Impact of a husband's chronic illness (COPD) on the spouse's life

Sexton, Dorothy L.; Munro, Barbara Hazard

doi:10.1002/nur.4770080115

Cited by 88 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…In comparison with patients suffering from terminal lung cancer, health-related quality of life in COPD is even worse (Gore et al 2000;Habraken et al 2009). The patients' disease also impacts their partners' well-being and quality of life (Bergs 2002;Cannon and Cavanaugh 1998;Grant et al 2012;Hynes et al 2012;Kanervisto et al 2007a; Kanervisto et al 2007b;Keele-Card et al 1993;Rees et al 2001;Sexton and Munro 1985). Spouses' health-related quality of life is considerably lower compared to samples similar in age (Kühl et al 2008;Thöne et al 2011), and it tends to be even lower than patients' quality of life (Rees et al 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

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

et al. 2015

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In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, impairments of dyadic coping are associated with reduced quality of life. However, existing studies have a cross-sectional design. The present study explores changes in dyadic coping over time and its long-term effects on quality of life of both patients suffering from COPD and their partners. Dyadic coping, psychological distress, health-related quality of life, and exercise capacity were assessed in 63 patients suffering from COPD with their partners, at baseline and 3-year-follow-up. Correlation analyses and actor-partner interdependence models (APIMs) were conducted. Patients' delegated dyadic coping (taking over tasks) and common dyadic coping (mutual coping efforts when both partners are stressed) rated by the spouses decreased. Correlation analyses showed that patients' quality of life at follow-up was positively influenced by partners' stress communication (signaling stress). Partners' quality of life at follow-up was negatively influenced by patients' negative dyadic coping (reacting superficially, ambivalently or hostilely) and positively influenced by partners' delegated dyadic coping rated by patients (taking over tasks). APIMs mostly supported these results. It seems important that both partners communicate about stress and provide appropriate instrumental and emotional support to maintain quality of life.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

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

et al. 2015

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“…This has long been recognised and described as living within an 'emotional straight jacket' with both positive emotions such as laughter, and negative emotions such as anger, leading to distressing dyspnoea (Rabinowitz & Florian, 1992, Dudley et al, 1980, Diethorn, 1985. Partners of COPD patients tend to avoid discussing problems, or subjects that could lead to conflict with their ill spouses, for the same reason (Ring & Danielson, 1997, Sexton & Munro, 1985, Gullick, 2008.…”

Section: Changes In Personality and Moodmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This loss of intimacy through conversation is parallelled with a loss of physical intimacy, including sexual interaction (Gullick, 2008, Sexton & Munro, 1985. Where intercourse is attempted it may be frightening with distressing breathlessness distracting both partners from the romanticism or eroticism of the moment.…”

Section: The Confining Nature Of Copd For the Patient And Familymentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial Dimensions of COPD for the Patient and Family

Gullick¹

2012

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Current Concepts and Practice

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“…In addition, the patient's chronic illness may limit the control individuals feel over social interactions, such as when and where these may occur [38]. For example, Sexton and Munro [39] reported that 30.4% of their sample of wives of COPD patients were no longer engaged in social activities because of the patients' illnesses. Haley and colleagues [40] found no differences in size of social support network or number of contacts with family between caregivers and controls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Role Strains and Mood in Husbands of Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Test of the Stress Process Model

Bigatti¹,

Lydon²,

Brothers³

2008

TOFAMSJ

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Spouses of patients experience role strains as a result of informal caregiving, which has been associated with mood in numerous research studies. However, most research is on female caregivers, and little is known about the experience of male spouses, or of the caregiving provided to fibromyalgia patients. The Stress Process Model was used to examine mediators and moderators of the relation between role strain and mood among 135 husbands of women with fibromyalgia. Results indicated that the more activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living performed by the husband, the greater the role strain. Role strain was associated with worse mood. A test of the Stress Process Model supported a partial mediation model, where social support and emotion-focused coping partially mediated the relation between role strain and mood. No evidence was found for a moderation model or for problem-focused coping as a mediator. Our research suggests significant impairment and caregiving needs among this patient population, which in turn relates to the mood of the husband who is also an informal caregiver. Our findings also support the Stress Process Model in explaining the complexity of caregiving effects. The results of the study suggest avenues for intervention for individuals strained by their partners' illness.Spouses of chronically ill individuals have poorer mental health than comparison groups and the general population [1,2]. Spouses may be affected because the illness may require informal caregiving, including assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs; such as toileting, dressing), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs; such as shopping), and taking over responsibilities that the patient can no longer perform (such as cleaning, cooking). These caregiving responsibilities may interfere with spouses' abilities to perform other roles, resulting in role strains.Role strains, experienced daily by most individuals, are defined as the difficulties felt by individuals who have multiple roles with accompanying obligations [3]. For caregivers, the additional responsibility of helping a patient with a health condition may divert much needed resources from the other roles currently fulfilled by the individual, causing role strain. Roles typically examined for strain include work, domestic environment, sexual relations, family relations, and social relations. Of the employed caregiving husbands in a national study of frail elderly, 32% reported working fewer hours, 28% indicated they rearranged their schedule, and 24% took time off without pay because of their wives' illness [4]. In the domestic environment, husbands report an increase in the amount of time spent on household chores as a direct result of their wives' illness or disability [5]. A chronic illness may affect the couple's sexual relations as well. For example, patients with a rheumatic disease listed pain or weakness, fatigue, and lack of interest as the top *Address correspondence to this author at the IUPUI, Department of P...

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Impact of a husband's chronic illness (COPD) on the spouse's life

Cited by 88 publications

References 28 publications

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

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

Psychosocial Dimensions of COPD for the Patient and Family

Role Strains and Mood in Husbands of Women with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Test of the Stress Process Model

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