Are married couples happier in their relationships than cohabiting couples? Intimacy and relationship factors

This study was designed to examine the relationship between dyadic adjustment and intimacy, and to determine how this varies for different types of relationships between males and females, and for relationships of different duration. Eighty-seven heterosexual couples (10 dating, 21 living together, 56 married) participated in the study. The results demonstrated that there was a strong interrelationship between intimacy and dyadic adjustment for both males and females. Those in relationships of longer duration and married couples experienced higher levels of intimacy and relationship satisfaction than other couples. There was a general trend for married couples and those who were living together to have a higher level of agreement on their levels of intimacy and relationship adjustment than couples who were dating. The implication of these findings for obtaining a better understanding of the lifecycle of relationships is discussed.

The impact of stigma on couples managing a sexually transmitted infection

Recent research has indicated that the stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) creates a psychological and emotional burden for individuals with these conditions. It would be expected that the stigma of having a STI would also alter the dynamics of an intimate relationship. This paper reviews the literature on the impact of STIs on intimate relationships, and considers the relevance of this research to both clinicians and researchers. In particular, the types of relationships in which the presence of a STI may have a varying degree of impact are examined. Since disclosure of a STI would also be expected to impact on a relationship, an overview of the factors involved in the disclosure of a STI to a partner is also considered. Finally, the implications of this research for both clinicians and researchers are discussed.

Positive pathways for couples and families : meeting existing and emerging challenges of relationships

There is a growing need to develop an understanding of the positive pathways that strengthen the relationships of Australian couples and families. The couples and families in contemporary society are faced with many challenges and pressures that can mitigate against maintaining satisfying and enduring couple and family relationships. For example, increasing need for dual income families, longer working hours and demographic shifts that see older people living longer and children staying at home longer mean that couples are often required to provide familial care across two generations – frail ageing parents and children. These highlight just some of the pressures faced which can lead to couples not taking the time to cultivate their relationships. The aim of the workshop was to deal with many of these issues by linking research, policy and practice in ways that would help families meet such challenges. The two-day workshop, held 1-2 November 2008 in Melbourne, brought together leading and emerging Australian and international relationship researchers with practitioners, educators, policy makers and service-delivery organisations. Alongside the Academy, the event was sponsored by Deakin University, the University of Queensland, the Department of Families, Housing and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCHSIA), the Attorney General's Department (AG Department), the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and Lifeworks. The workshop comprised seven sessions and two break-out discussions. A total of 28 participants attended the workshop. Of these participants, there were 19 speakers and 7 delegates from the various sponsor organisations that took part in group discussions.

Effect of erectile dysfunction medications on coexsisting dysfunctions in couples : Partner's Preference Study

There is sparse information on how treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) affects couples. This study investigated the effects of ED treatments on 100 heterosexual couples' sexual functioning and whether function achieved using a short-acting versus a long-acting ED medication differed significantly. Couples were randomized to use tadalafil or sildenafil for each of two 12-week study phases; they completed questionnaires (International Index of Sexual Function and Female Sexual Function Index) and kept sexual event diaries. All participants experienced significant improvements over baseline sexual functioning, while the men used short- or long-acting ED medications with no significant differences related to the duration of drug action recorded for either the men or women. Despite this lack of difference in efficacy there was a strong preference by women (79%) and their partners (16%) for the longer-acting medication. The reasons for this warrant further investigation. Understanding the effects on couples of the use of ED medications is a necessary aspect of ensuring ongoing sexual satisfaction in couples treated for ED.

The effects of treating male hypogonadism on couples' sexual desire and function

Introduction: Hypogonadism is a common endocrine condition characterized by low levels of testosterone (T) and marked by numerous symptoms, one of which is low sexual desire. Studies comparing T delivery systems have suggested that hypogonadal men’s partners may be at risk from exposure to T gels. Little other mention is found of the impact of hypogonadism and its treatment on a man’s partner and the couple’s sexual function.

