Dyadic coping, quality of life, and psychological distress among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and their partners

Abstract

BackgroundSuccessfully coping with a chronic disease depends significantly on social support, particularly that of a significant other. Thus, it depends on the ways of dealing with stress within a couple (dyadic coping). In this study, the relationship between dyadic coping and well-being was investigated among couples in which one partner suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsA total of 43 couples participated. They were mailed questionnaires on anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire-BREF), and dyadic coping (Dyadic Coping Inventory).ResultsLow scores of positive and high scores of negative dyadic coping were associated with poorer quality of life and higher psychological distress among couples. Delegated coping (assistance with daily tasks) was higher among partners. When estimated by patients, high delegated partner coping (frequent provision of support by partners) and low delegated personal coping (low provision of support by patients) were associated with poorer quality of life for both patient and partner. COPD patients suffering from depression were supported more often and attributed deficits in dyadic coping primarily to themselves, whereas partners with higher scores of depression provided higher estimates of both their own negative coping and the negative coping of their partner.ConclusionThe higher the patient perceived the imbalance in delegated dyadic coping, the lower the couple’s quality of life. More negative and less positive dyadic coping were associated with lower quality of life and higher psychological distress. Psychotherapeutic interventions to improve dyadic coping may lead to better quality of life and less psychological distress among COPD patients and their partners.

For better or for worse: a longitudinal study on dyadic coping and quality of life among couples with a partner suffering from COPD

“…Age and psychological distress were included as predictors because of their possible influence on the outcome variables (Graf von der Schulenburg et al 1998;Meier et al 2011;Thöne et al 2011). Gender was not included as a predictor, as there were no significant gender differences in the outcome variables (analyses were conducted separately for patients and spouses; patients' health-related quality of life: F (1;62) = 3.39; p = .07; spouses' health-related quality of life: F (1;62) = .12; p = .73).…”

“…In couples with one partner suffering from COPD, dyadic coping was also associated with quality of life (Meier et al 2011). Particularly, patients' quality of life was positively influenced by their own delegated dyadic coping, and negatively influenced by their own stress communication, as well as by negative coping of partners.…”

“…Particularly, patients' quality of life was positively influenced by their own delegated dyadic coping, and negatively influenced by their own stress communication, as well as by negative coping of partners. Partners' quality of life was positively influenced by their own delegated dyadic coping as well as by patients' delegated dyadic coping, and negatively influenced by their own negative coping, patients' negative coping, as well as patients' stress communication (Meier et al 2011). Moreover, an imbalance in delegated dyadic coping (partners showing more delegated dyadic coping than patients) as well as in stress communication (patients showing more stress communication than partners) was found in couples with one partner suffering from COPD, whereas typical healthy couples have more reciprocal coping efforts (Meier et al 2012).…”

Unmet Needs of Patients Feeling Severely Affected by Multiple Sclerosis in Germany: A Qualitative Study

“…[34][35][36][37] Professional support for patients and for family and friends can reduce the burden on both. 35,38,39 Empathetic physicians, nurses, and/or social workers may offer support in coping with MS and its consequences. Extant structures seldom provide psychological support, although the psychological impact of MS is a key issue for patients.…”

Informal caregivers of patients with COPD: Home Sweet Home?

“…For example, informal caregiving may lead to higher costs for paid sick leave of the informal caregiver [11], or anxiety or worrying that is associated with higher rates of contacts with healthcare professionals and higher use of medication [18]. Moreover, a perceived imbalance in delegated dyadic coping can decrease a couple's quality of life [19], which may increase the use of healthcare resources [20]. These findings show the complex role of informal caregivers and the need for healthcare providers to gain insight into how informal caregivers fulfil their role ( fig.…”