The Influence of Osteoporosis on the Marital Relationship of Older Couples
Keywords
osteoporosis; vertebral fracture; psychosocial factors; spouses; older women
Abstract
Thirty-four older wives and their husbands participated in interviews about adaptation to the wives’ osteoporosis and its influence on their relationship. For most couples, the wives’ osteoporosis resulted in changes in the structure of their marital relationship but not the overall quality of the marriage. Discrepancies in pain perceptions were associated with lower marital adjustment for wives but not for husbands. The findings suggest the need to focus on the dynamics of the marital relationship to understand chronic illness in late-life families.
Original Publication Citation
Roberto, K.A., Gold, D.T., & Yorgason, J.B. (2004). Chronic illness and marital relationships: The influence of osteoporosis on the lives of older couples. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 23(4), 443-456. doi:10.1177/0733464804270856
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Roberto, Karen A.; Gold, Deborah T.; and Yorgason, Jeremy B., "The Influence of Osteoporosis on the Marital Relationship of Older Couples" (2004). Faculty Publications. 4817.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/4817
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2004-12-01
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7622
Publisher
Journal of Applied Gerontology
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Family Life
Copyright Use Information
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