Relationship Dynamics of Couples Facing Advanced-Stage Parkinson's Disease: A Dyadic Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Background/ObjectiveSeveral studies have examined the impact of Parkinson's disease (PD) on the quality of couples' relationships. To date, few studies have explored how couples experience their relationship dynamic by taking into account the disease stage. The objectives of this study were to understand the experience of each partner and to study the mechanisms that underlie their couple organization in the advanced stage of PD. MethodsSemistructured individual interviews conducted with fifteen patients and their partners were the subject of a dyadic interpretative phenomenological analysis. ResultsThree themes were identified from the analysis: the first, A Closeness That Separates, allows the identification of different patterns of interactions that lead to emotional distancing between the partners; the second, The Adversity Is Not Unbearable, But Going It Alone Would Be, emphasizes the importance of how the assisting partner provides support; and the third, Be Prepared for Anything and Facing an Uncertain Future, reveals the extent and modes of the dyadic regulation of the emotions linked to what the future may hold. ConclusionPsychological support is important to help couples express both their feelings and their respective needs in the evolving context of PD.

Automated summary

This study explored the experience of couples in the advanced stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) and identified three themes: the impact of closeness on emotional distancing, the importance of support from the assisting partner, and the dyadic regulation of emotions linked to the future.