Dyadic Coping

Paardynamik
Methodenspezifische und methodenübergreifende Beiträge zur Psychotherapie im Paar- und Einzelsetting

2018
von Renate Hutterer-Krisch, Gabriele Rass-Hubinek bei facultas
ISBN: 978-3-7089-1685-9

Kapitel über Polyamorie;

Im Mainstream der akademischen Psychologie wird das Konzept der monogamen Zweierbeziehung selten in Frage gestellt. Die akademische Psychologie zeigt einen Bias, indem sie zumeist Monogamie als Inbegriff einer gesunden und erfolgrei- chen Beziehungskultur darstellt. Auch der Hauptstrom der Psychotherapie repro- duziert diese normativen Strukturen, indem sie nicht-monogame Beziehungen als pathologisch und dysfunktional portraitiert. Diese Abhandlung möchte dies- bezüglich eine Lücke schließen und sieht sich als Beitrag zur Herstellung von akademischer Öffentlichkeit für Menschen, die Polyamorie leben. Die folgende Biographiestudie intendiert eine Veränderung in der Sichtweise von nicht-mono- gamen Beziehungskulturen, indem sie anregt, diese Beziehungsdynamiken aus einem Blickfeld jenseits von Heteromononormativität zu beobachten.

This article describes an arts-based intervention program for seven care dyads of elderly persons and their caregivers who are foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore. The intervention aimed to introduce interdisciplinary tools of artmaking and mindfulness that could be used to improve the communication and relationship between the care dyad and to support the stress reduction and self-care of caregivers. Following a client-based approach, eight sessions were conducted, once weekly, over a 2-month period in hybrid structure, at the home of the care dyad and through the use of Google Meet. Qualitative data were collected in personal interviews, questionnaires, and visual data, and they were connected with art therapists' fieldnotes and reflection journals. At the end of the program, an online feedback session was offered to the elderly participants' family members, and their feedback was collected using a questionnaire. The data analysis confirms the impact of the artmaking intervention on the communication and relationship of the dyad. Participants reported that artmaking combined with mindfulness tools contributed to their understanding of their care-recipient (CR)/caregiver, improved their daily care activities, and helped caregivers explore new ways of self-care and stress relief. The hybrid model of implementation was effective and encouraged caregivers to explore and practice the tools learned independently between sessions. The results of this pilot program inform the development of intervention programs for care dyads as well as training programs for both caregivers, art therapists, and other care professionals. The intervention for care dyads highlights the importance of dyadic care as part of a holistic approach to caregiving. The inclusion of FDWs in the program suggests that both CRs and caregivers are one unit in which their well-being is interdependent. Further research may explore specific artmaking activities for other dyads of caregivers and CRs with differing care needs and backgrounds. Potential training activities and models could support the use of this intervention by therapists and other professionals.

This study aims to explore the mediating role of dyadic coping between relational resilience and parenting stress on married couples. The study participants comprised 229 married couples with at least one child and who have had major life event. The Relational Resilience Scale, Parenting Stress Inventory, Dyadic Coping Scale and Personal Information and Life Events Forms were used to collect data for this study. Data were analyzed with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM). The results revealed that dyadic coping actor-partner effects did not mediate between relational resilience and parenting stress. The results were discussed in relation 2 to the social-ecological model and relevant literature. Based on current findings, recommendations and implications for further research and practice were also proposed.

COVID-19 salgınının toplumda yayılım hızını yavaşlatmak ve sağlık sisteminin hastaları tedavi etme kapasitesini daha etkili yönetmek için Türkiye dahil dünyanın pek çok ülkesinde kitlesel önlemler alındı. Halk sağlığı uzmanlarının önerileri doğrultusunda okullar, restoranlar, alışveriş merkezleri ve işyerleri kapatıldı, uzaktan eğitime ve çalışmaya geçildi, halka evde kalma ve zorunlu olmadıkça dışarı çıkmama çağrısı yapıldı. Dünya Sağlık Örgütü [1], Mart sonunda yayınladığı bildiride sosyal mesafelendirmenin 'sosyal izolasyon' anlamına gelmediğini, mesafelendirme önlemlerinin fiziksel düzeyde kalması gerektiğini önemle vurguladı. Bu bağlamda, evde kalmamıza rağmen internet üzerinden yakın çevremizle iletişim kurmamız, dayanışmamız ve sosyalleşmemiz öneriliyor.

