Partners' Experiences of Chronic Pain: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

This systematic review of qualitative studies synthesised evidence on the experience chronic pain from the perspective of romantic partners. Medline via Ovid, Embase via Ovid, CINAHL via EBSCO, APA PsycInfo via Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched. Studies exploring the impact of chronic pain from partners' perspectives using qualitative data collection methods were eligible for inclusion. Thematic synthesis was conducted, and confidence in the review findings was assessed using GRADE CERQual criteria. A total of 198 participants were represented from 15 primary studies. Four interconnected analytical themes were developed: 'life is different', 'internal conflict between two worlds', 'togetherness vs separateness', and 'coping in the longer term'. Out of 27 review findings, 9 were assessed as high confidence, 12 as moderate confidence, 4 as low confidence, and 2 as very low confidence. Socially isolated partners, those in strained relationships, and partners who continually sacrificed their own needs were more likely to experience distressing emotions. Greater recognition of partners' needs is needed within pain management services.

Lifestyle changes after cancer treatment in patients and their partners: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Oncologists nowadays promote healthy lifestyle choices more often, focusing on diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and sleep, but the question is whether this is enough to establish actual change. As patients will have to achieve a healthy lifestyle at home in daily life, it is important to understand barriers and facilitators for lifestyle change for both patients and their partners.

METHODS

A qualitative interview study was done among patients who received chemotherapy for testicular (n = 10) or breast cancer (n = 7) and their partners (n = 17). The interview focused on how much they remembered the lifestyle advice given in hospital, whether and what they had adapted since diagnosis, and what they deemed as facilitators and barriers in maintaining lifestyle change.

RESULTS

Results showed that many patients and partners recalled that some advice was given in hospital but experienced this as too general and only at the start of treatment. Social contacts and the entire cancer experience helped facilitate change but were also seen as barriers. Other barriers were not considering healthy behaviors a priority or experiencing unhealthy choices as something nice after a trying time.

CONCLUSIONS

Oncologists and hospitals that provide lifestyle advice should provide cancer- and person-specific lifestyle advice, should offer this advice repeatedly into survivorship, and include the partner, as they are dedicated to improving lifestyle as well.

IMPLICATION FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Staying healthy after cancer is important to both patients and their partners, and both experience their own facilitators and barriers to achieving this. Seeing a healthy lifestyle as a joint goal might facilitate change.

Adaptation and psychometric assessment of the instrument "Partners of Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale" in a Brazilian population

Objectives

To adapt the instrument "Partners of Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Distress Scale" (Partner-DDS) into Brazilian culture, and to evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the adapted version.

Methods

All the cultural adaptation steps of the measure's instruments were followed. The psychometric properties such as reliability (stability by test-retest; internal consistency), and convergent construct validity were performed.

Results

Of all 72 partners, 69.4% were male, mean age: 42.69 ± 14.09 years, mean of marriage duration: 14.74 ± 12.41 years, and mean schooling: 11.81 ± 3.91 years.The internal consistency of the instrument (Cronbach Alpha) was 0.90. The intra-class coefficient (stability) was 0.80 (0.72-0.84). The Spearman coefficient (convergent construct validity) between the Partner-DDS scale and the Anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A) was 0.4273 (p < 0.0002).

Conclusions

The steps of the instruments' cultural adaptation were appropriately performed. The Brazilian version of the Partner- DDS scale demonstrates reliable psychometric properties for being used in POPWT1D distress evaluation in Brazil.

Innovation

The cultural adaptation of Partner-DDS scale into Brazilian Portuguese is a helpful innovation to assess the emotional burden in POPWT1D. This tool could be used to provide education and psychological support for this population.

Validating the Sociocultural Influences on Fear of Fat Scale (SI-FAT) on a racially and ethnically diverse sample of college women

The fear of fat, or fear of gaining weight, is conceptually related to both weight stigma and eating disorders. Since sociocultural pressures related to the thin ideal are important to examine within sociocultural models of body image, the Sociocultural Influences on Fear of Fat (SI-FAT) was created and validated on a sample of predominantly White college women. The purpose of this study was to examine the factor structure of the SI-FAT in a sample of racially and ethnically diverse college women, given potential differences in experiences of fear of fat and the need to measure sociocultural pressures related to fear of fat in multiple groups. A sample of college women (72.8% Hispanic/Latina, 14.85% Black, and 12.35% White) completed the SI-FAT as well as measures of weight stigma and body image. Results suggested that the factor structure of the SI-FAT were consistent across racial and ethnic groups. These findings indicate that the SI-FAT is appropriate for use among racially and ethnically diverse samples of young women. Directions for future research, including examining differences between sociocultural pressures related to weight gain and self-reported fear of fat are discussed.

Perspectives of women and partners from migrant and refugee backgrounds accessing the Cross Cultural Worker Service in maternity and early childhood services-a survey study

BACKGROUND

Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds living in high-income countries have increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes and report lower satisfaction with perinatal healthcare. In Sydney, Australia, a new service known as the Cross Cultural Workers (CCWs) in Maternity and Child and Family Health Service (the CCW Service) was implemented to support such women and families from pregnancy to the early parenting period. This study aimed to ascertain the experiences of women and their partners engaging with the CCW Service.

METHODS

A survey study was undertaken. Women accessing the CCW Service were recruited during pregnancy and were asked to complete surveys at three time points: in the third trimester of pregnancy, at 6 and 12 months postpartum. Their partners were invited to complete a survey at 6 months postpartum. Survey data were analysed to compare satisfaction, usefulness, number of CCW interactions, cultural sensitivity, and service improvement recommendations across all three survey timepoints.

RESULTS

A total of 231 surveys were received: 113 during pregnancy, 50 at 6-months postpartum, 44 at 12-months postpartum, and 24 partner surveys. Participants in all surveys reported the CCW Service to be useful (84-94%), stating that it increased their understanding of pregnancy, birth and parenting (95-100%), and that they would recommend the CCW Service (92-98%). Participants experienced a high level of satisfaction (88-95%) irrespective of the number of CCW interactions (p = 0.42). Thoughts on becoming a mother or parent were more positive after meeting the CCW than before for both women (p = 0.01) and partners (p = 0.12). Suggestions for CCW Service improvement were to 1) increase the provision of information, specifically financial entitlements, postnatal depression, and support services, 2) increase involvement of partners in care, 3) increase the CCW workforce/or number of CCWs.

CONCLUSION

The CCW Service was associated with positive experiences and high rates of satisfaction at all timepoints. This service has the potential to inform the implementation of similar models of care that improve accessibility, the perinatal experience, and respond to the unique needs of women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Perceptions and attitudes toward partners support for cervical cancer screening among married men in Ghana

OBJECTIVES

The majority of literature on cervical cancer (CC) and cervical cancer screening (CCS) focused on women all over the world. However, research has indicated that men's involvement in CCS can lead to improved health outcomes for women. Despite this, there is limited information available in the literature regarding men's attitudes toward CCS. This highlights the need for further study on the subject to increase understanding and improve outcomes. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the perceptions and attitudes toward partners' support for CCS among married men from the Adentan Municipality.

STUDY DESIGN

An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach was used in the study to explore the perceptions of married men about male involvement in CCS.

METHODS

Thirty-four married men were purposively selected to be part of the interviews. A semistructured interview guide was used to collect data, which were recorded. The tape-recorded data were reproduced verbatim, and content analysis was carried out to generate the themes and subthemes.

RESULTS

Three themes and nine subthemes were constructed from the data analysis. The study revealed that the perceptions of males about cervical cancer had a positive or a negative influence on women's behaviors toward CCS. It was interesting that some men constantly reminded their wives to participate in CCS. However, some barriers to men's support included fear of trauma to the wife's vagina during screening and concerns about exposure to the wife's nakedness.

CONCLUSION

It was therefore recommended that healthcare facilities should roll out sustainable programs and policies to involve men in CC prevention. In addition, health workers should devise innovative ways to make male involvement in CCS more attractive to men.

