The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) on marital relationships. MCI refers to age-related decline in memory and other cognitive processes that do not necessarily interfere with daily activities or the maintenance of social relationships with others (Petersen et al., 1999). Using social exchange theory as the theoretical framework to guide this qualitative study, aspects of the marital relationship explored from the nonimpaired spouses’ perspective were couple interaction, intimacy, and the division of household labor. In-depth interviews were conducted with five husbands and five wives (M age = 76.6 yrs., S.D. = 6.64). Open-ended interview questions that focus on issues specific to the marital relationship included: (a) range of activities participated in as a couple, (b) ways of showing care or affection toward one another, and (e) management of everyday life. In addition to participating in the semi-structured interviews, the spouses completed three standardized scales (e.g., Revised Memory & Behavior Problems Checklist, Zarit Burden Interview, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale). Their responses to these measures provided information about the memory and behavioral changes of the elder as it related to the outcomes for and responses of the spouse. Spouses noted both change and stability within their marriages. They expressed “mixed emotions” concerning the influence of MCI on both them as individuals and on their relationship. Husbands’ responses focused on the negative relationship outcomes (e.g., frustration, stress) associated with caring for a spouse with memory loss; however, wives reported higher levels of burden and depression on the standardized measures than did the husbands. Gender differences were found regarding how husbands and wives view their roles in context to the caregiving situation, as well as how they adapt and cope. Longitudinal research is needed to examine the changes in the dynamics of these late-life marital relationships over time. / Master of Science

Submitted by Ana Carla Almeida (ana.almeida@ucsal.br) on 2016-11-16T12:57:23Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Mirna 13 revisado entrega revisado (2).pdf: 607671 bytes, checksum: ba5949376485608fdf074fd539f865ca (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rosemary Magalhães (rosemary.magalhaes@ucsal.br) on 2017-01-13T14:32:10Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Mirna 13 revisado entrega revisado (2).pdf: 607671 bytes, checksum: ba5949376485608fdf074fd539f865ca (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-13T14:32:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Mirna 13 revisado entrega revisado (2).pdf: 607671 bytes, checksum: ba5949376485608fdf074fd539f865ca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-12-19 / O presente estudo caracteriza e analisa a história de casais que apresentam diagnóstico de disfunção sexual masculina. Parte-se da hipótese de que a satisfação conjugal, avaliada a partir de uma perspectiva individual, não é suficiente para revelar os processos desses casais, pois a observação revela que não obstante as queixas de insatisfação sexual a união entre eles fica preservada uma vez que os casais valorizam o amor, afeto e desenvolvimento de afinidades entre os cônjuges ao longo do casamento. Foram entrevistados quatro pares, encaminhados por profissionais da área de saúde para acompanhamento psicoterápico com a pesquisadora com enfoque sexual. Eles foram selecionados com base nos seguintes critérios de inclusão: casais de dupla carreira; união heterossexual; diagnóstico de disfunção masculina; relacionamento com cerca de dez anos de existência; de filhos; nível socioeducacional médio. Aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, o estudo observou os requisitos da pesquisa com seres humanos. As entrevistas em profundidade seguiram um temário construído especialmente para essa investigação, que contempla categorias sistêmicas que visam reconstituir a história do casal, a história do casamento, a história sexual e perspectivas para o futuro. As categorias são: eventos críticos, conflitos, estratégias para divisão de tarefas, significados do casal sobre satisfação conjugal e satisfação sexual. Os conteúdos produzidos por cada casal foram analisados com base nessas categorias e os resultados foram discutidos com base a visão masculina e feminina em relação à temática, fazendo uma análise comparativa dos dados obtidos com a literatura nacional e internacional. / The present essay describes and the history of marital couples analyzes who have a diagnosis of male sexual dysfunction. It starts with the hypothesis that marital satisfaction, ]assessed from an individual perspective, is not enough to reveal the processes of these couples, because observation reveals that despite the complaints of sexual dissatisfaction marriage between them is preserved as other circunstances, such as love,.affection andaffinities, play a significant role in presening the marital status. In order to explore the dynamics of marital couples, four pairs were interviewed according to the following inclusion criteria: dual-career couples; heterosexual union; Diagnosis of male dysfunction; relationship with about ten years of existence; of children; middle social and educational level. Approved by the ethics committee for research the study strictly observed the requirements of human research. The depth interviews occurred from an agenda specially created for this research; the agenda includes systemic categories that aim to reconstruct the history of the couple, history of marriage, sexual history and future prospects. These categories are: mutual concept of marital and sexual satisfaction. The results were analyzed based on these categories and were discussed from both, male and female vision of the theme by making an investigative analysis of data obtained from the national and international literature.