Aim: To assess sexual desire and sexual function in hypogonadal men and their woman partners before and after treatment with T replacement therapy.

Methods: Twenty-one hypogonadal men and 18 partners were recruited from a   tertiary endocrine clinic, and were compared with a control group of 20 eugonadal age-matched men and their partners. All men had baseline blood tests to confirm their status as hypogonadal or eugonadal, and hypogonadal men repeated tests at 3-month intervals. All participants completed the Sexual Desire Inventory (SDI) and sexual function questionnaires at baseline and at 3-month intervals until the hypogonadal men attained normal T levels.

Main Outcome Measures: Pre- and post-treatment SDI and sexual function questionnaires were compared once T normalization was achieved. Between- and within-group comparisons were carried out.

Results: Pretreatment hypogonadal men recorded lower levels of sexual desire and function than controls, but significantly improved once hypogonadism was corrected. Eugonadal controls recorded no significant changes in either sexual desire or function during the study. Partners of the hypogonadal men reported no changes on the SDI, but significant improvements in sexual function as their partners recovered.

Conclusion: SDI and sexual function measures reflect sexual changes that  accompany rising serum T levels during correction of male hypogonadism. Women partners reported more satisfaction, less pain, and improved sexual function following the men’s treatment. Treatments affecting one partner potentially have important effects on the other.

Researching Moslem-Christian marriages : extrapolating from mixed-faith couples towards the practices of Convivencia

Moslem–Christian marriage can be seen as a kind of ‘testing place’ for examining and appreciating the practices of difference. This article offers a summary from a recent local research project which investigated these relationships (Ata, 2003). The empirical data from the study was ‘milled’ for its potential to inform practice, a process that generated four themes that practitioners may find useful in their attempts to design practice approaches that are sensitive to alternative anthropologies. Beginning from the contention that the otherness of those for whom we work can be a mirror for our own cultural and practice assumptions, we extrapolate from these themes to practise with other examples of diversity. It is argued that our efforts to practise with diverse populations will be unengaging, even colonising, unless we are able to denaturalise our own positions.

Who's cheating? Agreements about sexual exclusivity and subsequent concurrent partnering in Australian heterosexual couples

Background Concurrent relationships are a driver of generalised epidemics of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). In Australia, explicit negotiation of agreements about sex outside regular relationships has been recommended in health promotion for gay men but not for heterosexuals.

A pilot, multisite, randomized controlled trial of a self-directed coping skills training intervention for couples facing prostate cancer : accrual, retention, and data collection issues

PURPOSE: To examine the acceptability of the methods used to evaluate Coping-Together, one of the first self-directed coping skill intervention for couples facing cancer, and to collect preliminary efficacy data. METHODS: Forty-two couples, randomized to a minimal ethical care (MEC) condition or to Coping-Together, completed a survey at baseline and 2 months after, a cost diary, and a process evaluation phone interview. RESULTS: One hundred seventy patients were referred to the study. However, 57 couples did not meet all eligibility criteria, and 51 refused study participation. On average, two to three couples were randomized per month, and on average it took 26 days to enrol a couple in the study. Two couples withdrew from MEC, none from Coping-Together. Only 44 % of the cost diaries were completed, and 55 % of patients and 60 % of partners found the surveys too long, and this despite the follow-up survey being five pages shorter than the baseline one. Trends in favor of Coping-Together were noted for both patients and their partners. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the challenges of conducting dyadic research, and a number of suggestions were put forward for future studies, including to question whether distress screening was necessary and what kind of control group might be more appropriate in future studies.

A longitudinal study of older couples coping with chronic conditions

 This study involved a longitudinal investigation of how older couples cope with chronic illness. The study found that one person’s chronic illness affects the wellbeing of both members of the couple. Ensuring that both members of the couple are supported when a chronic illness is experienced is important to optimise the psychological health of this vulnerable cohort of Australians.