Partners in Health: Investigating Social Genetic Effects Among Married and Cohabiting Couples

Partners resemble each other in health behaviors and outcomes such as alcohol use, smoking, physical activity, and obesity. While this is consistent with social contagion theory suggesting partner influence, it is notoriously difficult to establish causality because of assortative mating and contextual confounding. We offer a novel approach to studying social contagion in health in long-term partnerships by combining genetic data of both partners in married/cohabiting couples with longitudinal data on their health behaviors and outcomes. We examine the influence of the partner's genetic predisposition for three health outcomes and behaviors (BMI, smoking, and drinking) among married/cohabiting couples. We use longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing with data on health outcomes and genotypes for both partners. Results show that changes over time in BMI, smoking, and drinking depend on the partner's genetic predispositions to these traits. These findings underline the importance of people's social surroundings for their health and highlight the potential of targeting health interventions at couples.

Shared decision-making during prostate cancer consultations: Implications of clinician misalignment with patient and partner preferences

Concepts of patient-centredness and shared decision-making inform expectations that clinicians should display sensitivity to patients' expressed preferences. This study examines the organisation of treatment-related preferences expressed by patients and their partners during clinical consultations for people with localised prostate cancer. A conversation analysis of twenty-eight diagnosis and treatment consultations was conducted with data recorded from four clinical sites across England. When clinicians disaligned from expressions of preference such as directing talk away from expressions, or moving to redress perceived misunderstandings, it caused discordance in the unfolding interaction. This led to couples silencing themselves. Two deviant cases were identified that did not feature the misalignment found in all other collected cases. In these two cases, the interaction remained collaborative. These findings highlight the immediate consequences of expressions of preference being resisted, rejected, and dismissed in a context where clinicians are expected to explore expressed preferences in service of SDM. The deviant case analysis offers an alternative practice to the pattern observed across the collection, offering a comparison between misaligned sequences, and cases where social solidarity was maintained. By acknowledging couple's expressions as valid contributions, rather than acting to inform or correct them, clinicians can create opportunity spaces for discussion around treatment preferences.

HIV Related Behaviors Among Male Partners of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Rural South Africa

Improving men's engagement in HIV prevention is not only essential for reducing their own HIV risk but also the risk of transmitting HIV to their female partners. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a population-based sample of men (age 18-30) who reported being a partner of an adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa (N = 2827). We used logit-binomial regression models to examine associations among men's partnership characteristics, HIV risk perceptions, and HIV-related behaviors and examine differences by male partner age (younger men (18-24) vs. older men (25-30)) and age difference between partners (age-concordant (< 5 years) vs. age-disparate (≥ 5 years)). Most men reported inconsistent condom use (85%) and nearly half reported engaging in transactional sex (48%). Older men were just as likely as younger men, and men with age-disparate and age-concordant partners, to inconsistently use condoms, engage in transactional sex, and perpetrate intimate partner violence. Most men also reported a very high interest in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (77%) and half reported having an HIV test in the past year (50%). There were no differences by male partner age or age difference between partners in PrEP interest but older men and men in age-discordant relationships were more likely than younger men and men in age-concordant relationships to have an HIV test in the past year. Male partners of AGYW in South Africa are engaging in HIV-related behaviors and need HIV prevention interventions to reduce risk for themselves and their female partners.

Speaking out of turn: Implications of partner contributions for patient autonomy during prostate cancer consultations

OBJECTIVE

This research examines how partners contribute to clinical consultations for people with prostate cancer. It highlights a social practice where a partner responds to talk that addresses a patient.

METHODS

A conversation analysis of twenty-eight prostate cancer treatment and diagnostic consultations was carried out using data collected from four clinical sites across England.

RESULTS

The analysis demonstrated that this practice was prosocial and patient enabling. Partners oriented to the patient's primary rights to take their turn as the selected next speaker, only initiating after a substantial delay from the clinician's turn-at-talk. Consequently, the partner consistently opened an opportunity space that the patient took to elaborate upon, or collaborate with the partners' turn as they regularly took up a unified stance resisting the individualised configuration of the encounter.

CONCLUSION

This research highlights the social and clinical utility of partners during these consultations, as they served as important, yet underutilised interactional and informational resources for clinicians and patients.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

This research indicates a need to reconsider the configuration of these consultations and sanction partners as formal participants. Absent of this, partners will continue to have to work to insert their contributions into consultations while resisting the dyadic structure of these interactions.

Partner Alliance to Enhance Efficacy and Adherence of CBT-I

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is now widely recognized as the first-line management strategy for insomnia, both for insomnia in its "pure" form, and when comorbid with a physical or psychological illness. However, there is a definite need to develop and test both alternative and adjunct interventions to CBT-I, before implementing them into routine practice. The aim of this article is to provide a narrative review of the literature with regard to what is known about the influence of partners on sleep, insomnia, and its management.

Family treatment for postpartum depression: acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary clinical outcomes

The level of support from family members-and degree of family dysfunction-can shape the onset and course of maternal postpartum depression (PPD). In spite of this, family members are typically not included in treatments for PPD. Developing and disseminating intervention approaches that involve partners or other family members may lead to more effective treatment for perinatal women and potentially promote improved family functioning and wellbeing of multiple members of the family. To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a family-based treatment for PPD, we conducted an open pilot trial with 16 postpartum mother-father couples (N = 32 participants) and measured session attendance, patient satisfaction, and changes in key symptoms and functional outcomes. At the time of enrollment, mothers were 1-7 months postpartum, met criteria for major depressive disorder, and had moderate-severe symptoms of depression. Treatment involved 10-12 sessions attended by the mother along with an identified family member (all fathers) at each session. Findings provide strong support for the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention: session attendance rates were high, and participants evaluated the treatment as highly acceptable. Improvements in depression were observed among both mothers and fathers, and family functioning improved by the endpoint across several domains. Symptomatic and functional gains were sustained at follow-up. The current findings provide support for a larger randomized trial of family-based treatment for PPD.

Experiences of Mental Health Care Among Women Treated for Postpartum Psychosis in England: A Qualitative Study

Postpartum psychosis has been found to affect 0.89-2.6 per 1000 women. Onset is typically rapid and severe. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are crucial for a good prognosis. Our aim in this study was to understand women's experiences of mental health care and services for psychosis in the postnatal period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women who reported being treated for postpartum psychosis. Findings were analysed thematically. Women reported that healthcare professionals across maternity and mental health services often lacked awareness and knowledge of postpartum psychosis and did not always keep them or their partners/families informed, supported, and involved. Women wanted better collaboration between and within services, and more efficient, appropriate, and timely care. They valued inpatient services that could meet their needs, favouring Mother and Baby Units over general psychiatric wards. Early Intervention in Psychosis services and specialist perinatal community mental health teams were also well liked.

Postpartum Psychosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Postpartum psychosis is a psychiatric emergency that can affect the health and life of mothers, infants, and families. Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is distinct from non-postpartum psychosis in many ways, and it is crucial to study and understand PPP to identify, treat, and possibly prevent this condition. We therefore sought to review the latest research findings about PPP with the intention of updating readers about the latest evidence base.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple physiologic pathways have been implicated in the development of PPP, and further understanding these pathways may allow for early detection and treatment. Risk assessment and treatment should include consideration of the woman patient but also the mother-infant dyad and the larger family. It is our hope that this review of research updates in postpartum psychosis may inform clinical practice and promote specialized, evidence-based diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment.

Mindfulness-based childbirth and parenting for pregnant women with high fear of childbirth and their partners: outcomes of a randomized controlled trial assessing short- and longer-term effects on psychological well-being, birth and pregnancy experience

OBJECTIVES

Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) reduces mothers' anticipated fear of childbirth (FOC), nonurgent obstetric interventions during childbirth and may improve childbirth outcomes in women with high FOC (Veringa-Skiba et al, 2022). The aim of this study was to examine the short- and longer-term outcomes of MBCP on psychological well-being, pregnancy and birth experience, as compared to enhanced care-as-usual (ECAU), in pregnant women with high FOC and their partners.

DESIGN

Participants were randomly assigned to MBCP or ECAU and completed questionnaires preintervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), two to four weeks after childbirth (T3) and 16-20 weeks after childbirth (T4). Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were conducted.

