Diabetes stress contagion among romantic partners: a daily diary investigation

We examined the extent to which romantic partners of PWD (n = 199) identified their most significant daily stressor as diabetes-related (i.e., partner diabetes stress) using a 14-day daily diary design. Utilizing a communal coping framework, we examined appraisal and communication as predictors of partner diabetes stress and examined links of partner di abetes stress to supportive/unsupportive behavior and mood by assessing each construct daily. We also examined whether a survey measure of partner anxious attachment moderated these links. Results showed that viewing diabetes as a shared problem and greater diabetes communication were associated wit h greater partner diabetes stress. Partner diabetes stress was linked to partner provision of greater supportive and unsupportive behavior—especially so for anxiously attached partners. Importantly, partner diabetes stress was not linked to mood for PWDs or partners.
Source: Journal of Behavioral Medicine - Category: Psychiatry Source Type: research