Isabella Rhow
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Courtney Polenick
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychiatry / Medicine
Program: UROP
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Authors: Isabella Rhow, Courtney Polenick
Abstract
Previous research demonstrates the ways in which couples individually and jointly manage chronic conditions and how that may positively or negatively impact their well-being. Previous research has also studied interventions rooted in coping strategies and their impact on dyadic and communal coping outcomes. However, we know little about the ways in which partners manage and live with multiple chronic conditions. Nuanced information on ways that partners manage multiple chronic health conditions will give insights into couples’ experiences and well-being. This cross-sectional study used data from 56 older couples in which both partners live with multiple chronic conditions to examine their coping strategies. We used qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interview data collected from both partners which asked about how individuals and their partners cope together with the stress of having health conditions and what relationships characteristics or strengths help individuals and their partners cope with stress related to health conditions. We separately examined couples in which one partner lives with dementia (n = 15) and couples not living with dementia (n = 41) to evaluate differences in their coping strategies. In couples living with chronic conditions including dementia, we identified five major themes: 1) communication of needs, 2) adaptation and accommodation to routines; 3) humor; 4) love for each other; 5) and socialization with their community. In couples living with chronic conditions without dementia, we identified five major themes: 1) communication of needs, 2) adaptation and accommodation to routines, 3) evolved perspectives and outlooks on life, 4) love and emotional support, and 5) having complementary demeanors and balance. These themes give insight into how multiple chronic health conditions affect couples’ experiences and the management of their conditions. The current findings may inform intervention strategies to improve couple relationships and health outcomes when both partners live with multiple chronic conditions.
