Alexia Steinberg
Pronouns: She/her
Research Mentor(s): Courtney Polenick
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychiatry / Medicine
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Authors:
Abstract
Couples who are living with multiple chronic conditions may face unique challenges within their marriage. These challenges can include managing medications and appointments, dealing with the physical and emotional effects of their conditions, and navigating the financial burden of healthcare costs. Despite these challenges, it is also possible for couples living with multiple chronic conditions to have a strong and fulfilling marriage. There has been a multitude of studies related to chronic illness management in couples, however, little research has been done on couples in which both partners live with multiple chronic conditions. This cross-sectional study used data collected from 56 older couples in which both partners have multiple chronic conditions to evaluate how the management of multiple chronic conditions affects their marital relationship. The participants consisted of couples in which one partner lives with dementia (n = 15) and couples not living with dementia (n = 41). We used qualitative content analysis of transcribed semi-structured interview data collected from both partners regarding how managing multiple chronic conditions has affected their marital relationship and the things they do together as a couple. In couples living with dementia, there were four major themes: 1) a decrease in partnered physical activity, 2) an increase in compassion for one another, 3) an increase in partner support to manage health, and 4) pandemic-related activity restrictions. In couples not living with dementia, there were four major themes: 1) a decrease in partnered physical activity, 2) an increase in compassion for one another, 3) an increase in partner support to manage health, and 4) a decrease in physical intimacy. The findings provide a greater understanding of ways that chronic conditions both positively and negatively affect marital quality in couples living with multiple chronic conditions.
