Exploring the impact of multiple sclerosis on couples: A pilot study

Blank, Carolyn Wilkens; Finlayson, Marcia

doi:10.1177/000841740707400201

Cited by 16 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Much of the literature regarding couples where one person has MS explores how couples cope with uncertainty regarding their future (Bogosian et al, 2009;Strickland et al, 2015), adapt and adjust to the illness and the changes it brings (Blank & Finlayson, 2007;Boland, Levack, Hudson, & Bell, 2012;Courts, Newton, & McNeal, 2005), and how partners transition to caring roles. The themes arising from these qualitative explorations therefore usually reflect uncertainty, adaptation and transition, and their impact on relationships.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the path together: Experiences of partners of people with multiple sclerosis of the impact of lifestyle modification on their relationship

Neate

Taylor

Jelinek

et al. 2019

Health Soc Care Community

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a major impact on the relationship of couples living with the illness. Although some positives of dealing with MS as a couple have been identified, MS has been associated with higher rates of relationship breakdown and worse Quality of Life (QOL) for both people in the relationship, especially if the person with MS experiences a decline in mental or physical health or develops disability. Modification of lifestyle‐related risk factors has been associated with improved outcomes for people with MS, including physical and mental health‐related QOL, and these improved outcomes may lead to improved experiences for their partners. We aimed to explore the perspectives and experiences of the partners of people with MS, when the people with MS had undertaken an intensive residential workshop regarding healthy lifestyle, to understand the impact of MS and lifestyle modification on these partners’ experiences of their relationship. Within the framework of Heidegger's interpretive phenomenology, semi‐structured interviews were thematically analysed. Participants were in a spousal relationship with people with MS who had attended an intensive residential workshop regarding modification of lifestyle‐related risk factors between 2002 and 2016. Participants lived in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe. Three major themes were identified relating to the couple's relationships: providing support, remaining connected and togetherness. Aspects of these themes, not commonly previously reported, included the personal and relationship benefits experienced from providing support with lifestyle modification, improved communication, and the resultant greater sense of closeness. These experiences of partners of people with MS improve our understanding of both the complexities of living with MS and adopting lifestyle modification, and suggest some potential benefits to relationships.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the path together: Experiences of partners of people with multiple sclerosis of the impact of lifestyle modification on their relationship

Neate

Taylor

Jelinek

et al. 2019

Health Soc Care Community

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“…The spouse studies examined the following areas: immune response (32); experience of care giving (33)(34)(35)(36)(37); psychological outcomes and QOL, including marital satisfaction (38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43). Both qualitative (n = 6) and quantitative (n = 6) approaches were utilized, and together, they provide insight regarding the spousal dimension of care-giving and suggest that spouse carers have particular needs.…”

Section: Spouse Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Carer burden. Only one small‐scale qualitative study (33) (n = 2) explored spousal care burden, and therefore, the transferability of the findings is limited. Time restrictions and restrictions in development with respect to peers were highlight as issues of concern.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The needs of carers of people with multiple sclerosis: a literature review

Corry

While

2009

Scandinavian Caring Sciences

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People with multiple sclerosis depend heavily upon their families and other informal carers as they receive limited support from health-care professionals or health-care services. Adopting the carer role results in a life-changing experience, which may bring rewards and challenges to the carer. This paper reviews the research addressing the experiences of carers of people with multiple sclerosis published between 2002 and 2007 building upon an earlier review. The literature suggests that carers have needs across various domains and that spouses/partners have particular needs. Much of the evidence has limited generalizibility although the geographical spread of the evidence indicates considerable consistency of need. The review describes ongoing carer needs which require supportive care and provides the basis for the development and testing of carer interventions for use by health-care professionals.

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“…), which are summarised in Appendix . Two papers were excluded from the synthesis as they were deemed irrelevant . Their focus was too narrow, on advanced care directives and coping strategies .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Our disease: a qualitative meta‐synthesis of the experiences of spousal/partner caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis

Appleton

Robertson

Mitchell³

et al. 2018

Scandinavian Caring Sciences

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Exploring the impact of multiple sclerosis on couples: A pilot study

Abstract: These findings offer occupational therapists guidance with their treatment focus in clinical practice and suggest topics for further qualitative research on couples living with MS.

Cited by 16 publications

References 24 publications

On the path together: Experiences of partners of people with multiple sclerosis of the impact of lifestyle modification on their relationship

On the path together: Experiences of partners of people with multiple sclerosis of the impact of lifestyle modification on their relationship

The needs of carers of people with multiple sclerosis: a literature review

Our disease: a qualitative meta‐synthesis of the experiences of spousal/partner caregivers of people with multiple sclerosis

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