TY - JOUR
T1 - Couples Living With Cardiovascular Disease
T2 - Effects on the Marital Relationship
AU - Pretter, Sheindy
AU - Raveis, Victoria H.
AU - Carrero, Monique
AU - Maurer, Mathew S.
PY - 2014/1
Y1 - 2014/1
N2 - The stress of living with cardiac disease can affect a couple's marriage, transforming its character. This article examines the psychosocial impact of cardiovascular disease, delineating the ways in which the illness experience changes the marital relationship. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 23 spouses of patients (mean age 56) diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to content analysis. Two overarching dimensions emerged, depicting positive and negative effects on the marriage. Ongoing care for cardiac patients should include a focus on spousal caregivers, supporting both members of the couple as they jointly face challenges engendered by the illness.
AB - The stress of living with cardiac disease can affect a couple's marriage, transforming its character. This article examines the psychosocial impact of cardiovascular disease, delineating the ways in which the illness experience changes the marital relationship. In-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with 23 spouses of patients (mean age 56) diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to content analysis. Two overarching dimensions emerged, depicting positive and negative effects on the marriage. Ongoing care for cardiac patients should include a focus on spousal caregivers, supporting both members of the couple as they jointly face challenges engendered by the illness.
KW - cardiovascular disease
KW - caregivers
KW - couples
KW - marital relationship
KW - qualitative
KW - stress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84893967702&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84893967702&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/10522158.2013.865288
DO - 10.1080/10522158.2013.865288
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84893967702
SN - 1052-2158
VL - 17
SP - 21
EP - 36
JO - Journal of Family Social Work
JF - Journal of Family Social Work
IS - 1
ER -