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Quality of life in couples living with Huntington's disease: the role of patients' and partners' illness perceptions.

Authors :
Kaptein AA
Scharloo M
Helder DI
Snoei L
van Kempen GM
Weinman J
van Houwelingen JC
Roos RA
Source :
Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation [Qual Life Res] 2007 Jun; Vol. 16 (5), pp. 793-801. Date of Electronic Publication: 2007 Mar 21.
Publication Year :
2007

Abstract

Research suggests that chronically ill patients and their partners perceive illness differently, and that these differences have a negative impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). This study assessed whether illness perceptions of patients with Huntington's disease (HD) differ from those of their partners, and examined whether spousal illness perceptions are important for the QoL of the couples (n = 51 couples). Partners reported that their HD-patient spouses suffered more symptoms and experienced less control than the patients themselves reported. Illness perceptions of patients and partners correlated significantly with patient QoL. Partners' beliefs in a long duration of the patients' illness and less belief in cure, were associated with patient vitality scores. Suggestions for future research emphasize the importance of qualitative research approaches in combination with cognitive-behavioural approaches.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0962-9343
Volume :
16
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Quality of life research : an international journal of quality of life aspects of treatment, care and rehabilitation
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
17375373
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-007-9194-4