Background & Aims
Dyadic coping, the process of coping that transpires between couples challenged by one partner’s illness, is an important predictor of disease adjustment and patient wellbeing. However, dyadic coping in rheumatoid arthritis remains unclear. This study examines the effect of dyadic coping on psychological distress and relationship quality from both participants with rheumatoid arthritis as well as their spouse’s perspective.
Methods
Participants and their spouses were invited to participate in an online survey study if they were 18+ years and had lived together for more than a year. The survey included the Dyadic Coping Inventory, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Participants and spouses completed the survey independently. The actor-partner interdependence model was used to analyse the dyadic data.
Results
163 couples participated. Our findings showed that participants who reported higher supportive dyadic coping reported lower depression, anxiety, stress and higher relationship quality. While participants who reported higher negative dyadic coping reported higher depression, anxiety, stress and lower relationship quality. Spouses who reported higher supportive dyadic coping reported higher relationship quality but no impact on depression, anxiety and stress was observed. However, spouses who reported higher negative dyadic coping reported higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress and lower relationship quality.
Conclusions
These findings are the first report of dyadic coping from a national registry from both rheumatoid arthritis participants and spouse perspective. This study findings demonstrate the reciprocal nature of dyadic coping that transpires between rheumatoid arthritis participants and their spouse and showcase that integrating dyadic coping training in management may be a valuable resource for enhanced mental health outcomes and relationship quality of couples living with rheumatoid arthritis.
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Presenting Author
Manasi Murthy Mittinty
Poster Authors
Manasi Murthy Mittinty
MD, PhD
Flinders University
Lead Author
Murthy N Mittinty
Flinders University
Lead Author
Rachelle Buchbinder
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Victoria
Lead Author
Marissa Lassere
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales
Lead Author
Vibhasha Chand
Lead Author
Samuel Whittle
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University
Lead Author
Lyn March
University of Sydney
Lead Author
Catherine Hill
University of Adelaide
Lead Author
Topics
- Novel Experimental/Analytic Approaches/Tools