Older couples' management of multiple-chronic illnesses: Individual and shared perceptions and coping in Type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis.
Using data from interviews with 28 older couples in which 1 spouse was diagnosed with diabetes and osteoarthritis, we examined illness perceptions and coping activities as they relate to illness management and relationship resilience. Qualitative analysis of interview transcripts revealed categories of data related to perceptions, coping, and cross category comparisons. Findings suggest that couples experience both negative and positive perceptions of their illnesses, indicating a balance between the reality of their illness challenges and an optimistic outlook of the future. Coping activities included a variety of tasks and were performed by individuals, by both spouses in a shared effort, and by individuals and shared couple efforts. Findings highlight the complexity of individual and shared couple illness perception and couple efforts in managing multiple-chronic illnesses.
Yorgason
Jeremy B
JB
School of Family Life, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA. jeremy_yorgason@byu.edu
Roper
Susanne Olsen
SO
Wheeler
Brandan
B
Crane
Kristen
K
Byron
Rebekah
R
Carpenter
Leslie
L
Sandberg
Jonathan G
JG
Sheffield
Rachel
R
Higley
Dawn
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*