title: A relationship-focused investigation of spousal psychological adjustment to dual-sensory loss.
abstract: The relationship intimacy model of psychosocial adjustment to illness indicates that a patient's willingness to communicate about their illness, as perceived by the spouse, is a strong predictor of spouse relational and psychological well-being. Inspired by the relationship intimacy model, the current study examined the psychological adjustment of spouses of individuals with dual-sensory loss (DSL), a disability where interpersonal communication is of particular concern.
  
  
  
  Surveys were sent to all known individuals and their partners who were 50 years of age or older and were enrolled in services for acquired DSL in Denmark. A total of 65 spouses met the inclusion criteria of which 45 (69%) returned a partner survey.
  
  
  
  Results showed a significant association between couples' sensory loss-related communication, relationship satisfaction, perceived support and psychological well-being. Perceived support significantly mediated the association between couples' sensory loss communication and spouse psychological well-being.
  
  
  
  The current study's findings provide support for a relationship-focused perspective of spousal psychological adjustment in the context of DSL. Further, couples' sensory loss-related communication is presented as a potential intervention target to enhance spouse perceived support and psychological well-being.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7872-0890
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lehane
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elsass
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Hanna B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Hovaldt
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dammeyer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054062:Deaf-Blind Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D000066498:Emotional Adjustment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Dual-sensory loss; caregiver spouse; illness communication; psychological well-being; relationship satisfaction