The Interaction of Health Stressors and Power Imbalances in Partnered Women: Wellbeing Outcomes

ABSTRACT

Being in poor physical health can be disempowering and place additional stress on couple and individual wellbeing. Given the high prevalence of gendered power imbalances in opposite gender couples, the purpose of this paper was to better understand how health issues interact with power imbalances in couples to influence individual and couple well-being. Our results highlight that feeling powerless in one’s relationship takes a uniquely intense toll on relationship satisfaction for women who are in poor health. Practitioners working with couples where one or both partners is in poor health should attune to power dynamics to ensure that treatment is promoting individual and couple well-being for both men and women.

KEYWORDS:

• Power imbalances
• health stressors
• individual and couple outcomes
• wellbeing