Previous studies have revealed that the ways couples deal with stress in their lives are significantly associated with their marital quality and overall marital functioning. However, there has been little empirical evidence linking dyadic coping with marital quality over time. This study addresses the relationship between dyadic coping and marital quality among 90 couples over a period of 2 years. The results reveal that dyadic coping was significantly associated with marital quality over 2 years. For women, both their own dyadic coping and that of their partner were significant predictors, whereas for men only their own dyadic coping was predictive. The results are discussed with regard to prevention of marital distress.

Although active, responsive listening is widely assumed to be essential for well-functioning intimate relationships, the manner in which this important behavior might promote closeness remains unknown. To test the prediction that listening may be especially influential when partners disclose experiences of stress, we instructed 365 heterosexual couples to hold two 8-min conversations in which each partner discussed a stressful personal experience while the other partner was asked to respond as he or she ordinarily would. We coded expressions of stress and listening behavior at 10s-intervals during these conversations, applied Actor-Partner Multilevel models to compute a variable capturing the covariation between one partner’s stress expression and the other partner’s listening behavior, and then used that variable in regression analyses to predict observed dyadic coping behaviors, self-reports of the quality of dyadic coping in general, and self-reports of relationship satisfaction. Attentive listening while the other partner expressed stress was significantly linked with better dyadic coping behaviors and higher relationship satisfaction. Partners displaying less attentive listening during the partner’s stress expression also engaged in more problem-oriented coping and more negative dyadic coping. Because attentive listening during disclosure of stress covaries in expected ways with support provision and judgments of relationship quality, appreciating the context-specific effects of active listening merits careful consideration as an intervention target in couple therapy and in relationship education programs.

Romantic partners have different attitudes on what love is and what it means to be in a romantic relationship. These attitudes are conceptualized as love styles that relate to relationship-maintenance behaviors and relationship satisfaction. Specifically, love styles could be associated with how partners cope with stress (dyadic coping), which in turn may be associated with relationship satisfaction. Using self-report data from 92 heterosexual couples, findings showed that: (a) eros and agape love styles have positive direct effects on dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction, whereas ludus has a negative direct effect on dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction and (b) dyadic coping partially mediated the association between love styles and relationship satisfaction. Overall, associations were stronger for women than for men.

Objective: Chronic physical illness affects not only patients but also their partners.
Dyadic coping (DC)—the ways couples cope in dealing with a stressor such as chronic
illness—has received increased attention over the last three decades. The aim of the
current study was to summarize the state of research on DC in couples with chronic
physical illnesses.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of qualitative, quantitative, and
mixed-methods studies published between 1990 and 2020, assessing DC in couples
affected by severe physical illnesses. We used DC and related search terms for the
literature search in Psycinfo, Psyndex, and Medline. Five thousand three hundred thirty
studies were identified in three electronic databases and 49 of these were included
in the review (5,440 individuals reported on 2,820 dyads). We excluded studies on
cancer, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis because of existing reviews in
the respective fields. Half of the studies included were on diabetes. Other studies
were on arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Huntington’s disease, lupus erythematosus, Parkinson’s
disease, renal diseases, stroke, and endometriosis. Two raters extracted data using a
predefined protocol, including study quality. Results were collated in a narrative synthesis
organized by illness and DC operationalization.
Results: Overall, DC was associated with beneficial outcomes in physical health,
well-being, and relationship satisfaction. Differential effects became apparent for certain
chronic conditions potentially depending on certain disease characteristics, such as
early-onset, sudden-onset, or life-threatening conditions.
Conclusion: Facing challenges together as a couple seemed indispensable for adapting
to a diverse range of demands related to chronic illnesses with some specific demands
of particular chronic diseases. There is a need for the development of truly dyadic
interventions with an eye on the specific challenges of the various chronic conditions.

