Adjustment to Mild Cognitive Impairment: Perspectives of Male Care Partners and Their Spouses

Abstract

The authors explored changes in couple dynamics in the context of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Guided by family systems theory and the biopsychosocial model, they used grounded theory methods to examine how 11 couples perceived change in their relationships when husbands were primary care partners for their wives with MCI. Analysis revealed four major themes: (a) care partnering is like working, (b) care partnering influences interpersonal dynamics, (c) care partnering shifts roles, and (d) care partnering modifies social relations. Findings point to the usefulness of systemic therapies and interventions for helping couples adjust to the behavioral manifestations of MCI.

KEYWORDS:

• couple therapy
• family therapy
• male caregivers
• mild cognitive impairment
• narrative therapy
• spousal caregiving
• systems theory

Notes

1. We have modified the original authors’ conceptualization of S2 sequences, which spanned a period of 1 day to 1 week.