• Effects of a College Human Sexuality Course on Couple Relationships
  Presented by: Dayna S. Henry

• Stressors and Resilience in Couples Managing Multiple Chronic Illnesses: Does More Stress Equal Greater Resilience?
  Presented by: Brandan Wheeler, Jeremy Yorgason, Susanne Roper, Jonathan Sandberg, Kimberly Nielson, Jeffrey Bentley

• Effective Partner Support for Women With a Breast Cancer Scare
  Presented by: Daniel Ryan Zomerlei, Adrian Blow, Michael Boivin, Janet Osuch, Laura Symonds, Pam Haan, Bruno Giordani, Stephanie Smith

• Reproducing with a Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) Spouse
  Presented by: Jason D. Hans

Abstracts

Effects of a College Human Sexuality Course on Couple Relationships

Presented by: Dayna S. Henry

Prior research on the effects of sexuality education has been largely quantitative in nature and has focused on changes in individuals. This study sought to explore, qualitatively, the perceived influences of taking a human sexuality course on relationships.  Male-female couples were recruited from undergraduate sexuality classes at a university in the Midwest.  Eight couples completed a brief questionnaire and 60 minute semi-structured interviews as a couple and individually. Interviews were analyzed using critical qualitative methodologies. Couples reported changes in their overall relationship including communication and sexuality.  These findings have implications for the ways in which sexuality interventions are assessed.

Stressors and Resilience in Couples Managing Multiple Chronic Illnesses: Does More Stress Equal Greater Resilience?

Presented by: Brandan Wheeler, Jeremy Yorgason, Susanne Roper, Jonathan Sandberg, Kimberly Nielson, Jeffrey Bentley

Using qualitative interview data from 28 later-life couples where one spouse had diabetes and osteoarthritis, this study identified stressors and resilience processes related to managing multiple chronic illnesses. Stressors included limitations in daily activities, challenges in managing multiple illnesses, and psychosocial challenges. Resilience in connecting with one another, maintaining a positive outlook, and responding flexibly to illness challenges. Severity of multiple chronic illnesses and gender of the ill partner may influence perceptions of stress and resilience. In addition to describing illness-related stressors and resilience, this study contributes to the literature by addressing multiple chronic illnesses and other important contextual factors.

Effective Partner Support for Women with a Breast Cancer Scare

Presented by: Daniel Ryan Zomerlei, Adrian Blow, Michael Boivin, Janet Osuch, Laura Symonds, Pam Haan, Bruno Giordani, Stephanie Smith

The National Cancer Institute estimates that nearly 2.5 million women with a history of breast cancer currently reside in the United States. The ability to cope with breast cancer is often affected by the support received from partner relationships. This study examines types of support given by partners over the course of the first year post diagnosis. The results show three primary types of support: spiritual, practical, and emotional. The consistency and availability of each of these three types of supports was found to be directly related to both quality of life and quality of partner relationship.

Reproducing with a Persistent Vegetative State (PVS) Spouse

Presented by: Jason D. Hans

Attitudes toward the retrieval of gametes from persistent vegetative state (PVS) spouses for the purpose of procreation were examined with a sample of 849 respondents from across the United States using a multiple-segment factorial vignette. The PSV spouse's sex was a key factor that affected attitudes; retrieval was viewed more favorably when the gamete donor was a male than when the donor was a female. Respondents were about twice more likely to focus on spousal rights if they heard that a female had made the request than if they heard about a male making the same request.