-
Clinical Psychology Review Feb 2022Bowen Family Systems Theory's central construct, differentiation of self (DoS), is one of the most recognized constructs to systemic researchers and psychology... (Review)
Review
Bowen Family Systems Theory's central construct, differentiation of self (DoS), is one of the most recognized constructs to systemic researchers and psychology professionals. The present study reviewed the available evidence on DoS from the inception of the construct until July 31, 2020. A scoping review was conducted and a total of 295 primary studies were eligible for inclusion. Literature was categorized according to the hypotheses postulated by Bowen regarding: the associations between DoS and psychological and health outcomes and how DoS stability and similarity in partner levels operate within family systems. Descriptive data regarding studies on the measurement of DoS and in the area of psychotherapy were also compiled. Results revealed that there is ample support for DoS as a predictor of psychological health and marital quality, and that there are positive associations between DoS and better physical health and intergenerational relationships. Results of this review show that there continue to be underexplored hypotheses and a paucity of longitudinal or causal research designs to test the stability of DoS, the intergenerational transmission of DoS, and the efficacy of clinical interventions in modifying DoS to promote optimal well-being. Recommendations and next steps for researchers and practitioners are outlined.
Topics: Humans; Psychotherapy; Systems Theory
PubMed: 34823190
DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102101 -
Psychological Medicine Apr 2023Depression during pregnancy and after the birth of a child is highly prevalent and an important public health problem. Psychological interventions are the first-line... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Depression during pregnancy and after the birth of a child is highly prevalent and an important public health problem. Psychological interventions are the first-line treatment and, although a considerable number of randomized trials have been conducted, no recent comprehensive meta-analysis has evaluated treatment effects.
METHODS
We used an existing database of randomized controlled trials of psychotherapies for adult depression and included studies aimed at perinatal depression. Random effects models were used in all analyses. We examined the effects of the interventions in the short and long term, and also examined secondary outcomes.
RESULTS
Forty-three studies with 49 comparisons and 6270 participants between an intervention and control group were included. The overall effect size was = 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45~0.89; numbers needed-to-be-treated = 4.39] with high heterogeneity ( = 80%; 95% CI 75~85). This effect size remained largely unchanged and significant in a series of sensitivity analyses, although some publication bias was found. The effects remained significant at 6-12 months follow-up. Significant effects were also found for social support, anxiety, functional limitations, parental stress and marital stress, although the number of studies for each outcome was low. All results should be considered with caution because of the high levels of heterogeneity in most analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
Psychological interventions are probably effective in the treatment of perinatal depression, with effects that last at least up to 6-12 months and probably also have effects on social support, anxiety, functional impairment, parental stress, and marital stress.
Topics: Adult; Child; Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Depression; Psychotherapy; Depressive Disorder; Anxiety; Anxiety Disorders
PubMed: 37310303
DOI: 10.1017/S0033291721004529 -
Cancer Epidemiology Dec 2023Lung cancer is associated with high mortality, and significant health burden. Marital status has been associated with lung cancer survival. This systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Lung cancer is associated with high mortality, and significant health burden. Marital status has been associated with lung cancer survival. This systematic review and meta-analysis set out to investigate the association between marital status and treatment receipt in lung cancer. The search was conducted across three databases: Medline (OVID), Embase and CINAHL, from inception to June 2022. Retrospective or prospective observational studies that quantified treatment receipt by marital status were eligible for inclusion. Study quality was assessed via a modified checklist for retrospective databased-based studies. Meta-analysis using a random effects model was undertaken by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and any treatment relative to married or not married. Pooled unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for each type of treatment. 837 papers were screened and 18 met the inclusion criteria with eight being eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Studies were excluded from meta-analysis due to overlap in the data reported in papers; the mean quality score of the 18 included papers was 12/17. Being married was associated with increased odds of overall treatment OR 1.43 (95 % CI 1.14-1.79; I = 82 %; Tau = 0.07; six studies) and also increased receipt of: chemotherapy 1.40 (95 % CI 1.35-1.44; I2 = 82 %; Tau = 0.00); radiotherapy 1.29 (95 % CI 0.96-1.75; I = 100 %; Tau= 0.09; four studies) and surgery (95 % CI 1.31-1.52; I = 86 %; Tau = 0.00; five studies). The results indicate that those who are married are more likely to receive treatment for lung cancer compared to those who are not married. This requires further investigation to better understand the explanations behind this finding and how we can work to combat this inequality.