SETTING

The courses were provided by trained midwives.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants included 141 pregnant women and 120 partners.

INTERVENTION

MBCP comprised a nine-weekly three-hour session mindfulness group course for pregnant couples; ECAU consisted of two 90-minute individual couple consultation sessions.

MEASUREMENTS

Measures of psychological well-being included measures like stress, depression, anxiety and fatigue. Measures of pregnancy and birth experience concerned experiencing uplifts during pregnancy, experienced fear of childbirth, labour pain and satisfaction with childbirth.

FINDINGS

No differences between MBCP and ECAU in the total group of birthing women were found. However, women with (at least an onset of) labour that participated in MBCP reported a better birth experience compared to ECAU at T3. Concerning the total partner group only one difference between MBCP and ECAU was found at T4; MBCP partners reported an increase in fatigue. However, in the partner risk group (i.e., partners with lower psychological well-being before intervention) partners experienced better psychological well-being at T2 and T3 after MBCP than ECAU.

KEY CONCLUSIONS

MBCP and ECAU demonstrate similar effects on psychological well-being, birth and pregnancy experience. However, MBCP appears superior to ECAU for labouring women in having a better childbirth experience and for partners at risk for psychological complaints in increasing their psychological well-being.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

MBCP only positively affects the childbirth experience of those who experience (onset of) natural birth. It might be advisable to include partners at risk for psychological complaints in the MBCP.

Unmet Sexual Health Needs of Patients and Female Partners Following Diagnosis and Treatment for Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) and its treatment can have significant and pervasive sexual side effects for patients and their partners; however, partner needs are not well understood, and most resources do not incorporate partner priorities.

AIM

Our objective was to perform a qualitative study to identify unmet sexual needs of patients and female partners after PCa diagnosis.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study of posts to the Inspire Us TOO Prostate Cancer Online Support and Discussion Community. Overall, 6,193 posts were identified in the Sexual Health & Intimacy forum of the community, of which 661 posts were from female authors. A random sample of 10% (n = 66) of posts from female partners and an equal number of randomly selected posts from male patients were analyzed.

OUTCOMES

We assessed sexual health themes among patients and female partners.

RESULTS

Multiple themes emerged that were unique to female partners of PCa survivors. These included expanding the sexual repertoire, feeling invisible, contextualizing sexual intimacy within the broader picture of survival, and addressing relationship concerns. Patients and their partners also shared common sexual health themes, including coming to terms with changes in sexual function and frustration with clinicians. Both patients and their partners use online health communities to get support and share their experiences with sexual recovery and use of sexual aids. Psychosocial treatments were infrequently mentioned, and may be particularly helpful to address partner concerns.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

A common concern for couples was not receiving sufficient information from healthcare providers regarding sexual side effects from PCa and its treatment.

STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

Strengths of the study include leveraging a unique data source to address an understudied topic of sexual health concerns among partners after PCa diagnosis. However, members of an online community may not be representative of all couples facing PCa. Also, this analysis is limited to female partners of patients with PCa, and further study is underway to examine the sexual health needs among gay and bisexual couples.

CONCLUSION

Both patients and female partners have many unmet sexual health needs during PCa survivorship, and designing interventions to incorporate partner perspectives may improve the management of sexual side effects of PCa for couples. Li R, Wittmann D, Nelson CJ, et al. Unmet Sexual Health Needs of Patients and Female Partners Following Diagnosis and Treatment for Prostate Cancer. J Sex Med 2022;19:1797-1803.

Prevalence and factors associated with non-adherence to therapy among partners of pregnant women with syphilis in a city of northeastern Brazil

BACKGROUND

One of the main difficulties faced in the prevention of the vertical transmission of syphilis is the inadequate treatment of pregnant women and their partners. The disease causes serious repercussions in infected newborns.

AIM

To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with the therapeutic adhesion among partners of pregnant women with syphilis in a county in Northeastern Brazil.

METHODS

This is a descriptive, analytic, quantitative, cross-sectional study that was carried out through interviews with 46 pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis between 2017 and 2018 as well as with their partners. The interviews aimed at collecting data regarding sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric variables and information about syphilis, and partners’ related variables.

RESULTS

Our results showed that 73.91% of the partners did not undergo appropriate treatments, and obtaining negative results in syphilis tests was the main reason for the absence of therapies. The following factors were significantly associated with the lack of treatment among partners: Being a partner that is not the current mate of the pregnant woman, having a level of schooling inferior to 8 years [odds ratio (OR) = 10.28], and the pregnant woman undergoing up to two syphilis tests during the prenatal care (OR = 8.6). The study found a higher odds of absent treatment among partners if the pregnant woman is not white (OR = 13.88) or if the partner has less than 8 years of schooling (OR = 21.00) or has a monthly income of less than half the minimum wage (OR = 13.93).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study show a high prevalence of partners that are not adequately treated for syphilis, a phenomenon that is strongly associated with socioeconomic factors.

Intra- and interpersonal effects of coping style and self-efficacy on anxiety, depression and life satisfaction in patient-partner couples after stroke

Many stroke patients and partners suffer from anxiety, depression, and low life satisfaction. Psychological factors such as coping style and self-efficacy can be protective factors within individuals. The close relationship between stroke patients and partners suggests that there may be interdependence in psychological functioning. The aim of this study was to examine intra- and interpersonal effects of coping style and self-efficacy on anxiety, depression, and life satisfaction in patient-partners couples. In this prospective cohort study, pro-active coping (UPCC), general self-efficacy (GSES), anxiety (HADS-A), depression (HADS-D), and life satisfaction (1-6 scale) were assessed in 215 couples at 2 and 12 months post-stroke. Effects within couples were assessed using structural equation modelling. Several intra- and interpersonal effects of coping style and self-efficacy at 2 months post-stroke were related to emotional health at 12 months post-stroke. Most effects were intrapersonal effects. The interpersonal effects were small but showed that pro-active coping by the patient was associated with lower anxiety of the partner. Higher self-efficacy of the partner was associated with lower depression scores and higher life satisfaction of the patient. This study underscores the importance of a dyadic approach to post-stroke functioning. It supports a family-based approach for treating post-stroke emotional problems.

Individual and Relationship-Level Correlates of Transactional Sex Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Malawi: A Multilevel Analysis

Transactional sex increases HIV risk among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Understanding the individual and dyadic nature of transactional sex may provide evidence for risk reduction interventions. Multilevel logistic regression was used to cross-sectionally examine correlates of transactional sex among AGYW in Lilongwe, Malawi. Participants (N = 920) reported 1227 relationships. Individual-level associations were found between being divorced/widowed (AOR 5.07, 95% CI 1.93, 13.25), married (AOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09, 0.72), or unstably housed (AOR 7.11, 95% CI 2.74, 18.47) and transactional sex. At the relationship-level, transactional sex occurred in relationships with: non-primary primary partners (AOR 4.06, 95% CI 2.37, 6.94), perceived partner concurrency (AOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.11, 3.08), and feared violence with couples HIV testing (AOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.26, 6.29), and less likely to occur in relationships with children (AOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06, 0.38). Multiple co-occurring social and structural vulnerabilities increase transactional sex engagement warranting the need for social protection and gender transformative approaches.

Assessment of men involvement in family planning services use and associated factors in rural Ghana

Background

In low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) less attention is paid to men’s involvement in Family Planning (FP) programs where public health officials have advocated the involvement of men as a strategy for addressing the dismal performance of FP programs. The study assessed the involvement of men in FP use and the factors which promote or hinder the uptake of FP services among partners in a rural setting of northern Ghana.

Methods

A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to collect data from 200 respondents. Study respondents were selected through random cluster sampling.

