Introduction: The desire to have children and form a family is for many people central for life fulfilment and the desire does not differ by sexual orientation. Due a series of societal changes during the last decade, today we see a lesbian baby boom. Planned lesbian families are a relatively new group of patients and parents in reproductive health care, yet little is known about psychological wellbeing during the transition to parenthood in these families. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to fill a gap of knowledge about the psychological aspects of undergoing treatment with donated sperm, at the time of pregnancy and during early parenthood that affect lesbian couples forming a family. Method: This is a multicentre study comprising all 7 university clinics that perform gamete donation. The study includes lesbian couples undergoing treatment with donated sperm and heterosexual couples undergoing IVF treatment with their own gametes. Participants were recruited consecutively during 2005 and 2008. 165 lesbian couples and 151 heterosexual couples participated in the study. Participants responded questionnaires at three time points (T); time point 1 (T1) at the commencement of treatment, (T2) after the first round of treatment, around 2 month after T1 and (T3) 12-18 months after first treatment when a presumptive child had reached 1 year. Data was analysed with statistical methodology. Results: Lesbian couples reported an all over high satisfaction with relationship quality, good psychological wellbeing and low parenting stress. Heterosexual couples also reported good satisfaction with relationship quality, however somewhat lower than the lesbian couples. Parenting stress in the heterosexual couples was similar to the lesbian couples. A strong association was found between high relationship satisfaction and low parenting stress. Conclusions: Lesbian couples forming a family through sperm donation treatment are satisfied with their relationships, they report a good psychological health and experiences of low parenting stress.

Introduction: The desire to have children and form a family is for many people central for life fulfilment and the desire does not differ by sexual orientation. Due a series of societal changes during the last decade, today we see a lesbian baby boom. Planned lesbian families are a relatively new group of patients and parents in reproductive health care, yet little is known about psychological wellbeing during the transition to parenthood in these families. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to fill a gap of knowledge about the psychological aspects of undergoing treatment with donated sperm, at the time of pregnancy and during early parenthood that affect lesbian couples forming a family. Method: This is a multicentre study comprising all 7 university clinics that perform gamete donation. The study includes lesbian couples undergoing treatment with donated sperm and heterosexual couples undergoing IVF treatment with their own gametes. Participants were recruited consecutively during 2005 and 2008. 165 lesbian couples and 151 heterosexual couples participated in the study. Participants responded questionnaires at three time points (T); time point 1 (T1) at the commencement of treatment, (T2) after the first round of treatment, around 2 month after T1 and (T3) 12-18 months after first treatment when a presumptive child had reached 1 year. Data was analysed with statistical methodology. Results: Lesbian couples reported an all over high satisfaction with relationship quality, good psychological wellbeing and low parenting stress. Heterosexual couples also reported good satisfaction with relationship quality, however somewhat lower than the lesbian couples. Parenting stress in the heterosexual couples was similar to the lesbian couples. A strong association was found between high relationship satisfaction and low parenting stress. Conclusions: Lesbian couples forming a family through sperm donation treatment are satisfied with their relationships, they report a good psychological health and experiences of low parenting stress. / <p>Name change: Paper 2, "Psychological health in lesbian and heterosexual couples undergoing assisted reproduction" in the list of papers has been changed to "Symptoms of anxiety and depression in lesbian couples treated with donated sperm: a descriptive study"</p>

A major concern many counselor trainees face when preparing to see their first couple-client is that of confidence because they have had little to no experience in interacting in a professional capacity with couples. Many beginning counselors experience anxiety, which can inhibit their effectiveness with clients (Scanlon & Baille, 1994). Introducing counselor trainees to a relatively non-threatening interaction with couples might reduce the initial anxiety that characterizes the neophyte counselor venturing into new clinical territory. The interaction may also enhance feelings of warmth and closeness of the couples. John Gottman's Oral History Interview (Gottman, 1999) was the protocol used in the interaction between trainee and couple. An instrument developed for this study to measure couple counseling confidence, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, 1983), and the Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships (Schaefer & Olson, 1981) were used to assess levels of counselor confidence, counselor anxiety, and couple intimacy, respectively. The confidence instrument and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were administered to 37 students who were enrolled in four graduate level introductory couple counseling classes and who interviewed couples, as well as to 34 counselor-trainees who were enrolled in five graduate level counseling courses other than couple counseling and who did not interview couples. Analyses of the quantitative data revealed no statistically significant differences in confidence between trainees who interviewed a couple and trainees who did not interview a couple. Analyses of qualitative data suggested there were differences. The Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships was administered to 67 individual couple participants who were interviewed by counselor trainees, and 35 individual couple participants who were not interviewed by counselor-trainees. Analyses of the quantitative data revealed no statistically significant differences in couples who participated in the Oral History Interview and those who did not. Analyses of qualitative data suggested there were differences. Regarding both counselor confidence and couple intimacy, future research using a larger sample size and more refined quantitative methods appears warranted.

