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Relvas AP, Portugal A, Lacomba-Trejo L, Major S, Sotero L, Agostinho R, Moreira M, Randall AK. One year of COVID-19: A longitudinal study of individual and relational factors of psychological adjustment of individuals living in a romantic relationship in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY 2024. [PMID: 39188026 DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
This longitudinal study explored the impact of COVID-19 on individuals in romantic relationships. The sample spans three waves: first confinement (n = 52), deconfinement (n = 49), and second confinement (n = 26). The study tested sociodemographic factors, psychological adjustment (anxiety, depression, stress, well-being), COVID-19 threat perception, dyadic coping, and relationship quality. Results from repeated measures ANOVA and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) models revealed a decline in anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms, coupled with improved relationship quality over time. Well-being and dyadic coping remained stable, while COVID-19 threat perception increased. QCA models emphasized the predictive power of initial mental states (anxiety, depression, stress, and well-being at W1) on subsequent adjustment. Notably, shorter relationship duration, healthcare worker status, and not having children, when combined with prior mental states, explained increased symptoms and diminished well-being. The study underscores the significance of addressing these factors in individuals navigating romantic relationships during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Relvas
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alda Portugal
- Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Laura Lacomba-Trejo
- Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy, Universitat de València, València, Spain
| | - Sofia Major
- Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Azores, Ponta Delgada, Portugal
- Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luciana Sotero
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rafaela Agostinho
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marta Moreira
- Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ashley K Randall
- School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
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Algarin AB, Salerno JP, Shrader CH, Lee JY, Fish JN. Associations between living arrangement and sexual and gender minority stressors among university students since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024; 72:1379-1386. [PMID: 35658096 PMCID: PMC9718887 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2076560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the associations between COVID-19-related living arrangements and sexual and gender minority (SGM)-related stressors (ie, identity concealment and familial rejection). PARTICIPANTS N = 478 SGM university students (Mage = 22 years, SD = 4.00). METHODS SGM university students were surveyed cross-sectionally between May and August 2020 regarding SGM-related stressors and living arrangements since the start of COVID-19. RESULTS Approximately half (48.7%) of the sample reported a living rearrangement to their parents' home due to COVID-19. Living rearrangement to parents' homes was associated with an increased degree of identity concealment (β [95% C.I.] = 0.62 [0.10, 1.15]; p = .020) and familial rejection (β [95% C.I.] = 1.56 [0.72, 2.41]; p < .001) since the start of COVID-19 compared to stably living without parents (34.3%). Stably living with parents (17.0%) was not associated with increased degree of SGM-related stressors compared to experiencing a living rearrangement. CONCLUSIONS Stakeholders must consider the unique identity-related vulnerabilities of SGM students living with parents and who experience living rearrangements due to COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel B Algarin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John P Salerno
- Department of Behavioral & Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Cho-Hee Shrader
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health
| | - Ji-Young Lee
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan USA
| | - Jessica N Fish
- Department of Family Science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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3
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Manão AA, Pascoal PM. Body Dissatisfaction, Cognitive Distraction, and Sexual Satisfaction in a Sample of LGB+ People: A Mediation Study Framed by Cognitive Psychology Models of Sexual Response. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2930. [PMID: 37998422 PMCID: PMC10671832 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11222930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Body dissatisfaction is a well-established risk factor for emotional problems and low levels of well-being indicators, such as sexual health. Cognitive models propose that dissatisfaction with one's body can cause cognitive distraction related to physical appearance during sexual activity. This may compromise sexual response, namely, sexual satisfaction in heterosexual cis women. However, this relationship has only been studied within heterosexual samples. The present study aims to test a mediation model using cognitive distraction related to body appearance during sexual activity as a mediator between body dissatisfaction and sexual satisfaction in LGB+ cis people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other minority sexual orientations). Methods: This cross-sectional online study comprised 165 cisgender LGB+ participants (n = 67 cis women, 40.6%; n = 98 cis men, 59.4%). Self-report questionnaires were used: the Global Body Dissatisfaction Scale, the Body Appearance Distraction Scale, and a Single-Item Measure of Sexual Satisfaction. Results: Cis women and cis men experience similar levels of body dissatisfaction, cognitive distraction with body appearance during sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction. Body appearance cognitive distraction during sexual activity mediated the relationship between body dissatisfaction and sexual satisfaction only in the men's sample. Discussion: Overall, in terms of gender and body dissatisfaction, our results reveal a reversed pattern than those found in heterosexual samples. This may be because LGB+ cis women may conform less to societal pressure, leading to less meaning given to body dissatisfaction in relation to sexuality, which may lead to more positive sexual outcomes. Likewise, LGB+ cis men present higher body dissatisfaction and experience lower sexual satisfaction, possibly due to the emphasis on physical appearance in the gay subculture. The results confirm the validity of cognitive models of sexual response.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrícia M. Pascoal