Topics: Humans; Retrospective Studies; Lung Neoplasms; Marital Status; Cognition; Marriage; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 37992417
DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2023.102494 -
Family Process Dec 2022This paper provides a critical analysis and synthesis of the current status and emerging developments in contemporary couple therapy. Its narrative centers on the... (Review)
Review
This paper provides a critical analysis and synthesis of the current status and emerging developments in contemporary couple therapy. Its narrative centers on the evolution of couple therapy into a prominent intervention modality and coherent body of practice. The review begins with the consideration of the field's strong empirical underpinnings derived from research on couple therapy and basic relational science. Couple therapy comprises the widely accepted method for reducing relationship distress and enhancing relationship quality. Moreover, both as a stand-alone intervention and in conjunction with other treatment formats, couple-based interventions have garnered considerable empirical support for their effectiveness in addressing a broad spectrum of specific relational dysfunctions as well as individual emotional and physical health problems. We highlight the convergence of methods through common factors, shared strategies, and remarkably similar arrangements across approaches. Our review also points to key differences among approaches, the importance of recognizing respective strengths and limitations linked to these differences, and building on differences across models when selecting and tailoring interventions for a given couple. The discussion concludes with a consideration of recent trends in the field including the impact of telehealth and related digital technologies, the expansion of specific treatments for specific problems and diverse populations, the interface of couple therapy with relationship education, and enduring challenges as well as new opportunities addressing broader systemic and global dynamics.
Topics: Humans; Couples Therapy
PubMed: 36175119
DOI: 10.1111/famp.12824 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2022Marital status mediates an association between physical activity (PA) and TV time with health outcomes. However, population-based studies have revealed that the health...
Marital status mediates an association between physical activity (PA) and TV time with health outcomes. However, population-based studies have revealed that the health effect of marriage or divorce is age-dependent and differs between women and men. The study aimed to identify the age and sex-related associations between marital status with PA and TV time. We used data from Vigitel, an annual telephone survey started in 2006 in Brazil. We applied a complex sample logistic regression model to estimate the odds for PA and TV time comparing marital statuses according to age and sex subgroups, independent of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, self-assessed poor health, and smoking. Our sample included 561,837 individuals from 18 to 99 years, with a TV time > 3 h/day (prevalence = 25.2%) and PA > 150 min/week (prevalence = 35%). Later, we divided our sample in seven age groups by marital status and sex. Compared to single individuals, married men and women were less likely to watch TV more than 3 h/day in participants >30 years old. When compared to single, married participants were less likely to do more than 150 min of PA/week at younger age groups. Married women older than 40 years were more likely to do more than 150 min of PA/week than the single ones, while there were no differences among married men by age group. In conclusion, our study suggests that the investments in public policies to encourage the practice of PA and reduction of TV time could be based on the marital status, sex, and age, prioritizing less active groups.
Topics: Adult; Divorce; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Marital Status; Marriage; Obesity
PubMed: 35010761
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010502 -
Family Process Jun 2022This article describes the treatment framework and core therapeutic principles of the integrative brief systemic intervention (IBSI), a manualized six-session...
This article describes the treatment framework and core therapeutic principles of the integrative brief systemic intervention (IBSI), a manualized six-session intervention intended for parents seeking couple therapy. IBSI aims to work on the couple's presenting problem, considering its specific impact in the marital and coparenting domains. The basic premise of IBSI is to consider that, when working with couples who have children, therapeutic work on their coparenting alliance may be used as a lever, as both parents may be particularly motivated to improve their relationship for their children's benefit. Increasing the coparenting alliance may then facilitate work on deeper conflicts within the marital relationship. The core therapeutic principles of IBSI are: (1) joining with the couple as romantic partners and a coparenting team from the start of the therapeutic process; (2) supporting the parents in increasing their awareness regarding their children's behavior and emotional experiences when facing their parents' conflicts; and (3) working on the spill- and cross-over effects between marital and coparenting relationships (i.e., exploring how conflict or positivity spills over from one relationship to the other or crosses over from one partner to the other). Therapeutic work following these main therapeutic principles is expected to improve the quality of both relationships. A clinical case is provided to illustrate the core therapeutic principles of IBSI.
Topics: Child; Couples Therapy; Emotions; Humans; Marriage; Parenting; Parents
PubMed: 35394059
DOI: 10.1111/famp.12773 -
Cancer Medicine Jan 2023In recent years, authors have repeatedly reported on the significance of social support in cancer survival. Although overall the studies appear to be convincing, little... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
In recent years, authors have repeatedly reported on the significance of social support in cancer survival. Although overall the studies appear to be convincing, little is known about which types of social support promote better survival rates, and which subgroups of cancer patients are more susceptible to the benefits of it. The aim of this study was to identify, organize, and examine studies reporting on the significance of social support in cancer survival.
METHODS
The PubMed, CINAHL and EBSCO databases were searched using the keywords social support/marital status, cancer, and survival/mortality. Where possible we used a meta-analytical approach, specifically a random effect model, in order to combine the results of the hazard ratios in studies from which this information could be obtained. When interpreting clinical relevance, we used the number needed to treat (NNT).