Stress and coping in couples have received increased research attention during the past two decades, particularly with regard to how couples cope with stress. Dyadic coping has emerged as a strong predictor of relationship satisfaction. Less research has focused on the effects of dyadic coping on other outcomes or family members. In the present study, the authors addressed this gap by examining parents' dyadic coping as a predictor of children's internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and prosocial behavior in three independent studies. In Studies 1 and 2 self-report data were used to assess par-ents' dyadic coping through the parents' and the children's perspective, and Study 3 included observational data on dyadic coping. Parental dyadic coping was related to children's exter-nalizing symptoms, internalizing symptoms, and prosocial behavior, although results for the latter two outcomes were not consistent across the three studies. The findings suggest that parents' dyadic coping deserves greater consideration within the context of child development.

Abstract. Dyadic coping has received increased attention during the last decade, both in theory and empirical studies. Two main models of dyadic
coping are proposed in the current literature: (1) a comparative approach in which each partner’s individual coping is compared with the other’s
individual coping with regard to congruence or discrepancy and (2) a systemic model where dyadic coping is conceptualized as an interactive and
reciprocal process. In this study, the predictive power of these two different models of dyadic coping is examined regarding relationship quality andwellbeing.
The study is conducted with 443 Swiss couples. Results reveal that both dyadic coping measures are related to relationship quality and
psychological well-being. However the systemic dyadic coping measure is a stronger predictor than the discrepancy measure for relationship quality.
Both measures showweaker associations with well-being. Findings are discussed with regard to theoretical issues and their implication for practical work.

The transition to parenthood (TTP) is a stressful life event for most couples. Therefore, the way both partners jointly cope with stress (i.e., dyadic coping) is important for the prevention of individual adjustment problems (e.g., depression). For dyadic coping to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms, efforts of both partners should be equal. However, many couples experience a decrease of equity in task division within the domestic sphere across the TTP. The current study investigates the equity of a specific skill within the 'relationship sphere', because similarly to a decreased equity in household and childcare, a decreased equity of dyadic coping is likely to be associated with poorer individual adjustment. We collected longitudinal self-report data on dyadic coping and depressive symptoms from 104 mixed-gender first-time parents (n = 208 individuals) from pregnancy until 40 weeks postpartum. We created an equity score for men and women that measured their perceived difference between received and provided dyadic coping. On average, women reported providing more and receiving less dyadic coping than men. While both genders agreed on this distribution, men did perceive a higher equity of dyadic coping than women. Furthermore, the decrease of equity perceived by women across TTP was not visible in men. In line with our assumptions based on the equity theory, perceived equity of dyadic coping was associated with depressive symptoms in a curvilinear manner: Decreases in women's perceived equity in either direction (over-or underbenefit) were associated with more depressive symptoms in women and their male partners. This association was found above and beyond the beneficial effect of dyadic coping itself. This implies that not only how well partners support each other in times of stress, but also how equal both partners' efforts are, is important for their individual adjustment across TTP.

Objective: Optimism has been linked with an array of positive health outcomes at the individual level. However, researchers have not examined how a spouse's optimism might impact an individual's health. We hypothesized that being optimistic (and having an optimistic spouse) would both be associated with better health.

Methods: Participants were 3940 adults (1970 couples) from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative panel study of American adults over the age of 50. Participants were tracked for four years and outcomes included: physical functioning, self-rated health, and number of chronic illnesses. We analyzed the dyadic data using the actor–partner interdependence model.

Results: After controlling for several psychological and demographic factors, a person's own optimism and their spouse's optimism predicted better self-rated health and physical functioning (bs = .08–.25, ps < .01). More optimistic people also reported better physical functioning (b = −.11, p < .01) and fewer chronic illnesses (b = −.01, p < .05) over time. Further, having an optimistic spouse uniquely predicted better physical functioning (b = − .09, p < .01) and fewer chronic illnesses (b = − .01, p < .05) over time. The strength of the relationship between optimism and health did not diminish over time.

Conclusions: Being optimistic and having an optimistic spouse were both associated with better health. Examining partner effects is important because such analyses reveal the unique role that spouses play in promoting health. These findings may have important implications for future health interventions.

Highlights
•Optimism is associated with an array of health outcomes at the individual level.
•However, a spouse’s optimism has the potential to impact an individual’s health.
•We tested whether a spouse’s optimism impacted an individual’s health over time.
•We used data from a nationally representative sample of older U.S. adults.
•A spouse’s optimism was uniquely associated with an individual’s health over time.

