SEVERITY OF ILLNESS AS A PREDICTOR OF RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION AMONG CHRONIC DIABETIC PATIENTS AND THEIR NON-DIABETIC PARTNERS: MODERATING ROLE OF DYADIC COPING

Abstract

Chronic illness affects patients as well as close relations. The research question examined the relationship between illness perceptions of diabetic patients and their non-diabetic partners and the relationships between the perceptions and relationship satisfaction, and the moderating role of dyadic coping. Based on 166 respondents (83 couples), respondents were given measures of illness perception, dyadic coping, and relationship satisfaction. Regression analyses revealed that the more negative the views of the illness were, the lower the relationship satisfaction of both partners. Dyadic coping also acted as a moderator in a few models: increased amounts of dyadic coping decreased the adverse effects of illness perception on relationship satisfaction, both in patients and in partners assessing the illness of the patient. The simple slope analyses indicated a stronger negative illness perception to lower satisfaction. The evidence shows the significance of relational processes in chronic illness adaptation. Enhancement of dyadic coping should be the way to reduce relational strain and improve the overall relationship well-being among diabetic couples especially in collectivist society whereby interdependence determines the coping style.