Sammanfattning Denna C-uppsats är gjord vid Karlstads universitet, Sociologi III. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur interaktionen mellan kommunikation och konflikt uppfattas av makar, i ett långvarigt äktenskap. Den metod som använts har varit en induktiv, kvalitativ studie med semistrukturerad intervju och en deskriptiv ansats. Urvalet är ett strategiskt bekvämlighetsurval med makar i ett långvarigt äktenskap, som har minst ett gemensamt barn över 18 år. Intervjuer har spelats in, transkriberats, kodats och analyserats.De valda teorier som använts är uppdelat i tre huvuddelar, socialpsykologiska aspekter och begrepp, konsekvenser av konflikt samt kommunikation. Studien beskriver hur den interpersonella kommunikationen pågår mellan människor vilken är grundläggande för möten människor emellan. Med hjälp av beskrivningen av den interpersonella kommunikationen belyses också hur genus verkar som en interaktiv process i äktenskapet.I uppsatsens huvudresultat finns en diskussion kring informanternas förståelse för kommunikation, och vad som i äktenskapet kan leda till konflikt. Vidare beskrivs vikten av att ha ett vardagssamtal pågående i äktenskapet. Huvudresultatet av studien är en diskrepans mellan hur informanterna uppfattar ett fenomen i teorin, och sedan behandlar det i praktiken. / This Bachelor’s thesis is written at Karlstad University, Sociology III. The aim of the thesis is to investigate how interaction between communication and conflict is interpreted in a long-term marriage. In order to achieve this, we have studied the communication models the informants use to reach one another as well as how they use communication to prevent conflict during conflict management. We also asked questions regarding which methods the informants use to communicate in matters relating to gender equality.The method used in the thesis is a qualitative study with a semi structured interview and a descriptive approach. We have used a strategic selection of convenience where the spouses live in a long-term marriage and have at least one common child who is over the age of 18. These interviews have been recorded, transcribed, coded and analyzed. The theories have been devided into three main parts which are: social psychological aspects and concepts, consequences of conflict and communication.This thesis describes how different communication models and pitfalls can occur in a marriage. The ongoing interpersonal communication between humans that is fundamental for human encounters is illustrated through a gender perspective.The main result found in the thesis contains a discussion regarding the informants´ comprehensions of communication and which factors in a marriage that can create conflicts. Furthermore, the importance of having daily conversations in a marriage is described. The analysis discusses the difference between theoretical understanding of equality and practical action based on a person’s understanding.

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2016-11-17T11:24:56Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Ana Paula Gomes De Oliveira.pdf: 1430620 bytes, checksum: 324a771b8afcad67e86a0dcb77e7d5e5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-17T11:24:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ana Paula Gomes De Oliveira.pdf: 1430620 bytes, checksum: 324a771b8afcad67e86a0dcb77e7d5e5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Aging has been drawing attention from governments and significant portions of society. This is a consequence of the increase of the elderly population and it has implications for the structures of the social, economic and cultural relations. This matter is challenging because it makes visible the different aspects of longevity. Consequently, the focus is on chronic degenerative diseases, as they are primarily related to many more years of life. In Brazil, women who take care of their husbands are not visible to the statistics. The reality is that there is an increase in cases of spouse care related to dementia. This work focus on that scenario. In the present study, elder subject requires caregivers caused by some degree of dependence on their daily activities. We will carry out a case study, with a previously chosen subject, trying to bring out the behaviors, perceptions and feelings of the caregiver spouse. We will study about these complex aspects of the relationship, particularly in the situation of a long-term marriage. That strong links are essential in the care of an elderly person, and may provide a basis for follow-up in cases where there is the presence of family caregivers. It is also noted the importance of psychological support to family caregivers and professional caregivers, considering the emotional aspects as necessary to a note that should take into account the possibility of human suffering in any scenario / O envelhecimento vem chamando atenção de governos e de significativas parcelas da sociedade. Isso decorre do aumento da população idosa e das implicações na estrutura das relações sociais, econômicas e culturais. O tema passa a ser desafiador, inclusive, por tornar visíveis aspectos da longevidade. Como consequência, holofotes se voltaram para as doenças crônico-degenerativas, prioritariamente relacionadas aos muitos mais anos vividos. No Brasil, mulheres que cuidam dos maridos passam como invisíveis às estatísticas. Cada vez mais, torna-se uma realidade um cuidador cônjuge acompanhar um quadro demencial. O presente trabalho visou esse cenário. O idoso do estudo aqui proposto necessita de cuidadores por possuir algum grau de dependência nas suas atividades cotidianas. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, com sujeito previamente escolhido, que traz à tona as condutas, percepções e sentimentos do cuidador cônjuge. Discorrer-se-á sobre esses complexos aspectos da relação, especificamente na situação de um matrimônio de longa duração. Pode-se afirmar que os laços fortes são fundamentais no cuidado a uma pessoa idosa, podendo dar base para um acompanhamento nos casos em que não há a presença de cuidador familiar. Nota-se também a importância de apoios psicológicos aos cuidadores familiares e aos cuidadores profissionais, considerando os aspectos emocionais tão necessários a uma atenção que deve levar em conta a possibilidade de existência de sofrimento humano, em qualquer cenário