Relational Factors Associated With Depressive Symptoms Among Stroke Survivor-Spouse Dyads

Abstract

Depression following stroke is a major problem for survivors and spouses, but few studies have focused on the experiences of couples. This study investigates associations between perceived relationship quality, communication and coping patterns, interpersonal misunderstandings and expectations, and survivors’ and spouses’ depressive symptoms after controlling for sociodemographic and proximal factors. It also compares the relative strength of these associations between partners to identify shared versus unique correlates of depressive symptoms. This study adds to a thus far underdeveloped literature about the range of factors that affect partners’ psychosocial adjustment to stroke. Implications for practice, research, and theory are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• couples
• coping
• stroke
• depression

Notes

Note. ADL = activities of daily living; Sur. = survivor; Sps. = spouse.

Note. Survivor r values appear below the diagonal. Spouse r values appear above the diagonal.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.

Note. Partial correlations controlling for participant age and gender and survivor functioning.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001.