I test canonical theories in the preference literature - evolutionary psychology, social role theory, and social exchange theory - using group mean comparisons to replicate basic sex differences in spouse preferences. I find that, consistent with past studies, males prefer attractiveness and females prefer resources in potential partners, and in general, we prefer partners who are similar, rather than different, to us. I also find that males who anticipate enacting the "traditional" male role of "provider" within their marriage tend to prefer spouses who would fulfill the caregiver role, compared to males who do not anticipate such "traditional" gender divisions within the family. Interestingly, females who anticipate the "traditional" caregiving role do not in turn prefer spouses who fulfill the "provider" role; they instead prefer a spouse who is family-oriented, as they themselves are. I further test four new theoretical derivations and methodological assessment techniques. First, I expand the test of social exchange theory to include a wide array of personality characteristics and find similarity between how respondents see themselves and the types of characteristics they prefer in a spouse. Second, I include an assessment of gender endorsement - how respondents see themselves in terms of characteristics we commonly associate with masculinity and femininity. Interestingly, I don't find the predicted complimentarity - that highly masculine individuals prefer highly feminine spouses and vice versa. I find instead strong homogamy effects, such that respondents with masculine self-perceptions prefer spouses who also embody those masculine traits, and respondents with feminine self-perceptions prefer spouses who also identify with feminine traits. Third, my data includes a wider age range of unmarried respondents than nearly all other preference studies, so I am able to test preference differences by age. I find that older unmarried adults are generally less "particular" in their preferences, compared to those unmarried adults still in college. Despite my predictions that age would be positively related to the desire for spouse characteristics associated with "growing up," essentially, age appears to be negatively related or unrelated to most spouse preferences. Fourth, I include factor analysis techniques that both replicate a past research study (which was pioneering for the field), and broach the possibility for latent variable assessment using a wider array of preference dimensions than have been previously considered. I find evidence of several underlying preference constructs which could, and should, be taken into account when conducting future preference studies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and continue to breastfeed throughout the first year of life and as long after as is mutually desired. Recent survey data suggests that initiation rates of breastfeeding are high; according to the CDC, 75.0 percent of children in the U.S. have been breastfed. Although initiation rates of breastfeeding are high, breastfeeding duration rates consistent are much lower; 33.0 percent of infants were exclusively breastfed at three months, and only 13.3 percent of infants were exclusively breastfed at six months. Additionally, only 22.4 percent of infants were still breastfeeding at twelve months. Social and behavioral research has identified social support received from the infant's father to be one of the most important predictors of breastfeeding initiation and duration. Although several prior studies have identified paternal attitudes and support to be important influences of breastfeeding duration, few studies have been conducted to understand the specific forms of paternal support that are most important to mothers, and the forms of paternal support that are most predictive of breastfeeding duration. Also, to the author's knowledge, this was the first study to investigate negative forms of paternal support that may discourage breastfeeding. This mixed-methods study sought to better understand the perceived forms of positive and negative paternal support for breastfeeding amongst a cohort of first-time parent couples. A longitudinal study design was utilized, in which each parent participated in an in-depth interview at four time points: prenatally, and at one, three, and six month post-partum. At each time point, mothers and fathers also completed a quantitative survey; breastfeeding intention was assessed at the prenatal period, and information about current breastfeeding status was collected at the post-natal time points. A final sample of fourteen parent couples was recruited from Champions for Children prenatal classes, and all interviews took place between June 2013 and February 2014. The quantitative portion of this study found that at one month post-partum, mothers with higher prenatal breastfeeding intention scores were more likely to still be breastfeeding (85.7%), with the largest percentage of mothers still exclusively breastfeeding (50.0%); additionally, mothers with lower prenatal breastfeeding intention scores were more likely to be exclusively formula feeding (14.3%) (p = 0.03). In general, mothers with higher prenatal breastfeeding intention scores also identified more types of positive paternal support for breastfeeding; however, the only association found to be statistically significant was appraisal support (p=0.03). For the qualitative portion of this study, expectant mothers and fathers identified forms of paternal support that they perceived to be either positively or negatively supportive of breastfeeding. More often than any other type of positive support, mothers and fathers mentioned a father providing instrumental support as helpful to sustain breastfeeding, and at the post-natal time points, almost every mother identified help with household chores as being the support they receive most often which helps them to sustain breastfeeding. Whereas mothers mentioned instrumental support most often when asked to identify forms of paternal support for breastfeeding, after delivery mothers indicated that emotional support was truly most valuable; almost every mother identified words of encouragement and motivation as being the support they receive from their partner that is most important, and which helps to sustain breastfeeding. At the post-natal time-points very few mothers or fathers identified any forms of negative support actually received from their partner; mothers and fathers instead elaborated on examples of support that they perceived as negative for a mother to receive from her partner including failure to provide positive support, indifference to infant feeding method, a negative attitude towards breastfeeding or preference for formula, and negative or discouraging comments. At the post-natal time points, the majority of mothers perceived a father being verbally negative about breastfeeding as the worst form of negative support for breastfeeding. This study primarily used qualitative methods to gather rich, in-depth personal accounts of first-time mothers' and first-time fathers' perceptions of paternal support for breastfeeding. This provided valuable insight and allowed for an emic perspective of the participants' personal experiences which led to a more in-depth understanding of the specific forms of paternal support most important to mothers. Unlike previous studies conducted to better understand paternal support for breastfeeding, this study utilized a longitudinal design which allowed for the collection of data at four time points, both pre- and post-natal. A longitudinal design strengthened this study as perceived forms of paternal support were compared at different time points, and shifts in perceptions over time amongst mothers and fathers were captured. This study contributes new knowledge to the field of breastfeeding promotion regarding the specific forms of paternal support that mothers and fathers perceive as positive or negative of breastfeeding. It is imperative to improve our understanding of the precise forms of paternal support which are most positively associated with breastfeeding exclusivity and duration, so that future efforts to increase positive paternal support and decrease negative paternal support are most effective. The findings of this study can be used to help engage fathers in the breastfeeding process, including educating them on the specific ways that they can offer meaningful support to their breastfeeding partner.

