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Individuals high in social anxiety report higher interpersonal dependency (e.g., Darcy et al., 2005), lower satisfaction with their sexual communication with their intimate partners (Montesi et al., 2009), less self-disclosure (e.g., Sparrevohn & Rapee, 2009), and less emotional expression (e.g., Spokas et al., 2009) than non-anxious individuals. In comparison to non-anxious individuals, socially anxious individuals also report lower satisfaction with various aspects of their intimate relationships including lower sexual satisfaction (Bodinger et al., 2002), less social and emotional intimacy (Schneier et al., 1994), and lower overall relationship quality (Sparrevohn & Rapee, 2009). The primary aim of the present investigation was to better understand the lack of satisfaction and fulfillment reported by socially anxious individuals in intimate relationships. Data were collected from 135 undergraduate students in committed, heterosexual, monogamous, sexually active partnerships of at least three months duration. Structural equation modeling was used to examine variations of a partially latent structural regression model in which higher social anxiety and higher interpersonal dependency were predictive of higher sexual communication reluctance and, in turn, lower overall relationship satisfaction and higher sexual dissatisfaction. Based on an examination of overall model fit statistics, chi square difference statistics, parameter coefficients, and correlation residuals, two models (one including fear of damaging the relationship and one without this variable) were retained. Both of the retained models, which included direct paths from social anxiety to satisfaction in addition to indirect paths from social anxiety and interpersonal dependency to the outcome satisfaction variables, had excellent fit (Model 1D:X²M=3.48,df=8,p=.90,RMSEA=0.00,CFI=1.00; Model 2D: X²M =15.07,df=14,p=.3, RMSEA=0.02,CFI=0.99). Exploratory hypotheses were examined. Results are discussed in terms of the benefits of open communication between intimate partners about specific areas of the sexual relationship (e.g., sexual fantasies). Future directions of study are proposed. / Psychology

The objective of this dissertation was to explore the experiences and perspectives of men who have had bariatric surgery. The researcher specifically explored life after bariatric surgery, with a focus on men's perspectives of self-concept, intimate relationships, and social support. Phenomenology was utilized and the researcher conducted 60-90 minute interviews with men who had bariatric surgery in the previous five years, were over the age of 25, were at least six months post-surgery at the time of the study, had been in at least one intimate or committed relationship after surgery, and resided in the United States. Symbolic interactionism and family systems theory were used to guide the study. Five themes emerged in the study which included: (1) a shift in identity construction; (2) enhanced relationship experiences; (3) increased intimacy; (4) fluidity of informal social supports; and (5) mental health services. The study included a rich description of the phenomenon, critical analysis, a discussion of the theoretical model, and discussion of clinical implications for marriage and family therapists. / Ph. D.

The present exploration of perceptual accuracy and bias in romantic relationships bridges a gap in the literature on the ability of partners to estimate one another’s level of relational and sexual satisfaction, and its impact on their own and their partner’s level of satisfaction. A sample of 50 couples, recruited internationally, in continuously monogamous relationships of at least six-months in length completed online assessments of their relationship. The degree of accuracy and bias of their perception was established by comparing actor’s estimates of their partner’s satisfaction with the partner’s actual, self-reported satisfaction scores. The actor-partner interdependence model (APIM; Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006) revealed significant partner effects (but no actor effects): the underestimation of perceived partner’s sexual and relational satisfaction predicted an increase in partner’s actual sexual and relational satisfaction. Overestimation of partner’s satisfaction, on the other hand, predicted a decrease in partner’s actual satisfaction. Authors hypothesize that under-perception of partner’s satisfaction motivates corrective relationship behaviors, which, in turn, increases the experience of satisfaction of the relationship partner.