Results

The findings showed that male partners’ knowledge (95.5%) and approval (72.8%) of FP services were high. About 48% of men were involved in FP service utilization. Having living children (aOR; 1.71(1.27, 2.15)) and being knowledgeable (aOR; 6.14(1.38, 10.90)) about FP were positively associated men’s involvement in FP service utilization. The findings also indicated that men had a higher propensity (X² = 4.5534, p = 0.033) of supporting a FP method use. Women who reported that their spouse supported FP method use were more likely to use a contraceptive method (X² = 9.5223, P = 0.002) if their spouse supported FP method use (X2 = 9.5223, P = 0.002) and if their partners had some education (X2 = 14.1133, P = 0.000). Reasons for low contraceptive use were health risks, side effects, and socio-cultural norms.

Conclusion

Family planning programs need to include men at all levels of health promotion and education of FP programs to help reduce misconceptions about contraceptive methods to increase acceptance and use among partners in rural settings of Ghana.

Evaluation of a prenatal screening decision aid: A mixed methods pilot study

BACKGROUND

We developed a decision aid (DA) to help pregnant women and their partners make informed decisions about prenatal screening for trisomy. We aimed to determine its usefulness for preparing for decision-making and its acceptability among end-users.

METHODS

In this mixed-methods pilot study, we recruited participants in three prenatal care settings in Quebec City. Eligible women were over 18 and more than 16 weeks pregnant or had given birth recently. We asked them about the usefulness of the DA using an interview grid based on the Technology Acceptance Model. We performed descriptive statistics and deductive analysis.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine dyads or individuals participated in the study. Mean usefulness score was 86.2 ± 13. Most participants found the amount of information in the DA just right (79.5%), balanced (89.7%), and very useful (61.5%). They were less satisfied with the presentation and the values worksheet and suggested different values clarification methods.

CONCLUSION

Rigorous pilot tests of DAs with patients are an important stage in their development before the more formal assessments that precede scaling up the DA in clinical practice.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The next version of the DA will integrate the suggestions of end-users for better decision-making processes about prenatal screening for trisomy.

Psychosocial issues and quality of life of parenting partners of young women with breast cancer

PURPOSE

Data are lacking about the association between quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial issues of partners of young women with breast cancer who co-parent dependent children.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of partners of women with breast cancer diagnosed at age ≤ 40. Among those partners reporting at least one dependent child under 18 years old at the time of diagnosis, we used multiple linear regression to examine associations between partner QOL and sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, and the patient's cancer stage and time since diagnosis.

RESULTS

Of the 219 parenting partners, all identified as male with a median age of 44 years; 96% (204/213) reported working full-time at the time of the survey. Fifty-four percent endorsed behaviors indicating maladaptive coping. In adjusted analyses, less than full-time employment (β =  - 8.76; 95% CI =  - 17.37, - 0.14), younger age (β =  - 0.35; 95% CI =  - 0.069, - 0.02), greater parenting concerns (β = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.36, 0.75), clinically relevant anxiety symptoms (β = 13.79; 95% CI = 10.24, 17.35), lower post-traumatic growth score (β =  - 0.33; 95% CI =  - 0.51, - 0.16), lower social support (β =  - 0.21; 95% CI =  - 0.29, - 0.12), lower sexual satisfaction (β =  - 0.40; 95% CI =  - 0.62, - 0.19), and breast cancer stages 3 (β = 7.61; 95% CI = 0.19, 15.02) and 4 (β = 12.63; 95% CI = 1.91, 23.34), when compared to stage 0, were associated with lower partner QOL.

CONCLUSION

Parenting partners of young women with breast cancer have substantial unmet psychosocial needs. Interventions are needed to enhance QOL and promote adaptive coping for this population.

God Attachment: Resource or Complication in Women's and Their Partners' Adjustment to the Threat of Breast Cancer

This study explored the role of adult attachment and God attachment in women's and their partners' adjustment to the threat of breast cancer. Women and their partners were assessed on their adult attachment, God attachment, empathic coping and couple adjustment prior to the women receiving their breast biopsy results. Results showed that a secure God attachment buffered the effects of an anxious adult attachment on the use of empathic coping for women and their partners. In addition, findings revealed that an avoidant God attachment potentially undermined the effects of a secure adult attachment on the use of empathic coping for women. For partners, an avoidant God attachment was directly related to a lesser use of empathic coping and a lower level of couple adjustment. In conclusion, findings revealed that God attachment can have implications for each partner's ability to remain empathic and satisfied in their couple relationship when faced with the threat of breast cancer.

Expanding the international conversation with fathers' mental health: toward an era of inclusion in perinatal research and practice

Paternal mental health is beginning to be recognized as an essential part of perinatal health. Historically, fathers were not recognized as being at risk for perinatal mental illnesses or relevant to maternal and infant health outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of paternal perinatal mental health, leading tools to assess paternal depression and anxiety, the impact of paternal mental health on mother and child health, and future directions for the field. An international team of paternal perinatal mental health experts summarized the key findings of the field. Fathers have an elevated risk of depression and anxiety disorders during the perinatal period that is associated with maternal depression and can impact their ability to support mothers. Paternal mental health is uniquely associated with child mental health and developmental outcomes starting from infancy and continuing through the child lifespan. Tailored screening approaches for paternal mental health are essential to support fathers early in the perinatal period, which would offset health risks for the family. Recommendations on paternal mental health are provided on four key areas to support father perinatal mental health: (1) intervention research, (2) clinical training, (3) national policy, and (4) the inclusion of fathers in the focus of the International Marcé Society for Perinatal Mental Health.

Distributive Justice in Family Relations

The aim of this paper is to highlight the important contribution of the lens of distributive justice to an understanding of family relations. Existent justice research in the family tends to focus on specific family relations: spouses, parents and young children, elderly parents and adult children, with most research addressing the division of labor between spouses. We seek to go beyond the specific family relations in order to highlight justice-related themes that are common across family relations. We elaborate upon three claims. First, we show that while the ideal of equality underpins justice in contemporary Western societies, actual distribution practices across family relations are characterized by persistent inequality. Second, although the gap between the ideal of equality and unequal distribution practices may create a sense of injustice among family members, we show why this is not necessarily the case. Third, we elaborate upon the positive and negative consequences that result from feelings of justice or injustice across family relations. We conclude by discussing the interweaving of love and justice in the family.

Lived experiences of the partners of COVID-19 positive childbearing women: A qualitative study

Problem

Several maternity units worldwide have rapidly put in place changes to maternity care pathways and restrictive preventive measures in the attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19, resulting in birth companions often not being allowed to be present at birth and throughout hospital admission.

Background

The WHO strongly recommends that the emotional, practical, advocacy and health benefits of having a chosen birth companion are respected and accommodated, including women with suspected, likely or confirmed COVID-19.

Aim

To explore the lived experiences of the partners of COVID-19 positive childbearing women who gave birth during the first pandemic wave (March and April 2020) in a Northern Italy maternity hospital.

Methods

A qualitative study using an interpretive phenomenological approach was undertaken. Audio-recorded semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 partners. Thematic data analysis was conducted using NVivo software. Ethical approval was obtained from the relevant Ethics Committee prior to commencing the study.

Findings

The findings include five main themes: (1) emotional impact of the pandemic; (2) partner and parent: a dual role; (3) not being present at birth: a ‘denied’ experience; (4) returning to ‘normality’; (5) feedback to ‘pandemic’ maternity services and policies.

Discussion and conclusion

Key elements of good practice to promote positive childbirth experiences in the context of a pandemic were identified: presence of a birth companion; COVID-19 screening tests for support persons; timely, proactive and comprehensive communication of information to support persons; staggered hospital visiting times; follow-up of socio-psychological wellbeing; antenatal and postnatal home visiting; family-centred policies and services.

Do the Consequences Experienced by the People in the Life of a Problem Gambler Differ Based on the Nature of Their Relationship with the Gambler?

Consequences experienced by the partners of individuals with a gambling disorder are well documented. However, little is known about the deleterious effects experienced by other people than partners of gamblers. A better understanding of these consequences could help improve clinical practices. The goal of this paper is to compare the consequences experienced by partners of gamblers with those experienced by their close family members (parents, adult children, siblings) by using the categorization method proposed by Langham et al. (BMC Public Health, 2016). To achieve this goal, 46 semi-structured interviews were conducted. Results indicate that the extent and intensity of the consequences experienced vary widely based on their level of emotional and financial involvement with the gambler. Considering the specific elements involved for each type of person in a gambler's life, future research should distinguish participants based on the nature of their relationship with the gambler.