Introduction: For couples, depression can position diagnosed partners to receive dyadic coping and mates to primarily provide support. We examine whether inequities in dyadic coping covary with depressive symptoms. Methods: Using data from 62 mixed-gender couples with one partner diagnosed with major depression (60% female), we computed differences between provided and received dyadic coping reported by both partners. With Response Surface Analyses we examined the associations with depressive symptoms. Results: In patients, lower equity of dyadic coping was associated with more depressive symptoms, regardless of whether the patient felt underbenefitted or overbenefitted. In partners, dyadic coping was negatively associated with depressive symptoms while equity of dyadic coping showed no significant associations. Patients and partners both reported providing more dyadic coping than they received. Discussion: Inequities in dyadic coping covary with depressive symptoms in patients, beyond main effects of dyadic coping, justifying the inclusion of couples in treatment for depression.

Previous studies have revealed that the ways couples deal with stress in their lives are significantly associated with their marital quality and overall marital functioning. However, there has been little empirical evidence linking dyadic coping with marital quality over time. This study addresses the relationship between dyadic coping and marital quality among 90 couples over a period of 2 years. The results reveal that dyadic coping was significantly associated with marital quality over 2 years. For women, both their own dyadic coping and that of their partner were significant predictors, whereas for men only their own dyadic coping was predictive. The results are discussed with regard to prevention of marital distress.

Prior research has identified associations between alexithymia, psychological symptoms, marital functioning and life satisfaction. However, less is known about the specific dynamics in the interplay of these associations, and other research suggests that such associations may differ depending on gender. The goal of this study is to investigate gender specific associations between alexithymia, symptoms of anxiety/depression, life satisfaction, and dyadic coping in a sample of 112 heterosexual couples. Using path analyses and extended applications of the actor–partner-independence model (APIM), results revealed significant associations between alexithymia, dyad-ic coping, and symptoms of anxiety/depression, as well as between dyadic coping and life satisfaction for women and for men. For women, the association between symptoms of anxiety/depression and dyadic coping was mediated by alexithymia. For men the association between alexithymia and dyadic coping was mediated by anxiety/ depression. The study highlights the interplay between alexithymia, symptoms of anxiety/depression, life satisfaction , and dyadic coping, and suggests that men and women may show different patterns of association.

Dyadic coping has repeatedly been associated with positive outcomes in intimate relationships. However, less is known about the prospective predictors of dyadic coping. This study investigates clarity of other's feelings (CoF) as a potential predictor of supportive dyadic coping in a longitudinal study. In a sample of 368 couples, self-reported CoF and supportive dyadic coping perceived by the partner were assessed annually over 3 years. Results revealed that interpersonal differences in men and women's CoF are positively associated with interpersonal differences in supportive dyadic coping. Moreover, interpersonal differences in men's CoF predicted long-term intrapersonal changes in supportive dyadic coping of both partners. Couple intervention programs might strengthen couple's dyadic coping skills by targeting men's understanding of their partner's feelings.

Previous research suggests that neuroendocrine mechanisms underlie inter-individual stress coping in couples. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT), while regulating stresssensitive HPA-axis activity might be crucial in this process. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dyadic coping abilities and OT on HPA-axis outcomes and constructive behavior during couple conflict. We conducted a secondary analysis of our previous database (Ditzen et al., 2009), assessing the modulating role of dyadic coping and intranasal OT on couple conflict behavior. The data revealed a significant interaction effect of the dyadic coping by oneself score and OT on cortisol responses during couple conflict, suggesting that particularly individuals with low a priori dyadic coping benefit from OT in terms of dampened HPA-activity. The results are in line with previous research suggesting OT's central role for stress regulation and prosocial behavior. Furthermore, an interaction with dyadic coping indicates adaptations in the sensitivity of the OT system during the individual attachment and relationship history. These data add to the evidence that the neuroendocrine attachment systems influence couple behavior. Future studies of neurobiological mechanisms underlying dyadic coping will be of high relevance for the development of prevention and intervention programs.

