Browsing by Author "Casu, Giulia"

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    Dyadic Invariance of the Positive Sexuality Scale in Chilean Heterosexual Couples
    (2021) Casu, Giulia; Guzman-Gonzalez, Monica; Espinoza-Tapia, Ricardo; Garrido-Rojas, Lusmenia; Barrientos, Jaime; Gomez, Fabiola
    Gender differences in sexuality-related dimensions have long been investigated in close relationship research. An important assumption when comparing values across gender in dyadic research is that both partners conceptualize the construct under investigation in the same way. Thus, issues of measurement invariance should be considered when working with dyadic data. The aim of the present study was to test the dyadic invariance of the Positive Sexuality Scale (PSS) to assess an individual's sense of happiness and fulfillment with his/her sexual expression. The PSS was completed by 166 Chilean heterosexual couples, and measurement invariance was tested using confirmatory factor analysis within a dyadic framework. Configural, metric, scalar, and partial strict measurement invariance were supported for the PSS original one-factor model. No between-partner difference was found in the PSS latent factor mean. The functioning of the PSS and the meaning attributed to positive sexuality were the same for both partners. Hence, variations in the PSS levels between both partners in heterosexual couples can be interpreted as true mean differences rather than measurement artifacts.
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    Internalized homonegativity moderates the association between attachment avoidance and emotional intimacy among same-sex male couples
    (2023) Guzman-Gonzalez, Monica; Gomez, Fabiola; Bahamondes, Joaquin; Barrientos, Jaime; Garrido-Rojas, Lusmenia; Espinoza-Tapia, Ricardo; Casu, Giulia
    IntroductionThe present study aimed to examine dyadic associations between attachment insecurity and emotional intimacy in same-sex male couples, and to investigate whether and how each partner's internalized homonegativity (IH) moderated these associations. MethodsThe sample included 138 same-sex male couples. Both dyad members completed self-report measures of attachment insecurity, emotional intimacy, and IH. The actor-partner interdependence model with moderation analysis was applied. ResultsIndicated that higher levels of actor's and partner's attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were associated with lower actor's emotional intimacy. IH moderated the partner effects of attachment avoidance on emotional intimacy. The partner's higher attachment avoidance was associated with one's own lower emotional intimacy at low (but not high) levels of one's own IH and at high (but not low) levels of the partner's IH. DiscussionFindings suggest that the partner's attachment avoidance may differently affect one's own emotional intimacy depending on the IH levels of both dyad members. Helping partnered sexual minority men decrease attachment insecurity while recognizing their own and their partners' IH may promote relationship quality.
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    Perceived Emotional Impact of COVID-19 and Depressive Symptoms among Male Same-Sex Chilean Couples: Direct and Indirect Dyadic Associations through Relationship Satisfaction
    (2023) Guzman-Gonzalez, Monica; Barrientos, Jaime; Garrido, Lusmenia; Bahamondes, Joaquin; Gomez, Fabiola; Espinoza-Tapia, Ricardo; Casu, Giulia
    Stressors arising from the COVID-19 pandemic can spill over into the quality of couple relationships, with negative consequences on mental health. The mental health impact of COVID-19 might be particularly pronounced in disadvantaged populations such as LGBT people. This study aimed to examine direct and indirect dyadic associations between emotional impact of COVID-19 and depressive symptoms through relationship satisfaction in male same-sex couples. Using a cross-sectional design, 158 male same-sex Chilean couples completed self-report measures of the emotional impact of COVID-19, relationship satisfaction and depressive symptoms. We used the actor-partner interdependence mediation model for indistinguishable dyads to explore the direct and indirect dyadic associations. Results indicated that each partner's perceived emotional impact of COVID-19 was associated with his own higher depressive symptoms directly and indirectly, through his own lower relationship satisfaction. The other partner's perceived emotional impact of COVID-19 was associated with one's own higher depressive symptoms only directly. Our findings reinforce the notion that satisfactory couple relationships can act as a protective factor against depression in the LGBT population. Programs to promote adaptive coping strategies to deal with the emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may have beneficial effects for the emotional adjustment of male same-sex couples, also by promoting relationship satisfaction.