Projects
Projects FNS
LIVIA-FR: An online unguided self-help intervention for people struggling with interpersonal loss
2019 - 2023
Applicant : Anik Debrot et Valentino Pomini
Other partners : Tanja Bellier-Teichmann, Jeannette Brodbeck, Hansjoerg Znoj
Losing a close relative, by death or by separation, is common but also one of the most stressful life events. A significant part of people (10-15%) experience substantial and persistent distress after such a loss. Meta-analyses indicate that supporting them with interventions is efficient. Recently, internet-based interventions (IBIs) for grieving individuals showed promising results. Guided IBIs had best results. In particular, our partners Brodbeck, Berger and Znoj (2017) obtained very good results with a cognitive-behaviorally oriented IBI. Two unguided IBIs have addressed grief-related difficulties. They were efficient, but to a lesser degree than guided interventions. Not only the lack of guidance might explain this, but these interventions were restricted in tasks and goals. Unguided interventions are more cost-effective. Thus, the present research project aims at developing an unguided IBI.
More specifically, we aim to compare Brodbeck and colleagues' IBI (but without guidance) to a new unguided IBI that we will develop. To improve effectiveness, the following modifications are planned: (a) Accomplishing tasks carefully reported in agendas according to grief relevant goals. (b) Letting participants choose their way through the program. (c) Fostering activities that promote nurturing relationships and positive interpersonal proximity. (d) Resource-oriented activities inspired by clinical positive psychology. (e) Automated e-mails. (f) A forum for exchanges between participants.
Participants will be randomly allocated to the treatment conditions. We will measure results on both distress and well-being scales at post-intervention and six-month follow-up. The might be extended to other mental disorders. As there is a dramatic lack in French empirically validated IBIs and French is a widely spoken language, the potential further applications of such IBIs is broad and the consequential benefits for public health important.
Sexuality and well-being in couple relationships: The effect of intimacy enhancing behaviors
2015 - 2016 (17 mois)
Applicant : Anik Debrot
Other partners : Emily Impett
The present research project seeks to investigate the association of daily sexual activity with individual and relational wellbeing. In fact, it is known that sexually satisfied people have more fulfilled romantic relationships and are happier in their lives in general. However, for some people, sex can be a negative experience, or a little joyful one. Despite the importance of sexuality for wellbeing, until now, no study has investigated the association of sex with mood in the daily life of both partners of couples.
The general assumption is made that intimacy feelings (i.e. feeling close to, cared for, and understood by one's partner) play an important role in making sexual activity beneficial for the mood and the relationship satisfaction. In fact, intimacy can derive from sexual activity and has been related to individual and relational wellbeing. Moreover, two aspects are believed to increase feelings of intimacy when partners have sex: sexual communal motivation (i.e. the motivation to meet the partner's sexual needs) and warm touch (both generally in daily life, and just before and after sexual activity).
To test these hypotheses, both partners of about 100 committed couples will answer to a daily questionnaire on the Internet during three weeks. Different behaviors of touch (i.e. cuddling, holding hands, caressing, etc.) will be assessed.
This study would be the first to investigate how sexuality relates to the individual mood of men and women in romantic relationships, and to study sexuality and touch together in daily life. The results will permit to increase knowledge about what contributes to a fulfilling sexual life within committed romantic relationships. This is important first, because the investigation of sexuality within relationships has been rather neglected in research, and second, because, in our society, there is both a lack of knowledge about the characteristics of a healthy sexuality in relationships and an important interest in this topic.