Managing cardiac illness is not easy because it dramatically disrupts people's daily life and both the patient and his/her spouse are at risk for experiencing distress, which, in turn, may affect the support provided by the partner as caregiver. The partner, in fact, is the main source of support, but his/her support may sometimes be inadequate. In addition, dyadic coping (i.e., the way partners cope together against stress and support each other in times of difficulty) could likely be a moderating factor. The main aim of the present study was to examine the role that dyadic coping (DC, in terms of positive, negative, and common dyadic coping responses) plays in moderating the link between patient and partner cardiac illness-related distress (in terms of anxiety and depression) and partner support (in terms of overprotection, hostility, and partner support for patient engagement). The study included 100 married couples faced with cardiac illness who completed a self-report questionnaire. We analyzed our data in PROCESS using multiple regressions in order to assess the moderating effects of DC responses in the relationship between the couple's cardiac illness-related distress and partner support. With regard to patient distress, results showed that higher levels of patient anxiety and depression were linked with ineffective partner support (i.e., overprotection and hostility). With regard to partner distress, higher levels of partner depression were linked with hostility; higher levels of partner depression and anxiety were associated with less partner support for patient engagement. Moreover, the association between distress and partner support was moderated by the quality of DC. In particular, low positive DC represented a risk factor for both the patient and the partner during a cardiac illness, as low positive DC exacerbated the link between patient and partner distress and less effective partner support styles. Also, higher levels of negative DC were risky for couples: The association between distress and less adequate partner supportive behaviors was stronger in the case of higher negative DC. These results imply a need for psychosocial interventions for couples in cardiac illness, especially for couples lacking relational competences, such as positive dyadic coping.

In adult couples, stress emerging outside the relationship (extra-dyadic stress) spills over into the relationship evoking conflict between the partners (intra-dyadic stress), which itself has a negative effect on relationship satisfaction over time. This detrimental effect of stress spillover can be buffered by adequate dyadic coping (DC) skills of both partners. The current study aimed at replicating these effects in a sample of 96 Swiss adult couples and 124 Swiss late adolescent (non-cohabitating) couples, who were in a serious relationship for at least 1 year. We examined (a) whether extra-dyadic stress is associated with intra-dyadic stress and relationship satisfaction and (b) whether the potential buf-fering effect of DC on these associations already exists in this important developmental phase. Contrary to the adult sample, for which indirect actor and partner effects were significant, we found a marginally significantly negative indirect actor effect of extra-dyadic stress on relationship satisfaction via intra-dyadic stress in late adolescents only for participants experiencing high extra-dyadic stress and low support from the partner. DC moderated the spillover between extra-dyadic and intra-dyadic stress for late adolescents. This study highlights the importance of investigating dyadic processes in romantic relationships in late adolescence to gain an insight into these relationships and the associated developmental processes.

Background and aims: Pain is not merely an isolated experience occurring within the person. It takes place in a wider social context, including the immediate social relationships that the person is a part of. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of how intercouple interactions might influence pain coping in couples coping with chronic pain.

Methods: Four different approaches to understanding the influence of intercouple interactions have been proposed in the literature. In this review, we present and discuss the empirical support for each of these models. A literature search on all studies published up until May 2017 (PubMed and PsycINFO) was performed. The search string consisted of 3 steps: Chronic pain AND couple
interaction*/partner validation/marital interaction/chronic pain couple*/spouse response* AND coping/ adjustment/disability/function/work participation/sick leave/sickness absence/work disability.

Results: The operant model views partner responses from the perspective of conditioned learning and focuses on how such responses might increase or decrease the occurrence of pain behaviour. The notion that partner responses can reinforce pain behaviour generally finds support in the literature. However, when it comes to negative partner responses results are mixed, and the model paints a limited picture of the range of interactions that takes place in a couple. The communal coping model focuses on one specific type of coping (i.e. catastrophizing), and emphasizes the interpersonal aspect of pain coping. There is some evidence that a tendency to catastrophize is related both to couple interactions and pain coping, but it has proved difficult to test this model empirically. The interpersonal process model of intimacy is concerned with patient disclosures of distress and subsequent validating and invalidating partner responses. There is some preliminary support that such mechanisms of validation and invalidation can be linked to pain coping. A dyadic approach focuses on processes where the couple negotiates a shared meaning of events and participates in mutual coping of a shared stressor. This approach has not been investigated explicitly, but preliminary support can be derived from studies conducted within other frameworks.