The long-term outdoor durability of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is still a challenging issue for the large-scale commercial application of this promising photovoltaic technique. In order to study the degradation mechanism of DSSCs, ageing tests under selected accelerating conditions were carried out. The electrolyte is a crucial component of the device. The interactions between the electrolyte and other device components were unraveled during the ageing test, and this is the focus of this thesis. The dynamics and the underlying effects of these interactions on the DSSC performance were studied. Co(bpy)32+/3+-mediated solar cells sensitized by triphenylamine-based organic dyes are systems of main interest. The changes with respect to the configuration of both labile Co(bpy)32+ and apparently inert Co(bpy)33+ redox complexes under different ageing conditions have been characterized, emphasizing the ligand exchange problem due to the addition of Lewis-base-type electrolyte additives and the unavoidable presence of oxygen. Both beneficial and adverse effects on the DSSC performance have been separately discussed in the short-term and long-term ageing tests. The stability of dye molecules adsorbed on the TiO2 surface and dissolved in the electrolyte has been studied by monitoring the spectral change of the dye, revealing the crucial effect of cation-based additives and the cation-dependent stability of the device photovoltage. The dye/TiO2 interfacial electron transfer kinetics were compared for the bithiophene-linked dyes before and after ageing in the presence of Lewis base additives; the observed change being related to the light-promoted and Lewis-base-assisted performance enhancement. The effect of electrolyte co-additives on passivating the counter electrode was also observed. The final chapter shows the effect of electrolyte composition on the electrolyte diffusion limitation from the perspectives of cation additive options, cation concentration and solvent additives respectively. Based on a comprehensive analysis, suggestions have been made regarding lithium-ion-free and polymer-in-salt strategies, and also regarding cobalt complex degradation and the crucial role of Lewis base additives. The fundamental studies contribute to the understanding of DSSC chemistry and provide a guideline towards achieving efficient and stable DSSCs. / <p>QC 20160517</p>

<p style="text-align: justify;">U doktorskoj disertaciji je razmatran uticaj čvrstih čestica<br />mirkonskih razmera na kritične radne performanse kontaktnog para<br />klip-cilindar kao tipa kontakta koji je najzastupljeniji u hidrauličkim<br />komponentama. Prema konceptualnom modelu je izvedena<br />eksperimentalna instalacija na kojoj, za različite koncentracije<br />čvrstih čestica i određeni broj radnih ciklusa je ispitivan<br />intenzitet habanja, pad pritiska i veličina zapreminskih gubitaka<br />proticanja kroz zazor. Nad skupom prikupljenih eksperimentalnih<br />podataka je izvršena analiza i modelovanje funkcija koje opisuju<br />ponašanje posmatranih veličina.</p> / <p>This doctoral dissertation analyzes the influence of microscale solid particles<br />on the the critical operational performances of the most common type of<br />tribo-couples in power hydraulic components. According to the conceptual<br />model, experimental installation was made. For different solid particles<br />concentration levels and predefined number of working cycles, experimental<br />installation was used to examine intensity of wear, pressure drop and<br />volumetric efficiency &ndash; fluid loss trough the clearance. On the basis of<br />experimental data set was carried out analysis and modeling of functions that<br />describe the behavior of the observed parameters.</p>

The purpose of this study is to examine domestic violence as it occurs in same-sex male relationships. Data were collected by in-depth interviews with twenty-five gay males, who were between the ages of 23 and 43, and who had previous experience being in a homosexual relationship where domestic violence was present. The major findings of this study include the respondents': 1) definitions of domestic violence and abuse; 2) the type of domestic violence or abuse personally experienced; and 3) reasons they believe domestic violence or abuse occurs in these types of relationships. This study illustrates the need for further research in this area of domestic violence and for programs or services targeted for this specific population.

