The Relationship between Intimate Partner Relationship Quality and Health Outcomes for Filial Caregivers

Abstract

This study examines the associations between the quality of adult filial caregivers’ intimate partner relationships and health behaviors, mental health, and physical health using structural equation modeling. Secondary data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States were used to examine the health outcomes of adults (n = 224) who reported caregiving for a parent or parent-in-law in the past 12 months. Results indicated a significant mediation effect of close intimate partner relationship quality and physical health, through mental health; health behaviors did not produce a significant mediation effect.

Keywords:

• Caregiving
• marriage/couple relationship functioning
• family relationship quality

Notes on contributors

Erica N. Carpenter holds a Ph.D. in Family Therapy from Texas Woman’s University and is currently adjunct faculty at Texas Woman’s University.

Erica has presented the results of this study as a poster at the 2018 Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks given to Dr. Sarah Woods for her support throughout this project.