Conclusions: Each of the four approaches find some support in the research literature, yet none of them can explain the full range of couple interactions. We argue that the different approaches are complementary
and that several of the approaches can be integrated in a dyadic understanding of pain coping.

Implications: All the models indicate that couple interactions can affect pain coping and that this should
be taken into account when developing treatment programmes for chronic pain patients.

Chronically disabling health impairments affect an increasing number of people worldwide. In close relationships, disability is an interpersonal experience. Psychological distress is thus common in patients as well as their spouses. Dyadic coping can alleviate stress and promote adjustment in couples who face disabling health impairments. Much research has focused on dyadic coping with cancer. However, other health problems such as physical and sensory impairments are also common and may strongly impact couple relationships. In order to promote couples&#39; optimal adjustment to impaired health, the identification of disability-related relationship challenges is required. Furthermore, ways in which dyadic coping with these challenges may benefit couples could inform researchers and practitioners how to support couples in coping with health impairments. Accordingly, the aims of this study were to systematically review dyadic challenges and dyadic coping when one partner has a chronic...

The aims of the present study are to analyze the associations of different forms of dyadic coping (i.e., own supportive dyadic coping = OSDC; perceived supportive dyadic coping provided by the partner = PSDC; common dyadic coping = CDC) with relationship satisfaction, and to investigate whether these effects differ depending on the amount of perceived stress. In 240 couples, the different forms of dyadic coping and stress of both partners were assessed annually across 5 measurement points. Data was analyzed by dyadic multilevel models, which allow for disentangling between-person (overall, timely stable) from withinperson (yearly, time specific) variations. The results revealed that all different forms of dyadic coping enhanced overall and yearly relationship satisfaction. At the same time, relationship satisfaction depends on the amount of overall and yearly stress. Interestingly, for PSDC, we found that the more a member of the couple was supported by the partner yearly (time-specific PSDC) and the more the member was stressed overall (timely stable), the higher the member scored on relationship satisfaction. For CDC, we found that yearly CDC beyond the overall level of CDC interacted with the timely stable amount of stress. Dealing together with stress and perceiving the partner as helpful were especially beneficial for relationship satisfaction. Findings highlight the importance of addressing specific forms of dyadic coping in intervention and prevention programs for couples.

Previous research suggests that neuroendocrine mechanisms underlie inter-individual stress coping in couples. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT), while regulating stresssensitive HPA-axis activity might be crucial in this process. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dyadic coping abilities and OT on HPA-axis outcomes and constructive behavior during couple conflict. We conducted a secondary analysis of our previous database (Ditzen et al., 2009), assessing the modulating role of dyadic coping and intranasal OT on couple conflict behavior. The data revealed a significant interaction effect of the dyadic coping by oneself score and OT on cortisol responses during couple conflict, suggesting that particularly individuals with low a priori dyadic coping benefit from OT in terms of dampened HPA-activity. The results are in line with previous research suggesting OT's central role for stress regulation and prosocial behavior. Furthermore, an interaction with dyadic coping indicates adaptations in the sensitivity of the OT system during the individual attachment and relationship history. These data add to the evidence that the neuroendocrine attachment systems influence couple behavior. Future studies of neurobiological mechanisms underlying dyadic coping will be of high relevance for the development of prevention and intervention programs.

Although active, responsive listening is widely assumed to be essential for well-functioning intimate relationships, the manner in which this important behavior might promote closeness remains unknown. To test the prediction that listening may be especially influential when partners disclose experiences of stress, we instructed 365 heterosexual couples to hold two 8-min conversations in which each partner discussed a stressful personal experience while the other partner was asked to respond as he or she ordinarily would. We coded expressions of stress and listening behavior at 10-s intervals during these conversations, applied actor-partner multilevel models to compute a variable capturing the covariation between one partner&#39;s stress expression and the other partner&#39;s listening behavior, and then used that variable in regression analyses to predict observed dyadic coping behaviors, self-reports of the quality of dyadic coping in general, and self-reports of relationship sati...

