title: In sickness and in health: an exploration of the perceived quality of the marital relationship, coping, and depression in caregivers of spouses with Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex task influenced by numerous factors including the quality of the past and present marital relationship. Assessment of both the caregiver's perception of the quality of the past marital relationship and how he or she traditionally coped with marital discord is important for planning effective interventions. AD support groups that work with both the caregiver and the afflicted spouse on problem-solving skills may strengthen or help preserve the marital relationship.
authors.affiliation: Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Creighton/Nebraska Department of Psychiatry, Omaha, NE, USA.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Knop
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bergman-Evans
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: McCabe
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged