Spousal social support and strain: impacts on health in older couples

Abstract

Using a nationally representative sample of couples aged 51+ in the United States (N = 1,923 couples), the current study investigated whether both partners’ perceptions of relationship support and strain are associated with an individual's self-rated health and functional limitations. The sample had an average age of 67.17 years (SD = 9.0; range 50–97). Actor–Partner Interdependence Models adjusting for couple interdependencies were applied using multilevel models. After accounting for age, education, gender, race, and couple differences in length of marriage, results indicate that individual perceptions of support were significantly associated with higher self-rated health and fewer functional limitations. These individual-level benefits increased if the spouse also perceived positive support and low strain. Finally, the negative association of an individual's perceived support on functional limitations was greater in those with a spouse reporting low levels of perceived strain. Findings are discussed relative to theory on behavioral and psychological pathways between partners’ perceptions of support and health.

Social Networks in Later Life

“…Not all studies have found the health-related effects of negative exchanges to outweigh those of positive exchanges (e.g, Ryan, Wan, & Smith, 2014; Walen & Lachman, 2000). On balance, though, the preponderance of evidence suggests that the health-related effects of negative social exchanges are at least as potent, and often more potent, than the effects of positive social exchanges (Rook, 1998).…”

Stress and Negative Relationship Quality among Older Couples: Implications for Blood Pressure

“…Married couples are not only influenced by the external stresses experienced in their lives but stresses that are internal to the marriage. Negative aspects of the marital relationship (e.g., negative or hostile behaviors; overall strain) are linked with increased cardiovascular activity (Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001;Robles & Kiecolt-Glaser, 2003), poorer self-rated health, and greater functional limitations (Ryan, Wan, & Smith, 2014). In a meta-analysis assessing the relationship between marital quality and health, Robles, Slatcher, Trombello, and McGinn (2013) found that marital dissatisfaction was consistently related to structural indicators of cardiovascular disease as well as functional indicators, including blood pressure.…”

Social interactions at the onset of rheumatoid arthritis and their influence on help‐seeking behaviour: A qualitative exploration

“…The relationship between the patient and their partner is one of the most obvious and important sources for social support and help‐seeking advice. Spousal social support has been shown to be an important determinant of the patient's well‐being (Ryan, Wan, & Smith, ). However, the input from partners, relatives and significant others is not always helpful or supportive, and negative social interactions can have negative implications for well‐being and health and may also have an impact on help‐seeking behaviour.…”