Appraisal Detection Bias and Well‐Being in Close Relationships: Couples Experiencing Assisted Reproduction Treatment

Abstract

Communication between partners about each other's individual stress appraisals is considered to be pivotal for dyadic coping. So far, very little effort has been made to investigate the effects of accurate or biased detection of the partner's stress appraisals. On the basis of a dyadic stress model we predicted low appraisal detection bias among partners to be associated with better emotional well-being. Furthermore, we predicted appraisal detection bias to moderate the relationship between received support and well-being. Indicators of affect and depressive symptoms, spousal emotional support, and self-and partner-rated stress appraisals from 80 couples were assessed at two points in time during early phases of assisted reproduction treatment (in-vitro fertilisation and intracytoplasmatic sperm injection). Results indicated a protective effect of low appraisal detection bias on partners' affect. Contrary to our prediction, little or no appraisal detection bias in support-providing partners and higher emotional support were associated with an increase of depressive symptoms in support-receiving partners. These findings are discussed in light of research on stress-increasing effects of received social support.

Alone but together: Cloud‐based commensality benefits physical and mental health

“…Third, the results of Experiment 2 suggest that our third hypothesis is supported as cloud‐based commensality can effectively enhance participants' perceived quality and strength of their romantic relationships. Given the ample opportunities for communication and interaction that videoconferencing tools provide (Pramudya et al, 2022; Spence et al, 2019), the effective interpersonal interaction generated during cloud‐based commensality is likely to promote the perception of close relationships among romantic couples as previous studies have indicated that high‐quality communication between couples can enhance their close relationships by promoting perceived support and synchronization (Kienle et al, 2009; Long et al, 2021). It should be noted that the influence of one‐time cloud‐based commensality on close relationships in this study may be limited to a short‐term effect, as the fundamental change in romantic relationships often relies on frequent communication.…”

“…Videoconferencing tools supporting cloud‐based commensality have been shown to offer ample opportunities for communication (Pramudya et al, 2022; Spence et al, 2019). Moreover, a high quality of communication between couples can promote their close relationship by fostering perceived support and synchronization (Kienle et al, 2009; Long et al, 2021). Therefore, it is plausible that cloud‐based commensality can also facilitate the development of close relationships between romantic couples (H3).…”

The Berlin Social Support Scales: Validation of the Received Support Scale in a Canadian sample of patients affected by melanoma

“…Despite having been initially developed and validated on an adult sample of cancer patients and their intimate partners (Schulz and Schwarzer, 2003), the BSSS has been successfully utilized to examine partner support in a variety of health-related contexts. Specifically, the BSSS has been utilized in research pertaining to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), fertility and perinatal research, health behaviour adherence, cancer research (Brondino et al, 2013; Gottlieb et al, 2014; Kienle et al, 2009; Luszczynska et al, 2005, 2007) and in psychological contexts such as stress and resilience (Testa et al, 2015). Not only have these scales been used in a variety of languages (including French; Acquadro et al, 2008) and contexts worldwide, research suggests that they have strong internal consistency (e.g.…”

Manifestation and Associated Factors of Pregnancy-Related Worries in Expectant Fathers

“…Items are rated on a scale from 1 to 4, with a higher score indicating higher perceived social support. Originally designed for and validated in cancer surgery patients, the BSSS is used beyond this scope, including prenatal research (120,121). Eight items assess the amount of perceived emotional (e.g., "There is always someone there for me when I need comforting") and instrumental (e.g., "There are people who offer me help when I need it") social support.…”