The mediating role of partner communication on contraceptive use among adolescent girls and young women participating in a small-group intervention in Malawi: A longitudinal analysis

Though effective reproductive health interventions have been developed for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa, few have explored whether specific components of the interventions are responsible for observed changes in behaviour. Data for this longitudinal mediation analysis come from a quasi-experimental, sexual and reproductive health study conducted among AGYW (age 15-24) in Malawi. We assessed the extent to which the relationship between attending communication-specific small-group sessions and contraceptive use at one-year was mediated by contraceptive communication with partners at six months, using a bootstrapping procedure to estimate indirect effects. Of 358 participants, 44% attended communication-specific small-group sessions, 37% communicated with partners about contraception at six months, and 21% used non-barrier contraception at one-year. Participants who attended communication-specific small-group sessions had increased contraceptive communication with partners at six months (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.07-2.38) and increased non-barrier contraceptive use at one-year (aOR = 3.53, 95% CI: 1.86-6.69). The relationship between attending communication-specific small-group sessions and non-barrier contraceptive use at one-year was partially mediated by contraceptive communication with partners at six months (indirect effect = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.07). Our results suggest that contraceptive communication with partners is modifiable through interventions and important for AGYW non-barrier contraceptive uptake.

Receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experiences of women's partners and support persons

Background

In Australia, the provision of maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic was significantly altered to limit transmission of the virus. Many hospitals limited face-to-face appointments to only the pregnant woman and restricted the number of support people present during labour, birth, and postnatal visits to one person. How these restrictions were experienced by partners and support persons of childbearing women are unknown.

Aim

To explore the experiences of partners and support persons of women receiving maternity care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A two-phased qualitative study including an online survey and interviews. Analysis was undertaken using content analysis.

Findings

Partners and support persons experienced a sense of ‘missing out’ from the pregnancy and maternity care experience because of changes in the provision of care during the pandemic. They reported feelings of isolation, psychological distress, and reduced bonding time with babies. Conflicting information and processes within and across maternity services contributed to feelings of uncertainty and a perceived reduction in the quality of care. Partners and support persons were negatively impacted by restrictions on maternity wards, however they also perceived these to be of benefit to women.

Discussion

Many partners and support persons were negatively impacted by restrictions in maternity services during the pandemic; strategies to ensure their active involvement in maternity care are needed.

Conclusion

This study offers insights from the unique perspective of partners and support people of women receiving maternity care during the pandemic. Policies and processes that exclude partners and support persons need to be reconsidered.

Expectant parents' perspectives on the influence of a single antenatal relaxation class: A qualitative study

AIM

This study explores the perspectives of expectant parents on the influence of a single antenatal class incorporating education on childbirth physiology and relaxation techniques.

METHOD

The data for this qualitative descriptive study were collected via in-depth interviews with six women and three birth partners.

FINDINGS

An enhanced understanding of childbirth physiology formed a 'different way of thinking' about childbirth, 'inspired and motivated' the exertion of the learnt relaxation techniques which led to a 'deepsense of calmness' associated with increased confidence and reduced fear. However, reaching such sense of calmness during childbirth required a 'space for relaxation' which was influenced by birth attendants. An overarching theme of 'a positive outlook' towards childbirth was identified.

CONCLUSION

Including education on childbirth physiology and a range of relaxation techniques may reduce fear, empower prospective parents and positively influence their experiences of pregnancy and childbirth.

Web-based self-help intervention for partners of cancer patients based on acceptance and commitment therapy and self-compassion training: a randomized controlled trial with automated versus personal feedback

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of two versions (personal or automated feedback) of a psychological Web-based self-help intervention targeting partners of cancer patients. The intervention was based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and self-compassion training. Participants’ adherence and their satisfaction were also studied.

Methods

Two hundred three partners of patients with heterogeneous entities of cancer were randomized into three conditions: personal feedback (PF) (n = 67), automated feedback (AF) (n = 70), or waiting list (WL) control (n = 66). Participants completed measures at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1; 3 months after baseline) to assess psychological distress (HADS; primary outcome), positive mental health, caregiver strain, general health (secondary outcomes), posttraumatic growth, resilience, self-compassion, psychological flexibility, sense of mastery, and relational communication style (process measures). Participants in the two experimental conditions also completed these measures at follow-up (T2; 6 months after baseline).

Results

There was no significant difference in change in psychological distress, positive mental health, caregiver strain and general health from T0 to T1 for either of the experimental conditions compared with the WL-condition. However, when compared to a WL-condition, the PF-condition was effective in increasing psychological flexibility (effect size d = 0.49) and resilience (d = 0.12) and decreasing overprotection (d = 0.25), and the AF-condition was effective in reducing overprotection (d = 0.36) and improving protective buffering (d = 0.36). At follow-up, the PF-condition was more effective than the AF-condition for improving mental health (d = 0.36), psychological flexibility (d = 0.60), mastery (d = 0.48), and protective buffering (d = 0.24). Participants positively appreciated the intervention and 69% participants were adherent.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that a Web-based intervention based on ACT and self-compassion training with automated or personal feedback does not seem to improve psychological distress; however, it may have the potential to support partners of cancer patients to cope with the difficult situation they are facing. The condition with personal feedback seemed to be more beneficial.

'At the End of the Day, It's Love': An Exploration of Relationships in Neurodiverse Couples

Most autistic people report challenges in initiating and developing intimate, long-term relationships. We used a phenomenological approach to interview thirteen people who were in a neurodiverse intimate relationship (where one partner had a diagnosis of autism) in order to explore the challenges and facilitators both neurotypical and autistic partners experienced. Analysis revealed that ND relationships progressed along similar pathways as non-ND relationships. Facilitators included the strength-based roles that each partner took on and the genuine support and care for each other. Challenges were reported in communication, difficulties reading and interpreting emotions, and idiosyncratic characteristics of the autistic partner. Strategies that both partners used to cope with these challenges and their perspectives of relationship-support services are also presented.

Perspectives of partners of mothers who experience mental distress in the postnatal period: A systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis

OBJECTIVE

To offer insight and understanding on the perspectives of the partners of mothers who experience postnatal mental distress.

BACKGROUND

Partners have an important role in identifying postnatal mental distress, supporting the mother, and encouraging help-seeking behaviours that may help reduce the associated long-term consequences on the mother and baby.

DESIGN

A qualitative evidence synthesis.

DATA SOURCES

Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, Maternity and Infant Care, PsycINFO and Scopus were searched from their foundation to May 2017 and updated again in April 2019.

REVIEW METHODS

A total of 2928 studies were retrieved. Studies were screened for inclusion and included studies were assessed for methodological quality using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme quality assessment tool. Study characteristics and findings were extracted and analysed using thematic synthesis methods.

RESULTS

Twenty-five studies between 1998 and 2018, involving 270 partners from seven countries were included. Four main themes and nine associated subthemes were identified. These main themes were Knowledge, Relationships, Personal Impact and Disclosure.

CONCLUSIONS

This qualitative evidence synthesis provides clear, nonbiased findings on the perceptions of partners of mothers who experience postnatal mental distress. Partners lacked knowledge on how to identify postnatal mental distress and how to access help. The distress impacted on their relationship with the mother and baby, their health and raised questions about disclosure.

RELEVANCE

The findings from this synthesis will contribute to the development of responsive care for families when a mother experiences postnatal mental distress.

Young Men's Communication With Partners and Contraception Use: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

The rate of adolescent unintended pregnancy in the U.S. is high compared with that in other developed countries. While past research and interventions have focused on young women, the role of young men in pregnancy prevention has increasingly been recognized. Studies have assessed young men's knowledge and attitudes toward pregnancy prevention as well as their role in male-controlled methods of birth control such as condoms or withdrawal. However, less is known about how young men contribute to decision-making about contraceptive methods other than condoms with female partners. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore how young men communicate with their female partners and the effect of such communication on contraception use to prevent pregnancy.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of six databases to identify English language articles published from January 1, 2002, through March 24, 2019. The review specifically explored how young men aged 11-24 years communicate with and affect their female partner (noncondom) contraceptive use. The systematic review explored additional questions, including those pertaining to the timing of partner communication in a relationship, communication strategies used by young men, and which dynamics of partner communication were measured in studies.

