A Dyadic Perspective on Childhood Maltreatment for Women With Provoked Vestibulodynia and Their Partners: Associations With Pain and Sexual and Psychosocial Functioning

Childhood maltreatment is robustly associated with adult-onset vulvodynia, a common form of female genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder. However, little is known about the impact of childhood maltreatment on current sexual, psychological, and relationship adaptation for couples with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD). This study examined the associations between childhood maltreatment and sexual and psychosocial functioning and pain in women with PVD, the most common subtype of vulvodynia, and their partners. A total of 49 couples (M_age women = 27.80, SD = 6.05; M_age men = 30.04; SD = 6.48) with PVD completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), as well as measures of sexual functioning, couple satisfaction, and anxiety. Women also reported on their pain during intercourse. Analyses were guided by the actor–partner interdependence model. Women’s higher reports of childhood maltreatment were associated with their lower sexual functioning and higher anxiety. Partners’ higher reports of childhood maltreatment were associated with their lower sexual functioning, lower couple satisfaction, and higher anxiety, as well as women’s lower couple satisfaction and higher anxiety. Both women’s and partners’ higher reports of childhood maltreatment were associated with higher affective pain for women. Findings suggest childhood maltreatment experienced by women with PVD and their partners should be considered as part of treatment planning.     

Geographies in the American DeafWorld as institutional constructions of the deaf body in space: the sensescape model

Space is a site where culture and body meet. It is a physical text of cultural constructions of the body that articulate personal, social and material functions and arrangements. The American DeafWorld consists of spaces where deaf and hard of hearing people are found. The geographies in the DeafWorld are the sites where different institutions create and imprint their ideologies, practices and properties pertaining to their sensory notions of the deaf body onto brick-and-mortar spaces in the DeafWorld. Sensescape is proffered as a theoretical model to describe DeafWorld institutional geographies.     

A National Survey of Family Physicians: Perspectives on Collaboration With Marriage and Family Therapists

Recognizing the fit between family medicine and marriage and family therapy (MFT), members of both fields have made significant advances in collaborative health research and practice. To add to this work, we surveyed a nationwide random sample of 240 family physicians (FPs) and asked about their perspectives and experiences of collaboration with MFTs. We found that FPs frequently perceive a need for their patients to receive MFT-related care, but their referral to and collaboration with MFTs were limited. Through responses to an open-ended question, we gained valuable information as to how MFTs could more effectively initiate collaboration with FPs.     

Population Research Briefs in Population Research and Policy Review

Population Research and Policy Review - This editorial is aimed at promoting the new series of Research Briefs in Population Research and Policy Review. These shorter, more data-centric articles...     

Marriage and family therapist interns' experiences of growth

Few studies have investigated therapist interns' growth experiences, both personal and professional, and the interplay between them. This qualitative study explored the reciprocal process of growth during clinical training: the personal life experiences that affect professional growth and the professional/clinical experiences that affect personal growth. Thirteen marriage and family therapist interns, using Internet discussion formats, identified numerous personal, clinical, and professional growth experiences. Implications of this study, illustrating the recursive and interactive flow between therapists' personal and professional growth, are presented.