽  
Stuart J Watson ◽  
Anne Tharner ◽  
Maartje Luijk ◽  
Gaynor Blankley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Adult Attachment ◽  
Attachment Security ◽  
Maternal Sensitivity ◽  
Adult Attachment Interview ◽  
Insecure Attachment ◽  
Parent Attachment ◽  
Strange Situation ◽  
Infant Attachment ◽  
Strange Situation Procedure

Objective: Understanding the relationship between attachment and mental health has an important role in informing management of perinatal mental disorders and for infant mental health. It has been suggested that experiences of attachment are transmitted from one generation to the next. Maternal sensitivity has been proposed as a mediator, although findings have not been as strong as hypothesised. A meta-analysis suggested that this intergenerational transmission of attachment may vary across populations with lower concordance between parent and infant attachment classifications in clinical compared to community samples. However, no previous study has examined major depression and adult attachment in pregnancy as predictors of infant–parent attachment classification at 12 months postpartum. Methods: Data were obtained on 52 first-time mothers recruited in early pregnancy, which included 22 women who met diagnostic criteria for current major depression using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The Adult Attachment Interview was also administered before 20 weeks of pregnancy. A history of early trauma was measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and maternal sensitivity was measured at 6 months postpartum using the observational measure of the Emotional Availability Scales. Infant–parent attachment was measured using the Strange Situation Procedure at 12 months. Results: Overall, we found no significant association between the Adult Attachment Interview and the Strange Situation Procedure classifications. However, a combination of maternal non-autonomous attachment on the Adult Attachment Interview and major depression was a significant predictor of insecure attachment on the Strange Situation Procedure. We did not find that maternal sensitivity mediated parental and infant attachment security in this sample. Conclusion: While previous meta-analyses identified lower concordance in clinical samples, our findings suggest women with major depression and non-autonomous attachment have a greater concordance with insecure attachment on the Strange Situation Procedure. These findings can guide future research and suggest a focus on depression in pregnancy may be important for subsequent infant attachment.

Momentary sexual enjoyment: The dyadic roles of relationship satisfaction and contraception among mixed-gender dating couples

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 932-941
Author(s):  
Shari M. Blumenstock ◽  
Lauren M. Papp
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Romantic Relationships ◽  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Sexual Experiences ◽  
Relationship Length ◽  
Contraception Use ◽  
Dating Couples ◽  
Sexual Enjoyment ◽  
Mixed Gender

Enjoyable sexual experiences with a romantic partner are a vital element of healthy lives and happy relationships, yet positive experiences of sex, and associated interpersonal and contraceptive factors, have not been extensively studied at the momentary level. In particular, little is known about how relationship quality and contraception use simultaneously relate to both women’s and men’s momentary sexual experiences within young adult romantic relationships. Using electronic diary reports collected three times per day for 10 days ( n = 293 reports of sexual activity), this study assessed own and partner relationship satisfaction and contraception (hormonal and condom) use as predictors of momentary sexual enjoyment in 43 mixed-gender young adult dating couples. Dyadic multilevel model results indicated that women’s relationship satisfaction positively predicted sexual enjoyment for both women and men, whereas men’s relationship satisfaction was not associated with own or partner’s sexual enjoyment. Women’s hormonal contraception use was associated with lower momentary sexual enjoyment for women and their male partners. Condom use was infrequent and not associated with sexual enjoyment, contrary to our (and many young adults') expectations. All analyses controlled for relationship length and sexual frequency. Findings underscore the simultaneous importance of hormonal and relational factors in sexual outcomes within young adult romantic relationships, as well as the complex and interdependent nature of partnered sexual experiences.

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