RESULTS

Of the 12 articles identified as exploring male partner communication, five of the articles used quantitative analysis to measure any association between partner communication and contraception use, three of which produced statistically significant findings suggesting that communication increases the use of contraception other than condoms. Seven qualitative studies provided supporting narratives from young men describing communication with partners and how they influence contraception use by female partners. The articles also explored timing and strategies of communication, as well as topics, prompts, and communication cues used by young men. Measurements of both communication and contraception varied across studies.

CONCLUSIONS

With the small number of studies identified in this systematic review, we conclude that future research needs to corroborate the relationship between partner communication and contraception use with more robust and precise measurements of both communication and contraception.

Partners' perspective in endometriosis research and treatment: A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative evidence

OBJECTIVE

To summarize the available qualitative and quantitative evidence regarding the impact of endometriosis on women's partners.

METHODS

A systematic electronic search of PubMed and PsycINFO was conducted. All the available evidence regarding partners' psychological condition, quality of life, social and intimate relationships, and sexuality was included, and a narrative synthesis of the findings was provided.

RESULTS

Of 127 studies retrieved through electronic search, only 5 (3 qualitative/semi-qualitative and 2 quantitative studies) matched the inclusion criteria and were included in our review. In total, participants were 399 male partners. Endometriosis negatively affects partners' psychological wellbeing and quality of life, with significant individual differences. Partners of women with endometriosis may experience isolation and lack of engagement in treatment decision-making. Partners also experience the economic burden of the disease, with negative consequences on work functioning and daily life. Sexuality is also negatively affected, although with contradictory findings. Positive aspects of personal and relationship growth were also reported.

CONCLUSION

Endometriosis is an important cause of physical and psychological pain for women, but it may also have a negative impact on their partners. Although the effects of other chronic diseases on partners and caregivers have been largely explored, the small number of articles included in this review indicates that this topic remains understudied in endometriosis research. Endometriosis should be investigated and managed within a systemic framework, with a specific focus on the complex dynamic interaction between individual, relational, sociocultural and environmental factors.

A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of life review therapy targeting incurably ill cancer patients: do their informal caregivers benefit?

Purpose

Investigate whether Life Review Therapy and Memory Specificity Training (LRT-MST) targeting incurably ill cancer patients may also have a beneficial effect on caregiving burden, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and posttraumatic growth of the informal caregivers.

Methods

Data was collected in the context of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (secondary analyses) on the effect of LRT-MST among incurably cancer patients. Informal caregivers of participating patients were asked to complete outcome measures at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 1-month follow-up (T2): caregiver burden (caregivers reaction assessment scale (CRA)), symptoms of anxiety and depression (hospital anxiety and depression scale), and posttraumatic growth (posttraumatic growth inventory). Linear mixed models (intention to treat) were used to assess group differences in changes over time. Effect size and independent samples t tests were used to assess group differences at T1 and T2.

Results

In total, 64 caregivers participated. At baseline, 56% of the caregivers experienced anxiety and 30% depression. No significant effect was found on these symptoms nor on posttraumatic growth or most aspects of caregiver burden. There was a significant effect of LRT-MST on the course of self-esteem (subscale CRA) (p = 0.013). Effect size was moderate post-intervention (ES = − 0.38, p = 0.23) and at 3-month follow-up (ES = 0.53, p = 0.083).

Conclusions

Many caregivers of incurably ill cancer patients experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. LRT-MST does not improve symptoms of depression and anxiety, negative aspects of caregiver burden, or posttraumatic growth. LRT-MST may have a protective effect on self-esteem of informal caregivers (positive aspect of caregiver burden).

Trial registration number

Netherlands Trial Register (NTR 2256), registered on 23-3-2010.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00520-020-05592-w) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The impact of problem gambling: are there enough services available for families with children?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to contribute to research on the help-seeking behaviours of the concerned significant others of gamblers.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a qualitative study.

METHODS

The message data were written by 40 partners of gamblers and collected from a Finnish-language online discussion forum designed for problem gamblers and their significant others. The method used was qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The partners of gamblers who contacted the forum sought help and peer support. The discovery of gambling and debts caused shame, fear of stigmatisation and trust issues among the partners. For many partners, managing the financial matters in the household was a means of saving the family from incurring further debts. The partners had to cope with mixed feelings towards the gambler: some wanted to give their family a chance, whereas others were concerned about their children's well-being and decided to divorce the gambler.

CONCLUSIONS

As long as family members cannot find help for themselves owing to a lack of awareness or fear of stigmatisation, they may suffer from health inequality and social marginalisation.

Gin and tonic: A recipe for success

INTRODUCTION

As members of a profession that supports lifelong learning, faculty and students must both engage in a bi-directional learning partnership that promotes competence, critical inquiry, and a focus on growth and investment in relationships.

PERSPECTIVE

We are all part of a profession that ought to develop learners and leaders, help make each other resilient, and create a forum for innovative thinking and putting patients at the center of our care. We cannot solely focus on one job. This article reflects on the power of mentorship and offers a recipe for engaging mentors and mentees as learning partners. Mentors can look to mentees as learning partners and intentionally bring meaning and purpose into discussions through humility and vulnerability.

IMPLICATIONS

We can learn as much from our mentees as we can teach them. It is a partnership that requires mutual trust, compassion, and utmost respect.

Hypoglycemic Confidence in the Partners of Adults with Type 1 Diabetes

Background: Hypoglycemic confidence (HC) represents the degree to which an individual feels secure regarding his or her ability to stay safe from hypoglycemia-related problems. Self-report scales assessing HC in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have found that greater HC is associated with better glycemic control and that HC rises significantly after real-time continuous glucose monitoring is introduced. To determine whether HC might be similarly meaningful in the partners of T1D adults, we developed the Hypoglycemic Confidence Scale for Partners (Partner-HCS). This article describes the construction and validation of the Partner-HCS and examines how HC in T1D partners is related to hypoglycemia-related experience and key psychosocial constructs. Methods: Items were developed from interviews with seven T1D partners, resulting in 12 self-report items. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was then conducted on data collected from T1D partners (n = 218). Variables to establish construct validity for the Partner-HCS included partner-reported diabetes distress, hypoglycemic fear, generalized anxiety, and confidence regarding glucagon use, as well as frequency of recent severe hypoglycemia in the T1D adult. Hierarchical regression analyses examined the unique contribution of Partner-HCS scores, independent of hypoglycemic fear, to key psychosocial constructs and hypoglycemia-related factors. Results: EFA of the 12 items yielded a single-factor solution, accounting for 51.2% of the variance. Construct validity was demonstrated by significant univariate associations with key psychosocial constructs. Importantly, Partner-HCS total score was, independent of hypoglycemic fear, significantly associated with diabetes distress (P < 0.05), overall relationship satisfaction (P = 0.004), number of severe hypoglycemic episodes in the last 6 months (P < 0.05), and confidence using glucagon (P = 0.007). In total, 38.5% of T1D partners indicated relatively low HC. Conclusions: HC is an important facet of the experiences of T1D partners. It is related to, yet distinct from, hypoglycemic fear. The Partner-HCS is a reliable, valid method for assessing HC in partners of T1D adults.

A cohort study of quality of life in partners of young breast cancer survivors compared to partners of healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Partners of young breast cancer survivors (BCS) are at increased risk for deficits in quality of life (QoL). To intervene effectively, it is important to understand how the breast cancer experience impacts partners. The purpose of this study was to compare QoL between partners of young BCS and partners of healthy acquaintance controls.

METHODS

Partners of young BCS (3-8 years post treatment and ≤ 45 years old at diagnosis) and partners of age-matched healthy acquaintance controls completed questionnaires on overall, physical (physical function, sexual difficulty), social (personal resources, sexual enjoyment, marital satisfaction, partner social support, social constraints, parenting satisfaction), psychological (depressive symptoms), and spiritual (behaviors, beliefs, and activities) QoL. Analyses included descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA to compare partner groups on all study variables.