<p>This study aims at investigating the spousal relationships of persons who have been diagnosed with dementia and are living in a nursing home. Eight spouses’ descriptions of their relationship, spousal interaction and the relationship´s impact on the spouse´s life were captured through qualitative interviews. The results show three main types of interaction patterns: one of spousal joy and happiness; a combination of both happiness and sadness; and a pattern of no positive reactions. The strength of the relationship was based on the analysis of trust, intimacy and commitment to the relationship. The spouses who described their relationships as most meaningful were strongly committed and expressed trust. Intimacy was generally low. When asked about plans for the future the results showed that some spouses included the person with dementia, while others excluded. This combined with the view of how the dementia disease affects the person, shows that in meaningful interactions the spouse separated the disease from the person. The relationships where interactions were more problematic showed that this separation did not occur in the same way.</p>

<p>Empati är känslan som väcks när människan lever sig in i någon annans situation. Forskning har visat att händelserna dödsfall av partner och skilsmässa är de mest stressfulla situationerna i livet. I två experiment undersöktes om dessa situationer även väckte mycket empati. Det första experimentet innefattade en berättelse där målpersonens kön och händelse varierade. Resultatet visade att kvinnor känner Amer empati för den som drabbas av dödsfall av partner än av skilsmässa, medan män känner lika mycket empati för de drabbade i de två händelserna; detta kan bero på att männens sociala nätverk är mindre än kvinnornas och därför tar en brytning väldigt hårt. Det andra experimentet gjordes på enbart kvinnor och undersökte vilket av dödsfall av partner och dödsfall av barn som väckte mest empati. Resultatet visade ingen skillnad mellan händelserna. Detta kan ha sin förklaring i att dödsfall av partner är den mest stressfyllda situationen i livet.</p>

