Features of Illness Versus Features of Romantic Relationships as Predictors of Cognitive and Behavioral Coping Among Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

For individuals with a chronic illness, such as type 2 diabetes, a multitude of factors may influence the ways people cope with their condition. This study compares characteristics of the illness and characteristics of a patient's romantic relationship as factors that predict coping behaviors for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Specifically, we identify illness uncertainty as a feature of chronic illness, as well as relational uncertainty and interference from partners as relationship characteristics that are associated with coping behaviors. Using Amazon Mechanical Turk, we recruited 500 participants who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and involved in a romantic relationship to complete an online survey about the ways they manage their illness in the context of their relationship. Structural equation model results showed that relational uncertainty and partner interference were both positively associated with the perceived threat of discussing the illness, whereas the effect for illness uncertainty was nonsignificant; thus, relationship characteristics were a more robust predictor of perceived threat than illness characteristics. In turn, the perceived threat of discussing the illness was negatively associated with treatment compliance and positively associated with topic avoidance about the illness. Treatment compliance was also negatively associated with topic avoidance. Implications for health and relationships are discussed.

The role of identity uncertainty in predicting relational turbulence and perceived partner communication for women coping with infertility

“…Two paths were added to the model to achieve satisfactory fit. The first was a positive association between self uncertainty and partner interference, which is consistent with other empirical tests of relational turbulence theory (e.g., Leustek & Theiss, 2018) and the theory’s reasoning given that the relationship mechanisms are intercorrelated (Solomon et al, 2016). The second was a negative association between partner facilitation and perceived partner communication, which is reasonable given that partners who are facilitating personal goals are likely communicating in ways that are helpful, supportive, and sensitive.

Figure 2.Fitted model.

…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on same-sex couples’ conflict avoidance, relational quality, and mental health

“…The COVID-19 pandemic has also evoked heightened uncertainty over close relationships and people's own health (Satici et al, 2020). Greater relational uncertainty and illness uncertainty have been linked to higher perceived threat of sensitive conversations and more topic avoidance (Leustek & Theiss, 2018). Likewise, the increased COVID-19 related uncertainty may encourage complaint avoidance as people worry about the negative outcomes of confrontations.…”

Communication Strategies and Resources for Health and Fitness Professionals to Minimize Diabetes-Related Social Stigma

“…In one study, a participant labeled diabetes as the “blame and shame disease” (28). Leustek and Theiss (33) found that individuals living with diabetes worried about being ostracized, monitored, and discriminated against, which can preclude illness disclosure and exacerbate topic avoidance and behavioral noncompliance with treatment recommendations. Furthermore, individuals with higher body weight can be disproportionately affected by diabetes stigma because of weight stigma and antifat bias (34).…”