Correlates of diet-related spousal involvement among both members of couples managing diabetes.

This study accordingly focused on the behavioral and emotional correlates of the receipt and provision of diet-related spousal support and control among both members of couples managing type 2 diabetes. Method: Both members of middle-aged and older adult married couples (N = 296) in which at least one member had type 2 diabetes completed an online survey. Data were analyzed using multilevel models that controlled for sociodemographic and disease characteristics. Results: The only patient status difference in any of the key variables was that spouses reported more diabetes distress than patients themselves. Receiving more frequent support was related to a healthier diet, whereas receiving more frequent pressure was related to an unhealthier diet. Providing more frequent support and persuasion were related to a healthier diet, but only among spouses without diabetes. Finally, the more frequent provision of all types of diet-related involvement was related to greater diabetes distress. Discussion: Patient status did not seem especially relevant in understanding correlates of diet-related spousal involvement. Findings highlight the importance of examining and focusing intervention efforts on both members of a couple in later life when chronic conditions requiring dietary changes are prevalent. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Source: Families, Systems, and Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research