title: Psychological distress and subjective well-being in partners of somatically ill or physically disabled: the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study.
abstract: This study investigated the cross-sectional associations between various somatic conditions in one partner and the level of distress and well-being in the spouse. The study is based on survey data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, HUNT II (1995-1997). A sample of 9,797 married or cohabiting couples with valid data on subjective well-being (SWB), psychological distress (Hopkins Symptom Check List (SCL)-10) and somatic illness were identified. Regression analyses stratified by sex were conducted with SCL-10 and SWB scores as dependent variables and a joint somatic score as predictor, including; stroke, cancer, angina, myocardial infarction and physical disability (PD). The contribution of each somatic condition was also explored. Spouses of persons previously diagnosed with at least one somatic condition scored significantly lower on SWB and significantly higher on SCL-10 than spouses of healthy persons, though effect sizes were small. The effect seems to be at least partly mediated by the ill partner's psychological distress. Of the specific conditions, PD had the most significant contribution for both genders, though an association between male angina and spousal distress/SWB was also demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Mental Health, PO Box 4404, Nydalen, N-0403 Oslo, Norway. ingrid.borren@fhi.no
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Borren
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tambs
authors.forename: Mariann
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Idstad
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ask
authors.forename: Jon Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sundet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*