<p>Syftet med studien var att öka kunskaperna om och förståelsen för de äldre anhörigvårdarnas situation genom att låta dem berätta om sin situation ur egen synvinkel för de äldre anhörigvårdarna, 75 år eller äldre, som vårdar sin maka / make.</p><p>Metoden som användes för att samla information var semistrukturerad intervju. Intervjutexterna analyserades med manifest innehållsanalys och med separat analys av de underliggande känslouttryck som framkom i intervjun.</p><p>Resultatet visar att dessa äldre anhörigvårdares situation innefattar många dagliga stressorer. Deras sömn blir störd av vårdtagaren, de har aldrig en lugn stund utan de har beredskap dygnet runt, deras avlastningstid i samband med inköp är otillräcklig och skapar stress, möjligheterna till dagavlastning för egen tid är obefintlig, de blir isolerade, de är oroade därför att back-up saknas som kan ta över om deras egen hälsa sviker, färdtjänstlagen ger inget stöd för besvär som uppkommer vid normalt åldrande, de önskar en universalkontakt, så kallad hjälpkontakt för äldre vid kommunen samt saknar känslan av förståelse från kommunen om de konsekvenser det innebär att bli äldre oavsett hälsotillstånd.</p><p>Slutsatsen är att det behövs mer forskning inom området för att vi skall kunna hjälpa dessa äldre anhörigvårdare till en värdigare tillvaro.</p> / <p>The purpose of this study  was to enriche the knowledge about the life conditions of elderly caregivers by letting them tell about their own ´point of view, in order to create a basis for deeper understanding of the eldrely caregivers, 75 years old or older, who care for their spouse.</p><p>The method used for collecting data was a semistructured intervju. The  interviews were analysed using qualitative manifest content analysis of the interwiews and counting of the underlying feelings of the participants.</p><p>The results  shows that the elderly caregiver´s situation includes many daily stressors.</p><p>Their sleep gets disturbed by the care recipient, they have never a moment of rest, instead they are on constant alert day and night, moments of free time in connection with purchase are insufficient and create stress, the possibilties to get daycare is inifinitimal, they become isolated, they are worried due lack of back-up,  if thier own helth fails, the legislation of journeyservice does not give any aid for inconveniences that are caused by getting old, they wish that there would be an overall contact help at the municipality that could help the elderly caregivers, and they lack understanding  from the municipality about the fact of getting older irrespective of healthcondition.</p><p>Conclusion: If we will be able to give these elderly caregiver´s a life that is more worthy there will be a need for more reaserch in this area.</p>

Thesis (LL.M. (Estate Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Empati är känslan som väcks när människan lever sig in i någon annans situation. Forskning har visat att händelserna dödsfall av partner och skilsmässa är de mest stressfulla situationerna i livet. I två experiment undersöktes om dessa situationer även väckte mycket empati. Det första experimentet innefattade en berättelse där målpersonens kön och händelse varierade. Resultatet visade att kvinnor känner Amer empati för den som drabbas av dödsfall av partner än av skilsmässa, medan män känner lika mycket empati för de drabbade i de två händelserna; detta kan bero på att männens sociala nätverk är mindre än kvinnornas och därför tar en brytning väldigt hårt. Det andra experimentet gjordes på enbart kvinnor och undersökte vilket av dödsfall av partner och dödsfall av barn som väckte mest empati. Resultatet visade ingen skillnad mellan händelserna. Detta kan ha sin förklaring i att dödsfall av partner är den mest stressfyllda situationen i livet.

This study aims at investigating the spousal relationships of persons who have been diagnosed with dementia and are living in a nursing home. Eight spouses’ descriptions of their relationship, spousal interaction and the relationship´s impact on the spouse´s life were captured through qualitative interviews. The results show three main types of interaction patterns: one of spousal joy and happiness; a combination of both happiness and sadness; and a pattern of no positive reactions. The strength of the relationship was based on the analysis of trust, intimacy and commitment to the relationship. The spouses who described their relationships as most meaningful were strongly committed and expressed trust. Intimacy was generally low. When asked about plans for the future the results showed that some spouses included the person with dementia, while others excluded. This combined with the view of how the dementia disease affects the person, shows that in meaningful interactions the spouse separated the disease from the person. The relationships where interactions were more problematic showed that this separation did not occur in the same way.

