The Effects of Partners’ Helping Motivation on Chronic Pain Patients’ Functioning Over Time

A Dyadic Perspective on Coping and its Effects on Relationship Quality and Psychological Distress in Couples Living with Chronic Pain: A Longitudinal Study

“…Higher scores reflect higher relationship quality. The DAS has high test-retest reliability, validity and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha,  = 0.93), which has been confirmed by other studies [6,[32][33][34]. In the current study Cronbach's alpha for patients were .91, .93 and .93 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively and for partners it was .90, .92 and .91 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively.…”

“…Given that partners are often an important source of support [5], understanding the role of partners' coping efforts and support provision remains an important goal of current research. Research on partner support has demonstrated that volitionally provided spousal support (autonomous support provided by spouse out of commitment and affection) is perceived as more helpful by the patients than support provided under pressure (support provided out of guilt or criticism), and is associated with improved wellbeing, reduced stress [6], and better physical and psychological functioning [7][8][9]. Although timing and motivation behind partner support has been investigated, very little is known about the bi-directional nature of dyadic coping which comprises of appraisal and response to pain from both partners [10].…”

“What Should I Do First?” The Effect of Manipulated Goal Conflict on Affect, Motivation, and Helping Behavior in Chronic Pain Couples

“…Previous research has indicated that a volitional motivation to provide help may yield the most beneficial effects 26,27,[29][30][31] , and that this may be threatened when partners experience conflicts between the goal to help the ICP and other valuable goals they pursue in daily life 28 . Providing help requires one's limited time and energy.…”

“…Drawing upon Self-Determination Theory (SDT) 11 , the motives for providing help may explain when help can have an adaptive or a maladaptive effect on both ICP and partner. When help is provided for controlled or pressured motives (e.g., avoidance of guilt/criticism), it has been found to predict poorer individual outcomes in both ICPs (e.g., less satisfaction with help) and partners (e.g., more helping exhaustion) as well as worse relational outcomes (e.g., more relational conflict) 27,[29][30][31] . Instead, when partners provide help for autonomous or volitional reasons (e.g., commitment, enjoyment), they are more receptive to the preferences and needs of the ICP 18 , enabling them to provide more attuned and qualitatively better help.…”

Social support for functional dependence, activity patterns, and chronic pain outcomes: A cross-lagged mediation panel study.

“…Finally, our study provides a one-sided view of complex interpersonal processes, by exclusively focusing on the perspective of the targets of support. Dyadic studies can provide a more complete picture of such processes, by encompassing the formal carers' perspectives (e.g., autonomous/volitional vs. controlled/pressured motivation to help), which can also influence the effectiveness of supportive interactions (Kindt et al, 2019). Furthermore, observational studies using standard behavioral coding procedures in natural settings could also inform the match between self-reported versus actual/observed social support exchanges.…”