Perceptions of couplehood among community-dwelling spousal caregivers

Abstract

Objective: Spousal caregiving is increasingly common, and it is a role that can alter the nature of marriage in later life. Some may find spousal caregiving to be distressing, while others may have more positive experiences. Spousal caregiving, in particular, may be difficult due to caregiver burden as well as a loss of couplehood within the relationship. The current study used grounded theory methods to better understand the experience of and changes in couplehood among spousal caregivers.

Method: Thirteen spousal caregivers completed semi-structured interviews. Spousal caregivers ranged in age from 53 to 85 (mean age = 66.00, SD = 9.04).

Results: Qualitative analysis revealed four major themes upon evaluation of the interviews (couplehood, positive mindset, later life roles and transitions, and looking towards the future).

Conclusion: These themes exemplified the complex interplay of couplehood and caregiving as well as the range of perceptions of couplehood. Results showed that while some caregivers struggle to find meaning and happiness within their caregiver role, and others said the illness/impairment bonded them together. Caregivers who reported a low sense couplehood discussed feeling trapped in their relationship, sad, and isolated. For some caregivers, a strong sense of couplehood may have helped them reframe the experience as an opportunity to be a role model for others and a reminder that their situation could be worse. Future research should focus on pre-illness couplehood and whether the nature of the impairment (e.g., cognitive, physical) is related to caregiver’s couplehood.

Keywords:

• Couplehood
• qualitative
• spousal caregiver
• caregiving
• older adult
• community dwelling

Acknowledgements

The researchers would also like to thank the spousal caregivers who participated in this research project and Elizabeth Ossoff, Ph.D. for her guidance and support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the New Hampshire Network of Biomedical Research Excellence Institutional Development Award (P20GM103506) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institute of Health.