The problem of this study was to determine if the sex role identification, age, education, and income of employed married couples were related to their perception of who should and does perform household tasks. The forty-five couples were volunteers from organizations for working women. Each spouse completed a Bem Sex Role Inventory and a Household Task Inventory. Using Chi-square and t-tests no significant differences were found between sex role identification, education level, income level, and the sharing of household tasks. When a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used, age and sharing of household tasks were found to have an inverse relationship with the young sharing more tasks. The study concluded that couples expect household tasks to be shared but females tend to perform the traditional feminine tasks and males the traditional masculine tasks.

Unintended pregnancy (UP) is increasing among Latinos in the United States. Unintended pregnancy contributes to many negative consequences for infants, mothers and families. Concurrently, various factors affect Latino couples’ sexual relationship power, communication and decision making about family planning, including sexual relationship power, relationship commitment, dyadic adjustment, individual background, and cultural characteristics. Previous research has not focused on understanding the factors that affect Latino couples’ sexual relationship power, communication and sexual decision making from each partner’s perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between sexual relationship power, communication, and sexual decision making from each partner’s perspective in relationship to family planning. In a cross-sectional design, recruited were a convenience sample of 40 Latino couples whose female partners in their second/third trimester from prenatal care clinics. Almost half of the participants were Mexican (males: 48%; females: 43%). The mean ages were 28 years (males, SD:5.67) and 26.5 years old (females, SD 4.81). Sample characteristics and partner responses were compared and contrasted. Machismo, perceived relationship commitment, relationship satisfaction and perceived decision making significantly contributed to the variance in sexual relationship power among women (F(8,26) = 6.776, p < 0.001). Increasing sexual relationship power through Latina empowerment and mutual decision making has the potential to build sustainable relationships. Relationship commitment, relationship satisfactions as well as cultural values (machismo and marianismo) were also the significant predictors for most of the study key variables. Decision making conversations among couples should optimally begin before the initiation of sexual activity and continue throughout the couples’ active sexual relationship. Couples communication facilitates making known each other’s will and thoughts and helps to promote healthy reproductive and sexual lives. Findings will contribute to developing targeted interventions to decrease UP while increasing quality of life for Latino families.

Interdependence theory (Kelley & Thibaut, 1978), one of the most widely used theories in the literature on interpersonal relationships, posits that both partners in a romantic relationships play integral roles in maintaining their relationship. Based in interdependence theory, research on the investment model of commitment (Rusbult, 1980) has revealed that individuals’ greater satisfaction and investments and lower alternatives predict greater commitment to their relationships, and commitment in turn promotes a variety of relationship-maintenance behaviors. However, no past research had examined the role of partners. Across three studies, I examined the notion that partner investments would predict individuals’ commitment above and beyond their own satisfaction, investments, and alternatives. Study 1 found that higher levels of partner investments predicted higher levels of commitment within ongoing marriages. Study 2 provided experimental support by manipulating the degree to which individuals thought their romantic partners would sacrifice for their relationship. Specifically, participants told their partners would sacrifice a great deal reported higher levels of commitment than did those told their partner would sacrifice very little. Further, the perception of partner investments mediated the relationship between the partner investments prime and commitment. Study 3 was a couples study designed to examine both actual and perceived partner investments. Despite failing to provide additional support, the findings can inform designs for future dyadic research. Studies 1 and 2 provided the first evidence of partner effects in the investment model and advance the understanding of relationship functioning by demonstrating how both partners can work to strengthen each others’ commitment.

Master of Science / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Karen Myers-Bowman / As we pass the decade mark of the Global War on Terrorism, the hidden causalities, such as the long-term impact of multiple deployments on marriages, become more apparent. Military couples experiencing repeated combat-related deployments are at an increased risk for marital distress, especially relationships that exhibit negative interaction patterns. Marriage and relationship education programs have the potential to equip military couples with conflict management skills, such as positive reframing and open communication, to increase marital satisfaction. This content analysis examined three relevant marriage and relationship education resources – PREP for Strong Bonds, ScreamFree Marriage, and Marriage LINKS - presently utilized by military couples. Each marriage and relationship education program reviewed utilized similar themes found in the research literature. Results of the analysis indicate a combination of their skill sets, accompanied by a concentration on specific challenges unique to military marriages, would be more effective in improving marital satisfaction than the models as they currently stand.