RESULTS

Although partners of young BCS (n = 227) reported fewer social constraints (p < .001), they reported lower overall QoL (p < .001), fewer personal resources (p < .001), more sexual difficulty (p = .019), less sexual enjoyment (p = .002), less marital satisfaction (p = .019), more depressive symptoms (p = .024), and fewer spiritual behaviors (p < .001), beliefs (p = .001) and activities (p = .003) compared to partners of healthy acquaintance controls (n = 170). Additional analysis showed that perceptions that the relationship changed for the better since cancer, social constraints, partner social support, and depression predicted marital satisfaction among partners of young BCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Partners of young BCS are at risk for poorer overall, physical, social, psychological, and spiritual QoL compared to partners of healthy women. Interventions targeting QoL domains may enable partners to effectively support their partner and improve their QoL.

Implementing a healthy postpartum lifestyle after gestational diabetes or preeclampsia: a qualitative study of the partner's role

Background

Women with preeclampsia (PE) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are at increased risk for later cardiovascular disease, and lifestyle measures are recommended to prevent subsequent disease. Partner support has been shown to be important in lifestyle modification in other diseases, but there is a lack of knowledge of partner involvement in PE and GDM. The aim of this study was to explore the partner’s experiences and knowledge of gestational diseases, and how the partner wishes to contribute to lifestyle change.

Methods

A qualitative study with one focus group interview and seven in-depth individual interviews, involving eleven partners of women with a pregnancy complicated by GDM or PE. The interview data were inductively analysed using four-step systematic text condensation, supported by interdependence theory.

Results

Partners experienced a strong “we-feeling” and wanted to support the woman in lifestyle changes. At the same time, they felt insecure, worried, foolish and left out and they missed information from clinicians. The partners felt that their involvement was crucial to lasting lifestyle changes and expected that the clinicians would routinely invite them to discuss lifestyle change.

Conclusions

Partners considered themselves an important resource for lifestyle changes for women with PE and GDM, but missed being more directly invited, informed and included in maternity care and wanted to participate in the care that followed the gestational disease. This study can help health professionals to realize that partners are an overlooked resource that can make important contributions to improve the health of the whole family if they are involved and supported by health services.

Efficacy and cost-utility of the eHealth self-management application 'Oncokompas', helping partners of patients with incurable cancer to identify their unmet supportive care needs and to take actions to meet their needs: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background

Incurable cancer does not only affect patients, it also affects the lives of their partners. Many partners take on caregiving responsibilities. The burden of these caregiving tasks are often associated with physical, psychological, and social difficulties and many partners have unmet supportive care needs. Oncokompas is an eHealth self-management application to support partners in finding and obtaining optimal supportive care, tailored to their quality of life and personal preferences. A randomized controlled trial will be carried out to determine the efficacy and cost-utility of Oncokompas.

Methods

A total of 136 adult partners of patients with incurable cancer will be included. Partners will be randomly assigned to the intervention group, which directly gets access to Oncokompas, or the waiting-list control group, which gets access to Oncokompas after three months. The primary outcome measure is caregiver burden. Secondary outcome measures comprise self-efficacy, health-related quality of life, and costs. Measures will be assessed at baseline, two weeks after randomization, and three months after the baseline measurement.

Discussion

This study will result in evidence on the efficacy and cost-utility of Oncokompas among partners of patients with incurable cancer, which might lead to implementation of Oncokompas as a health service for partners of patients with incurable cancer.

Trial registration

Netherlands Trial Register, NTR 7636. Registered on 23 November 2018.

High anxiety and depressive symptoms in partners of type 1 diabetes persons in a sample of the Brazilian population

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) affects psychologically not only the persons with diabetes themselves but affects their family members. Few studies were conducted to investigate mental health in T1D partners. This study aims: (1) to investigate the frequency of depressive and anxiety symptoms in T1D partners and, (2) to investigate the associations among partners' depressive and anxiety symptoms and their sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics, and (3) to investigate the associations among partners' depressive and anxiety symptoms and clinical, laboratory and demographic characteristics of their T1D spouses in a Brazilian population.

METHODS

In a transversal study 72 T1D partners were interviewed. Partners were invited to take part in the study during their T1D spouses' routine consultations. Those who consented to take part in the study signed the consent form. This study followed the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the University Ethics in Research Committee. Inclusion criteria were T1D partners age ≥ 18 and T1D diagnosis > 6 months. Exclusion criteria were cognitive impairment, history of major psychiatric disorders, and severe chronic and terminal diseases. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HADD) and anxiety symptoms were evaluated by the anxiety subscale of the same instrument (HADA). T1D partners were divided into subgroups according to score ≥ 8 and < 8 in both subscales. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from interview. Descriptive analyses were undertaken using means and percentages, as appropriate. Differences between groups were assessed by the Mann-Whitney test for numerical variables, by the Chi Square test or by Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, as appropriate. All analyses were undertaken using SAS version 9.2 for Windows. Statistical significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

Of all 72 T1D partners, 72.2% were male, mean age was 42.7 ± 14.1 years old, years of school attendance were 11.8 ± 3.9 years, and 48.5% had income reaching until 3 Brazilian minimal wages. Forty-three percent reported high anxiety symptoms (HADA ≥ 8) and 18.1% reported high depressive symptoms (HADD ≥ 8). Comparing T1D partners group with HADA ≥ 8 and < 8, the first one was associated with CGM use (41.94% vs 19.51%; p = 0.03). Similarly, comparing T1D partners group with HADD ≥ 8 and < 8, the first one was associated with (1) longer duration of T1D of their spouses (28.6 ± 7.1 vs 22.4 ± 12.2; p = 0.02); (2) less years of school attendance of T1D partners (9.3 ± 3.2 vs 12.3 ± 3.8; p = 0.02), and (3) higher number of hypoglycemic episodes requiring other person's intervention (6.3 ± 8.9 vs 2.4 ± 4.7; p = 0.009). Seventy-six percent of partners who helped personally in their spouses' hypoglycemia recovery had HADD ≥ 8 vs 44.7% with HADD < 8 (p = 0.03). Likewise, 84.6% vs 54.2% of partners in which their spouses have T1D chronic complications had HADD ≥ 8 and < 8, respectively (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

This study showed a high frequency of relevant anxiety and depressive symptoms in this T1D partner population. Several issues related to T1D of their spouses were associated with these symptoms. These results emphasize the need to incorporate the psychological and psychiatric aspects into T1D partners' education and care.

What roles do male partners play in the mothering experiences of women living with mental illness? A qualitative secondary analysis

BACKGROUND

Mothers who live with mental illness face diverse challenges. Research suggests that partner support or otherwise is likely to have a crucial influence on mothers' abilities to manage these challenges, yet little is known about how this plays out. In this study, we aimed to explore the roles played by male partners in the mothering experiences of women living with mental illness.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative secondary analysis using interview data collected from 18 participants in two previous qualitative studies. Both studies focused on the mothering experiences of women who lived with mental illness. In both studies, the importance of male partners was striking. The data were analyzed using constant comparative analysis.

RESULTS

The roles of partners in women's experiences of mothering were multiple and dynamic, with each male partner playing a unique combination of roles. These included: facilitator; teammate; unfulfilled potential; distraction; dismantler, and threat to child. Roles were influenced by: mothers' interpretations; partners' behaviors, characteristics and circumstances; the family's living and custody arrangements; mothers' active management strategies; and a range of external controls and supports.

CONCLUSIONS

Health professionals need to consider the complex roles partners play. This crucial aspect of mothers' social environments can be optimized by directly supporting and enabling partners themselves, and by supporting mothers to actively shape their partners' roles.

Posttraumatic stress disorder in partners following severe postpartum haemorrhage: A prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Partners of women are increasingly present during childbirth and may be exposed to a traumatic experience. Since parents' mental health issues (i.e. posttraumatic stress disorder) have been shown to increase the risk of problems in the child's development, it is important to identify these risk factors. Partners often describe severe postpartum haemorrhage as traumatic.

