Congruence in Uncertainty Between Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Spouses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the perception of illness uncertainty between husband and wife and to explore how these differences influence emotional well-being. Mood and family satisfaction were used as indicators of emotional well-being. The sample consisted of sixty-one married couples in which one spouse had multiple sclerosis. Results supported that both individual perceptions of illness uncertainty and congruence in perceived uncertainty between spouses may have negative effects on marital partners. For both spouses, those who reported higher levels of uncertainty were more likely to have lower moods and feel more dissatisfied with family life. However, the most crucial factor in determining family satisfaction for spouses with multiple sclerosis was their own perception of illness uncertainty, while for well spouses, it was the congruence between each partner's perception of the illness uncertainty.