Couples undergoing Assisted Reproductive Techniques: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model of dyadic adjustment, attachment, and body-image avoidance. Issue 2 (28th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salcuni, Silvia; Mancinelli, Elisa; Muneratti, Anna; Grillo, Antonella; Alessi, Chiara; Guglielmino, Antonino; Finos, Livio
• Is Part Of: Health psychology open. Volume 8:Issue 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-28
• Subjects: assisted reproduction techniques -- body-image avoidance -- dyadic adjustment -- attachment -- psychological distress -- alexithymia -- actor partner interdependent model; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine and psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1177/20551029211039923
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2055-1029

Abstract

The aim is to assess the commonalities and interdependence referred to body-image avoidance among 118 couples newly introduced to first-level assisted reproductive techniques. Results showed non-clinical functioning levels, and partners showed a correlated, yet low, dyadic adjustment. The couple-effect was modeled through an Actor Partner Interdependence Model. For both partners, dyadic adjustment's actor-effect associates with body-image avoidance. Moreover, psychological symptoms' actor-effect associate to body-image avoidance, resulting significantly more influential than the partner-effect. Only for males, alexithymia's actor-effect was significant. To conclude, partners' functioning is quite specular yet not interdependent, as they do not show a couple-as-a-unit modality of functioning. Clinical implications are discussed.