TY - JOUR PY - 2012// TI - Psychological distress and subjective well-being in partners of somatically ill or physically disabled: the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study JO - Scandinavian journal of psychology A1 - Borren, Ingrid A1 - Tambs, Kristian A1 - Idstad, Mariann A1 - Ask, Helga A1 - Sundet, Jon Martin SP - 475 EP - 482 VL - 53 IS - 6 N2 - This study investigated the cross-sectional associations between various somatic conditions in one partner and the level of distress and well-being in the spouse. The study is based on survey data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, HUNT II (1995-1997). A sample of 9,797 married or cohabiting couples with valid data on subjective well-being (SWB), psychological distress (Hopkins Symptom Check List (SCL)-10) and somatic illness were identified. Regression analyses stratified by sex were conducted with SCL-10 and SWB scores as dependent variables and a joint somatic score as predictor, including; stroke, cancer, angina, myocardial infarction and physical disability (PD). The contribution of each somatic condition was also explored. Spouses of persons previously diagnosed with at least one somatic condition scored significantly lower on SWB and significantly higher on SCL-10 than spouses of healthy persons, though effect sizes were small. The effect seems to be at least partly mediated by the ill partner's psychological distress. Of the specific conditions, PD had the most significant contribution for both genders, though an association between male angina and spousal distress/SWB was also demonstrated.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0036-5564 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12009 ID - ref1 ER -