- HEI-Lab: Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal;
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Manão AA, Martins E, Pascoal PM. What Sexual Problems Does a Sample of LGB+ People Report Having, and How Do They Define Sexual Pleasure: A Qualitative Study to Inform Clinical Practice. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2856. [PMID: 37958001 PMCID: PMC10648806 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11212856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Sexual pleasure is a human right and a central aspect of human sexuality that contributes significantly to people's overall well-being, making it an essential element to consider in clinical settings. This study aims to expand the understanding of sexual pleasure by examining how LGB+ people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other minority sexual orientations)-who perceived having a sexual problem-define solitary and partnered sexual pleasure. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory qualitative study was conducted online. The current study included 85 people who self-identified as LGB+ and reported experiencing a sexual problem. Data analysis was performed using summative content analysis. Results: The results for solitary sexual pleasure comprised the creation of 5 categories (Enhancing the relationship with oneself, Specification of solitary pleasure, Negative experience, Unrestrained experience and A goal). For partnered sexual pleasure, 9 categories were created (The perks of being with another, Openness to experience, A result of sexual techniques, Psychophysiological experience, Misconceptions about sexual pleasure, Absence of intrapersonal constraints, Undesirable feelings, Explicit consent, and Absence of interpersonal constraints). Discussion: Despite reporting sexual problems, most participants reported having experienced sexual pleasure, and were able to define it. This study provided a deeper understanding of the perspectives on and experiences of sexuality among LGB+ people who experience sexual problems. Our findings highlight that current diagnostic criteria (e.g., DSM-5) do not seem to align with the problems reported by this sample population (the problems presented are beyond their sexual function). This reinforces the importance of viewing sexual problems from a perspective that goes beyond the categorial psychopathology model. Our study's findings may offer valuable insights for the evaluation and treatment of sexual problems, where sexual pleasure is considered a crucial aspect of sexual well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia A. Manão
- HEI-Lab: Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.A.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Edna Martins
- HEI-Lab: Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.A.M.); (E.M.)
| | - Patrícia M. Pascoal
- HEI-Lab: Digital Human-Environment Interaction Labs, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal; (A.A.M.); (E.M.)
- Sociedade Portuguesa de Sexologia Clínica, Rua 1° de Maio No. 2, 5300-236 Bragança, Portugal
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Siegel M, Randall AK, Lannutti PJ, Fischer MS, Gandhi Y, Lukas R, Meuwly N, Rosta-Filep O, van Stein K, Ditzen B, Martos T, Schneckenreiter C, Totenhagen CJ, Zemp M. Intimate Pride: a Tri-Nation Study on Associations between Positive Minority Identity Aspects and Relationship Quality in Sexual Minorities from German-Speaking Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY 2022; 8:1-29. [PMID: 35936990 PMCID: PMC9344453 DOI: 10.1007/s41042-022-00070-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Investigations into the intimate relationships of sexual minorities are proliferating, but often adopt a deficit-oriented and US-centered perspective. In this tri-nation online study with sexual minority participants from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland (N = 571), we (i) assessed the construct validity of the German version of a well-known measure for positive minority identity aspects (the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Positive Identity Measure; LGB-PIM), and (ii) explored associations between these aspects (self-awareness, authenticity, community, capacity for intimacy, and social justice) and self-reported relationship quality. Model fit of the German version of the LGB-PIM was deemed acceptable. Higher levels of positive minority identity aspects showed small to moderate associations with higher levels of relationship quality in bivariate analyses, but only capacity for intimacy was linked to relationship quality in higher-order models (controlling for country, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship length, and psychological distress). Results remained robust in several sensitivity analyses. Our results highlight the differential role of positive identity aspects for relationship functioning, with capacity for intimacy as a fruitful leverage point for therapeutic work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Siegel
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Ashley K. Randall
- Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | | | - Melanie S. Fischer
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital & Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yuvamathi Gandhi
- Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
| | - Raphaela Lukas
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nathalie Meuwly
- Department of Psychology, Institute for Family Research and Counseling, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | | | - Katharina van Stein
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital & Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beate Ditzen
- Institute of Medical Psychology, Heidelberg University Hospital & Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Tamás Martos
- Department of Personality, Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Casey J. Totenhagen
- Human Development and Family Studies, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, USA AL
| | - Martina Zemp
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Doyle DM, Molix L. Reconciling Associations Between Minority Stress and Sexual Minority Romantic Relationship Functioning. Front Psychol 2021; 12:707058. [PMID: 34248806 PMCID: PMC8267149 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.707058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Matthew Doyle
- Washington Singer Laboratories, Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa Molix
- Department of Psychology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
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