Differences in Dyadic Coping Between Couples Facing Early-Stage Dementia Compared with Couples Facing a Visual Impairment and Healthy Couples

Abstract

The concept of dyadic coping (DC) describes ways in which couples cope with stress together, including, for example, supportive DC (i.e., supporting a partner’s individual coping efforts) or delegated DC (i.e., taking over tasks from one’s partner). Previous research has primarily focused on DC in relation to chronic physical illnesses, foremost cancer. However, stress related to neurocognitive or physical conditions differs with regard to symptoms, course of progression, and associated psychological and social challenges. The current study aims to examine how DC in individuals with early-stage dementia differs from DC in individuals with a visual impairment or in a healthy condition, as well as how DC differs between their partners. Data from two studies were first matched with a sample of couples facing early-stage dementia (n = 37). Couples facing a visual impairment and healthy couples served as control groups. The Dyadic Coping Inventory was used to assess the DC exchanged. Analyses of variance and covariance as well as post hoc tests were used to test for differences in DC. Results show that partners of persons with early-stage dementia report receiving less supportive DC than partners in couples facing a visual impairment or healthy couples, as well as less delegated DC than partners in healthy couples. We did not find any differences on any DC domains in the persons with early-stage dementia compared to persons with visual impairment or persons in healthy couples. This study shows that DC of partners in couples facing early-stage dementia differs from partners in couples facing a visual impairment or healthy couples. Partners should avoid overprotective behaviors that could diminish the sense of self-efficacy of the person with early-stage dementia. Besides methodological suggestions, suggestions are made how tailored interventions, like facilitating participation and portioning tasks, may help improve DC, relationship functioning, and mental health.