RESULTS
Better survival was observed in married patients when compared to unmarried (single, never-married, divorced/separated, and widowed) in overall and cancer-specific survival. Gender group differences showed that the association was statistically significant only in cancer-specific survival when comparing divorced/separated male and female cancer patients (p < 0.001), thus confirming results from the previous meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
Being unmarried is associated with significantly worse overall and cancer-specific survival. The most vulnerable group found in our study were divorced/separated men. The results of this review can motivate physicians, oncologists, and other healthcare professionals to be aware of the importance of patients' social support, especially in the identified sub-group.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Marital Status; Neoplasms; Divorce; Single Person; Proportional Hazards Models
PubMed: 35789072
DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5003 -
International Ophthalmology Dec 2022Marital status influences the presentation and outcome of various cancers. We explored the relationship between marital status and survival of uveal melanoma (UM) and...
BACKGROUND
Marital status influences the presentation and outcome of various cancers. We explored the relationship between marital status and survival of uveal melanoma (UM) and factors influencing this relationship.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients diagnosed with UM and registered in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program between 1973 and 2017. Cox regression model was conducted to calculate the hazard ratio of overall and cancer-specific survival rate and delineate the effect of each confounder.
RESULTS
The study involved 10,557 patients with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. Most of the diagnosed patients were aged between 40 and 79 years (81%). Married patients (62%) represented the majority, followed by singles (12%), widowed (11%), and then divorced patients (7%). Single patients were the youngest group (mean age of 59.3 years) while widowed patients were the oldest (mean age of 75.8 years). In the Cox regression model for overall survival, married and single patients exhibited the best overall survival (no significant difference in between them), both surpassing divorced and widowed patients. Married patients were at a significantly lower risk to die from UM than divorced patients. Female patients and younger age groups showed the best overall and cancer-specific survival.
CONCLUSION
Maintained marriages improved the survival of UM patients. Widowed and divorced patients should be included in specially designed support programs during their cancer management.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Aged; SEER Program; Retrospective Studies; Marital Status; Melanoma
PubMed: 35821361
DOI: 10.1007/s10792-022-02406-2 -
The effectiveness of reality therapy on sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of infertile women.Journal of Education and Health... 2022Infertility is one of the most important challenges in the modern life that can damage the sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of couples. The present study was...
BACKGROUND
Infertility is one of the most important challenges in the modern life that can damage the sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of couples. The present study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of reality therapy on sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of infertile women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design and follow-up. The statistical population was infertile women who were referred to Imam Sajjad Shahriyar Hospital in 2019-2020. 15 infertile women selected by purposive sampling and underwent reality therapy (8 sessions of 90 min). Data were collected using index sexual satisfaction (ISS) and marital intimacy questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-24 software, analysis of variance with repeated measures and Bonferroni test.
RESULTS
The results of analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference between the scores of sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy in posttest and follow-up stages compared to pretest ( < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results, reality therapy can be used as an effective intervention to improvement sexual satisfaction and marital intimacy of infertile women.
PubMed: 36325233
DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1106_21 -
PloS One 2023The transition of a pregnant woman's role often causes emotional changes that have an impact on marital satisfaction. We develop MIESRA mHealth and evaluate its impact...
The transition of a pregnant woman's role often causes emotional changes that have an impact on marital satisfaction. We develop MIESRA mHealth and evaluate its impact on satisfaction of husband-wife relationship during pregnancy. A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 82 couples of pregnant women and divided into control, single, and paired group. We implemented MIESRA mHealth for four weeks. In the couple group, the wife did mindfulness based on the information in the MIESRA mHealth together with her husband. In a single group, the wife sees the video as an initial guide to doing mindfulness. In the control group, respondents received programme interventions from hospitals which included education and consultation with obstetricians. Husband-wife relationship is evaluated using Compatibility of Husband-and-Wife Relationships / Kesesuaian Hubungan Suami Istri (KHSI) questionnaire and the generalised estimating equations (GEE) was used to analyse the data. The women's KHSI scores in the couple and single intervention groups (β = -7.46, p = 0.002; β = -9.11, p = 0.001) were better than the control group. The husbands' KHSI scores in the paired and individual intervention groups (β = -7.04, p<0.001; β = -3.74, p = 0.024) were better than the control group. Nursing interventions to build emotional bonds between parents and foetuses based on mHealth can be a promising intervention for marital harmony during the perinatal period. MIESRA m-Health is a promising intervention on marital satisfaction during pregnancy and can be implemented as a part of the antenatal care programme to increase marital satisfaction.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Marriage; Spouses; Behavior Therapy; Control Groups; Educational Status
PubMed: 37616290
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289061