AIM

Whether witnessing severe postpartum haemorrhage is a risk factor for developing posttraumatic stress disorder in partners.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, we compared partners of women with severe postpartum haemorrhage (≥2000 mL) and partners of women with ≤500 mL of blood loss (controls). Four weeks after birth partners were screened for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms with a self-report questionnaire. Scores ≥11 were followed by a gold standard clinical interview to diagnose posttraumatic stress disorder.

FINDINGS

We included 123 severe postpartum haemorrhage partners and 62 control partners. Partners of women with severe postpartum haemorrhage reported higher scores than control partners (median 3.0 (0.0-7.0) vs 2.0 (0.0-4.0), p = 0.04) on symptoms of posttraumatic stress, but no significant difference in probable posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis according to the self-report questionnaire was found. According to the clinical interview no partners were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder. Severe postpartum haemorrhage was experienced as traumatic by the partners who felt excluded.

CONCLUSION

None of the partners developed posttraumatic stress disorder, revealing the resilience of young fathers. Because some partners reported severe postpartum haemorrhage as traumatic, we recommend sufficient information and support is provided during childbirth.

Sharing lives, sharing bodies: partners negotiating breast cancer experiences

By drawing on Jean-Luc Nancy's philosophy of ontological relationality, this article explores what it means to be a 'we' in breast cancer. What are the characteristics-the extent and diversity-of couples' relationally lived experiences of bodily changes in breast cancer? Through analyzing duo interviews with diagnosed women and their partners, four ways of sharing an embodied life are identified. (1) While 'being different together', partners have different, albeit connected kinds of experiences of breast cancer. (2) While 'being there for you', partners take care of each other in mutually dependent ways. (3) While 'being reconnected to you', partners (re-)relate to each other through intimacy and sexuality. (4) While 'being like you', partners synchronize their embodied daily lives to one another, sometimes up to the point that the self cannot be distinguished from the other anymore. These ways reveal that being a 'we' involves complex affective, bodily encounters in which the many fault lines that both separate partners into individual selves and join them together as a unity are continuously reshaped and negotiated. Being a 'we' may be understood as something we have to do. Therefore, in being true to the legacy of Nancy, we argue at the end of this article for a sensible praxis of sharing a life and body, particularly in breast cancer.

Impact of post-traumatic stress symptoms on the health-related quality of life in a cohort study with chronically critically ill patients and their partners: age matters

Background

Survivors of an acute critical illness with continuing organ dysfunction and uncontrolled inflammatory responses are prone to become chronically critically ill. As mental sequelae, a post-traumatic stress disorder and an associated decrease in the health-related quality of life (QoL) may occur, not only in the patients but also in their partners. Currently, research on long-term mental distress in chronically critically ill patient-partner dyads, using appropriate dyadic analysis strategies (patients and partners being measured and linked on the same variables) and controlling for contextual factors, is lacking.

Methods

The present study investigates the interdependence of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and the health-related QoL in n = 70 dyads of chronically critically ill patients and their partners, using the Actor-Partner-Interdependence Model (APIM) under consideration of contextual factors (age, gender, length of partnership). The Post-traumatic Stress Scale (PTSS-10) and Euro-Quality of Life (EQ-5D-3L) were applied in both the patients and their partners, within up to 6 months after the transfer from acute care ICU to post-acute ICU.

Results

Clinically relevant post-traumatic stress symptoms were reported by 17.1% of the patients and 18.6% of the partners. Both the chronically critically ill patients and their partners with more severe post-traumatic stress symptoms also showed a decreased health-related QoL. The latter was more pronounced in male partners compared to female partners or female patients. In younger partners (≤ 57 years), higher values of post-traumatic stress symptoms were associated with a decreased QoL in the patients.

Conclusions

Mental health screening and psychotherapeutic treatment options should be offered to both the chronically critically ill patients and their partners. Future research is required to address the special needs of younger patient-partner dyads, following protracted ICU treatment.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register No. DRKS00003386. Registered 13 November 2011

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13054-019-2321-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Allosteric Modulation of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins

The allosteric property of globular proteins is applauded as their intrinsic ability to regulate distant sites, and this property further plays a critical role in a wide variety of cellular regulatory mechanisms. Recent advancements and studies have revealed the manifestation of allostery in intrinsically disordered proteins or regions as allosteric sites present within or mediated by IDP/IDRs facilitates the signaling interactions for various biological mechanisms which would otherwise be impossible for globular proteins to regulate. This thematic review has highlighted the biological outcomes that can be achieved by the mechanism of allosteric regulation of intrinsically disordered proteins or regions. The similar mechanism has been implemented on Adenovirus 5 early region 1A and tumor apoptosis protein p53 in correspondence with other partners in binary and ternary complexes, which are the subject of the current review. Both these proteins regulate once they bind to their partners, consequently, forming either a binary or a ternary complex. Allosteric regulation by IDPs is currently a subject undergoing intense study, and the ongoing research work will ensure a better understanding of precision and efficiency of cellular regulation by them. Allosteric regulation mechanism can also be researched by intrinsically disordered protein-specific force field.

The quality of life when a partner has substance use problems: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To examine the existing body of knowledge on quality of life (QoL) in partners of people with substance use problems (PP-SUPs) to provide a synthesized summary of the evidence and identify gaps in our knowledge on the QoL of PP-SUPs.

METHODS

A systematic scoping review was performed. Publications indexed in EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, SocINDEX, and CENTRAL were searched for original, empirical, peer-reviewed, full-length research papers that examined QoL in PP-SUPs. Research papers identified through a manual search of key references and known references by co-authors were also included. A total of 3070 abstracts were screened, 41 full-text papers examined, and nine were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Eligibility was determined in two steps by four and two independent researchers, respectively. The main findings were explored by content analysis.

RESULTS

Eight of the nine included studies had quantitative designs, one had a mixed methods design, and no qualitative studies were found. Three studies were conducted exclusively among PP-SUPs, whereas the others included various subgroups. A majority of participants were women, and no study was conducted exclusively among men. Nearly half of the studies reported on whether there were minor children in the PP-SUPs' household. The studies used established and generic QoL instruments based on different conceptual and theoretical perspectives on QoL. A majority of the studies found lower QoL in PP-SUPs than in general population, with substance use by the person with a SUP having the most impact on QoL of all evaluated factors. Two studies reported that gender was associated with QoL, with poor QoL being associated with being a male partner and vice versa for female partners.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research is needed to examine QoL in PP-SUPs exclusively. A variety of QoL instruments covering various, but limited, dimensions of the concept have been used in previous studies of PP-SUPs. Thus, obtaining a comprehensive understanding of PP-SUPs' QoL is challenging. Both qualitative and large-scale quantitative designs should be used in research on QoL in PP-SUPs, particularly among those with a parenting role.

The impact of postpartum psychosis on partners

Background

Postpartum Psychosis is a severe mental health condition following childbirth, with a psychosis and associated mood disturbance. Research to date has primarily focused on mothers’ experiences, and on identifying risk factors, aetiology, and intervention efficacy. Within both research and clinical communities, there has been little acknowledgement of partners’ experiences of Postpartum Psychosis, nor the important support role that partners can provide. The aim of this study was to consider the lived experiences of partners of women who have had Postpartum Psychosis, and the impact that it has had on their lives and relationships.

Methods

Participants (N = 8) were partners recruited through the charity Action on Postpartum Psychosis. Partners completed an in-depth, semi-structured interview regarding their experiences of Postpartum Psychosis. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the interview transcripts.

Results

Seven superordinate themes emerged from the interview data: loss; powerlessness; united vs. individual coping; hypothesising and hindsight; barriers to accessing care and unmet needs; managing multiple roles; and positive changes from Postpartum Psychosis.

Conclusions

These findings provide a rich illustration of the experiences of partners, including some previously unidentified findings relating to partner hypervigilance to signs of relapse and positive changes in their attitudes and relationships. Areas where support could be provided for partners are also highlighted.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12884-018-2055-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.