IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH: THE IMPACT OF ILLNESS ON COUPLES' RELATIONSHIPS

TLDR

Illness or disability often creates structural and emotional imbalances in couples' relationships. The study proposes a preventive framework that targets intimacy and communication issues to counteract dysfunctional patterns and help couples rebalance. The framework outlines ten key skews—problem ownership, boundary issues, patient‑caregiver roles, togetherness/separateness, psychosocial recovery, cognitive impairment, gender, sexuality, belief systems, and life cycle—and notes specific dilemmas for gay and lesbian couples. Addressing these skews promotes couples' resilience when confronting loss.

Abstract

When illness or disability strikes a couple's relationship, a number of significant structural and emotional skews are likely. A normative, preventive framework that addresses the special strains on couples can counteract dysfunctional relationship patterns and enhance opportunities for increased intimacy. This paper addresses key issues regarding intimacy and communication and then identifies key skews and treatment priorities to help couples rebalance their relationship. These include skews regarding (a) whose problem it is, (b) boundary issues, (c) patient‐caregiver roles, (d) togetherness/separateness, (e) psychosocial recovery, (f) cognitive impairment, (g) gender, (h) sexuality, (i) belief systems, and (j) life cycle. Particular dilemmas for gay and lesbian relationships are noted. Dealing with these skews can promote a couple's resilience in the face of loss