Couples Living with Chronic Migraines: A Phenomenological Study

AbstractChronic migraine (CM) is a leading cause of disability, worldwide. Research examining the systemic effects of CM is scant. Specifically, little is understood about the effects of migraine on CM patients ’ partners. Furthermore, the relational experiences of couples who deal with CM has been largely unexplored. Coming to better understand the systemic effects of migraine on couple relationships could enable more holistic biopsychosocial care for CM patients and their families. We utilized a phenom enological approach to study the CM experience in the context of couple relationships. We conducted dyadic interviews with eight chronic migraine patients and their partners about their experiences dealing with CM (N  =  16). Six of the eight partners in our sample were also interviewed individually about their experience (14 interviews total). Data were gathered and analyzed using an iterative process. A team of seven researchers utilized an immersion/crystallization technique to analyze the data. Three major th emes emerged from the analyses: (1) burdens and costs of migraines on partners, (2) coping with CM for partners, and (3) couple experience. Findings indicated that: partners of CM patients experience caregiving burdens; accepting the disorder’s burdens and long-term presence appears to vitally imp rove coping for CM patients and partners alike; and couples dealing with CM experience both balance and imbalance in the perceived relational giving and taking that...
Source: Contemporary Family Therapy - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research