A relationship-focused investigation of spousal psychological adjustment to dual-sensory loss

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The relationship intimacy model of psychosocial adjustment to illness indicates that a patient's willingness to communicate about their illness, as perceived by the spouse, is a strong predictor of spouse relational and psychological well-being. Inspired by the relationship intimacy model, the current study examined the psychological adjustment of spouses of individuals with dual-sensory loss (DSL), a disability where interpersonal communication is of particular concern.

Method: Surveys were sent to all known individuals and their partners who were 50 years of age or older and were enrolled in services for acquired DSL in Denmark. A total of 65 spouses met the inclusion criteria of which 45 (69%) returned a partner survey.

Results: Results showed a significant association between couples’ sensory loss-related communication, relationship satisfaction, perceived support and psychological well-being. Perceived support significantly mediated the association between couples’ sensory loss communication and spouse psychological well-being.

Conclusion: The current study's findings provide support for a relationship-focused perspective of spousal psychological adjustment in the context of DSL. Further, couples’ sensory loss-related communication is presented as a potential intervention target to enhance spouse perceived support and psychological well-being.

KEYWORDS:

• Dual-sensory loss
• illness communication
• relationship satisfaction
• caregiver spouse
• psychological well-being

Acknowledgments

This study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Review Board of the Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the VELUX Foundation [grant number VELUX33847].