title: Experience of cumulative trauma disorders on life roles of worker and family member: a case study of a married couple.
abstract: The prevalence of diagnosed cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) within the workforce comes at a high price for employers burdened with financial losses from missed work and worker's compensation costs. Research has focused primarily on the impact of CTD on the worker role within the workplace, overlooking the impact on roles across multiple environments [24,35,54]. Furthermore, the influence of CTD on life roles of a spouse has not been examined. This single case study illustrated the experience of CTD within a marital relationship through the use of grounded theory. Results indicated that adaptations to CTD symptoms were least altering to the established routines and roles of the couple. With progression of symptoms, the spouse without symptoms was relied on more heavily for adaptations to manage pain. The results of this study indicate that occupational therapists must examine the client's valued roles and incorporate the family into intervention strategies.
authors.affiliation: University of Indianapolis, School of Occupational Therapy, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA.
authors.forename: Lucinda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barkley
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bayless
authors.forename: Shelley D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Brad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Janell
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Myszkowski
authors.forename: Lenore
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Phipps-Stevens
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D012380:Role; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000523:psychology*