Syftet med studien var att öka kunskaperna om och förståelsen för de äldre anhörigvårdarnas situation genom att låta dem berätta om sin situation ur egen synvinkel för de äldre anhörigvårdarna, 75 år eller äldre, som vårdar sin maka / make. Metoden som användes för att samla information var semistrukturerad intervju. Intervjutexterna analyserades med manifest innehållsanalys och med separat analys av de underliggande känslouttryck som framkom i intervjun. Resultatet visar att dessa äldre anhörigvårdares situation innefattar många dagliga stressorer. Deras sömn blir störd av vårdtagaren, de har aldrig en lugn stund utan de har beredskap dygnet runt, deras avlastningstid i samband med inköp är otillräcklig och skapar stress, möjligheterna till dagavlastning för egen tid är obefintlig, de blir isolerade, de är oroade därför att back-up saknas som kan ta över om deras egen hälsa sviker, färdtjänstlagen ger inget stöd för besvär som uppkommer vid normalt åldrande, de önskar en universalkontakt, så kallad hjälpkontakt för äldre vid kommunen samt saknar känslan av förståelse från kommunen om de konsekvenser det innebär att bli äldre oavsett hälsotillstånd. Slutsatsen är att det behövs mer forskning inom området för att vi skall kunna hjälpa dessa äldre anhörigvårdare till en värdigare tillvaro. / The purpose of this study  was to enriche the knowledge about the life conditions of elderly caregivers by letting them tell about their own ´point of view, in order to create a basis for deeper understanding of the eldrely caregivers, 75 years old or older, who care for their spouse. The method used for collecting data was a semistructured intervju. The  interviews were analysed using qualitative manifest content analysis of the interwiews and counting of the underlying feelings of the participants. The results  shows that the elderly caregiver´s situation includes many daily stressors. Their sleep gets disturbed by the care recipient, they have never a moment of rest, instead they are on constant alert day and night, moments of free time in connection with purchase are insufficient and create stress, the possibilties to get daycare is inifinitimal, they become isolated, they are worried due lack of back-up,  if thier own helth fails, the legislation of journeyservice does not give any aid for inconveniences that are caused by getting old, they wish that there would be an overall contact help at the municipality that could help the elderly caregivers, and they lack understanding  from the municipality about the fact of getting older irrespective of healthcondition. Conclusion: If we will be able to give these elderly caregiver´s a life that is more worthy there will be a need for more reaserch in this area.

Article 21 of the Insolvency Act states that the estate of the solvent spouse transfers to the curator of the insolvent spouse's sequestrated estate. The solvent spouse then has the burden to request the release of property vested in the curator of the insolvent estate. In accordance with Article 21(2), the spouse is required to prove a lawful title on the property. Should the spouse be able to prove a lawful title on the property, the curator is obligated to release the property. Although the constitutionality of this temporarily "deprivation" of the solvent spouse of her rights has already been confirmed by the Constitutional Court; it imposes drastic limitations to his/ her rights. The Insolvency Act does not incorporate procedural measures by means of which the curator has to establish whether the solvent spouse has exempted his/ her from the proof burden. In the same breath, the Constitution and the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act warrant that "everyone has the right to administrative action that is lawful. reasonable and procedurally fair." If the curator's actions, in accordance with Article 21. conform to the administrative procedures as set out in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, the spouse shall be entitled to administrative actions which are procedurally fair as concluded within the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act. The conclusion is proof that the actions of the curator, in accordance with Article 21 of the Insolvency Act, is indeed administrative by nature and that the solvent spouse has the right to administrative actions which is procedurally fair as prescribed in the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act, as well as the right to reasons for not being granted the release of property. / Thesis (LL.M. (Estate Law))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.