Abstract
Objectives: 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.
Method: 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: 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.
Conclusion: 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.
Method: 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: 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.
Conclusion: 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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Aging & Mental Health |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 397-404 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISSN | 1360-7863 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2018 |
Keywords
- Caregiver spouse
- Dual-sensory loss
- Illness communication
- Psychological wellbeing
- Relationship satisfaction