In adult couples, stress emerging outside the relationship (extra-dyadic stress) spills over into the relationship evoking conflict between the partners (intra-dyadic stress), which itself has a negative effect on relationship satisfaction over time. This detrimental effect of stress spillover can be buffered by adequate dyadic coping (DC) skills of both partners. The current study aimed at replicating these effects in a sample of 96 Swiss adult couples and 124 Swiss late adolescent (non-cohabitating) couples, who were in a serious relationship for at least 1 year. We examined (a) whether extra-dyadic stress is associated with intra-dyadic stress and relationship satisfaction and (b) whether the potential buffering effect of DC on these associations already exists in this important developmental phase. Contrary to the adult sample, for which indirect actor and partner effects were significant, we found a marginally significantly negative indirect actor effect of extra-dyadic stress ...

Physical illnesses and psychological disorders are typically viewed as phenomena primarily caused by sources lying in the individual, either in medical conditions (severe infections, cancer, coronary heart problems, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, etc.) or in pathological mental processes within the person (dysfunctional information processing, deficient social skills, deficient emotion-regulation skills, psychodynamic processes, etc.). Although the bio-psycho-social model of illnesses and mental disorders is commonly recognised, researchers and health professionals mostly target the biological and psychological components (both rooted in the individual). The social component, however, is less considered. Some researchers and clinicians accept its contribution to the aetiology of the condition of poor health (e.g., social stressors such as divorce, death of a significant other, chronic destructive relationship problems), and many believe in the usefulness of mobilising social support for accelerating the process of recovery. Apart from these two aspects, the social component of the bio-psycho-social model remains marginally considered. In consequence, the treatment of physical and psychological Summary Physical illnesses and psychological disorders are typically viewed as individual phenomena, with causes for the diseases lying in the organism, either in medical conditions (severe infections, cancer, coronary heart problems, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, etc.) or in pathological mental processes within the person (dysfunctional information processing, deficient social skills, deficient emotion-regulation skills, etc.). In consequence, the treatment of physical and psychological disorders is commonly individual-centered, aiming to improve health conditions within the person affected by the disease. In this article a systemic-transactional understanding of disorders is presented, where both partners are viewed as suffering from the disease but also able to engage in joint coping efforts ("we-disease"). The notion of we-disease is explained and its implications for clinical work is outlined.

We examined the interdependent, dyadic, mental health of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and their caregivers. Our aims were as follows: (1) to investigate the degree to which patients&#39; and caregivers&#39; subjective perceptions of illness severity are congruent with objective severity (i.e., medical indicators), (2) to compare patients&#39; and caregivers&#39; subjective perceptions of illness severity and cancer-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and (3) to evaluate whether subjective perceptions of illness severity are linked to patients&#39; and caregivers&#39; cancer-related PTSS. The AYA cancer patients (n = 110; ages 12-24 years; 52% male) undergoing active treatment at an outpatient clinic and their caregivers (n = 110; 97% parents; ages 24-68 years; 89% female) independently reported their PTSS and subjective illness severity. Overall, neither patients&#39; nor caregivers&#39; reports of subjective illness severity were associated with object...

We presented a modified procedure of the functional labeling technique as an educational tool. The standard labeling procedure is a persuasion strategy that consists of assigning a label to a person (e.g, trait, attitude) in order to obtain a behavior consistent with that label. Participants (N = 54) were psychology undergraduates gathered in dyads that performed a text reading exercise in a natural classroom setting. Prior to the exercise, and unlike the standard procedure, these pairs were the target of the label instead of individually addressed labels. Each pair was verbally labeled either with an approach-oriented statement (positive labeling condition) or an avoidance-oriented statement (negative labeling condition) instead of the direct verbal formulation in the standard procedure. The control group was treated as if they were in a non-interventional setting. Performance of each dyad was measured based on a grading rubric including the following dependent variables: 1. Quality of paraphrasing 2. Comprehension 3. Participation 4. Correct answers. Results revealed a robust effect of functional labeling on participants' performance for all four measures with significantly better scores obtained by the pairs labeled with a positive (i.e., approach-oriented) statement compared to the pairs labeled with a negative (i.e., avoidance-oriented) statement. The results also indicated that avoidance-oriented functional labeling has a detrimental effect on performance since pairs in this condition didn't perform better than the control pairs. This extends results of a previous study where the best performance was obtained in the attribution condition, to the case of small groups (i.e., dyads).