Does cancer affect marriage rates?

Introduction  Finding a life partner is of great importance for persons’ life satisfaction, but cancer’s potential impact on family life is not well described. Cancer’s impact on marriage formation rates was therefore explored. Method  Data on the entire unmarried Norwegian population aged 17–44 in 1974–2001 (N = 2.2 million) come from the Cancer Registry and the Central Population Register. Marriage rates for 12,100 persons diagnosed with cancer were compared to marriage rates for otherwise similar persons using discrete-time hazard regression models. Results  Men with cancer had a marriage probability that was five percent higher (OR 1.05, CI 1.01–1.11) than cancer-free men. No cancer forms reduced men’s marriage rates, and significantly elevated rates were seen after skin and testicular cancer (OR 1.16 and 1.11). Cancer did not impact significantly on women’s overall marriage rate (OR 0.95, CI 0.90–1.00), but pronounced deficiencies were seen after brain and breast cancer (OR 0.62 and 0.74). Skin cancer elevated women’s marriage rate (OR 1.27). Male cancer survivors with children were more likely to marry than their female counterparts. Significant increases in cancer survivors’ marriage rates were observed over time. Conclusion  Marrying after cancer is more common today than previously, and only slight overall differences were observed in cancer survivors’ marriage rates relative to those of the cancer-free population. However, while brain and breast cancer in women is associated with reduced marriage rates, testicular cancer is associated with increased rates. The differences observed between common cancer forms in young adults deserve further exploration. Implications for cancer survivors  In general, marriage rates in survivors of most types of cancer are very similar to those in the population as a whole. Women with brain and breast cancer have lower marriage rates than their cancer-free counterparts. While it is necessary to identify exactly why this was observed, the information can alert those with these cancers to the potential impact on marriage and thus work to reduce the possible effect, if desired.     

Mechanisms of Change in a Cognitive Behavioral Couples Prevention Program: Does Being Naughty or Nice Matter?

Although there is a body of evidence suggesting beneficial effects of premarital prevention, little research directly examines the mechanisms of effect. One study that examined changes in communication following training in the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) found that, although couples made the expected communication gains pre to post PREP, female gains in positive communication were paradoxically associated with worse, not better, outcomes (Schilling et al., J. Fam. Psychol. 17(1):41-53, 2003). Using two samples, the current investigation did not yield evidence of such an association. We discuss issues related to replication studies (e.g., failure to reject null hypotheses), challenges in analyzing and interpreting dyadic data, and implications for prevention.     

Spousal influence on smoking behaviors in a US community sample of newly married couples

Among married couples, partners often have similar characteristics and behaviors. Among individuals who smoke cigarettes, it is not uncommon for them to have a partner who also smokes. In fact, having a partner who smokes can influence the spouse's initiation of smoking, or return to smoking after a previous quit attempt. Additionally, it is possible that a nonsmoking partner can influence his/her spouse to stop smoking. Participants for this research are from a community sample of couples in the United States. They were recruited at the time they applied for their marriage license and followed through to their second wedding anniversary. Logistic regression models, controlling for demographics, were utilized to determine if a partner's smoking status predicted smoking initiation or relapse over the early years of marriage. Overall, there was some support that a partner's smoking status did influence the other's smoking, although more support was found for spousal influence on relapse than cessation. There was more support for husband's influence compared to wife's influence, nonsmoking wives were more likely to resume smoking in the early years of their marriage if their partners were smokers. Wives' smoking, however, did not predict husband initiation of smoking. These findings suggest that during the transition into marriage, spouses do influence their partners' behaviors. In particular, women are more likely to resume smoking, or return to smoking if their partners smoke.     

Demographic impact of epilepsy in Africa: results of a 10-year cohort study in a rural area of Cameroon

PURPOSE: To evaluate the demographic impact of epilepsy a rural area of Africa. METHODS: A cohort study was conducted between 1991 and 2001 in the Mbam Valley (Cameroon) on two groups of subjects (one of persons with epilepsy, and the other of control individuals matched for sex, age, and village of residence). At the end of the follow-up, information on mortality, marital status, and numbers of offspring was obtained from 128 pairs of subjects. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (28.9%) persons with epilepsy and six (4.7%) controls died between 1991 and 2001. The relative risk of dying during the follow-up among the group of people with epilepsy, compared with the controls, was 6.2 (95% CI, 2.7-14.1). The most frequent causes of death in the persons with epilepsy were status epilepticus, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), and drowning. Of the 90 pairs, of which both members were still alive in 2001, 15 (16.7%) persons with epilepsy were married as compared with 53 (58.9%) controls. The mean number of children was 0.9 in the subjects with epilepsy, and 1.7 in the controls (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Health personnel should be trained and sensitized about the devastating effect of this neglected disease in developing countries. In those areas where onchocerciasis control programs are organized by using the community-directed-treatment approach, the possibility that the ivermectin distributors could also be responsible for distributing antiepileptic drugs should be considered.     

The careers of women graduates from St Mary''s Hospital Medical School, London, 1961–72

The careers of women doctors who qualified from St Mary's Hospital Medical School between 1961 and 1972 inclusive have been studied. Thirty-eight per cent were in full-time work, 47% were working part-time, and 15% were not practising medicine at the time of the survey. Those working full-time were predominantly single women and married women with no children. With the birth of children most women stopped working for a time, and 38% of those whose children were all under school age were not working. However, 90% returned to medicine, usually to part-time jobs that were compatible with family responsibilities. Eighty-six per cent of the respondents held one or more postgraduate qualifications. More of those with higher qualifications were in full-time work than was the case for women with a basic medical degree only, and fewer were not practising medicine. An equal proportion of single and married women intended to make their career in general practice. Fewer married women than single women chose a hospital career, because the possibilities of part-time work in this field were seen as limited.     

Comparison of employment status of women medical graduates and women science graduates, University of Sheffield, 1960-65

It appears from this survey that the employment prospects of women in medicine are not as gloomy as might be imagined. However, they may be employed in posts underusing their talents and should be encouraged at medical school to consider medicine as a meaningful career.
Women science graduates appear to fare badly in the employment field compared to women doctors and are employed, very often, in jobs unconnected with their qualifications. An advisory service for women science students is recommended.     

Performance of women medical graduates from Medical College, Baroda, 1949–14

Women account for 15% of the total admissions in medicine. 271 women have graduated from Medical College, Baroda in 25 years. The examination results are better in women than in men. Obstetrics and gynaecology is the most common speciality selected by women. Job satisfaction is found in 87% of women. Unmarried women account for 15%, 66% have married a doctor and 19% are married to non- medical spouse. Emigration is to the extent of 39%.     

离婚者婚姻质量的调查分析

目的 探讨离婚者的婚姻质量。方法 对30名离婚者和39名在婚者的婚姻质量进行对照分析。结果 离婚者在Olson的婚姻质量问卷的理想化、婚姻的满意度、性格的相容性、夫妻交流、经济安排、业余活动因子上有显著性差异。结论 婚姻的破裂多因夫妻之间的性格不和、情感交流的不畅、共同兴趣及活动的缺乏、家庭经济问题的纠纷所致。     

Primary Prevention in the First Two Years of Marriage

ABSTRACT

The early years of marriage are crucial for a successful relationship and require more theoretical, empirical, and clinical attention. This article explores the issues and challenges of the first 2 years of marriage. We propose a model of primary prevention that emphasizes the importance of a strong, resilient marital bond of respect, trust, and intimacy and developing a couple style that is functional and satisfying for both spouses.