Motivations for spousal involvement in a partner’s diabetes management

In this study, I addressed a gap in the literature by examining why spouses were involved in their partner’s diabetes management and whether these motivations were related to how and how much spouses are involved in the form of diet-related social support and control. In addition, I attempted to further understand if associations differed by gender. There were 148 married participants in this study, who had partners over the age of 50 with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Spouses independently completed an online self-report questionnaire. There were 74 male (M = 65.38 years, 52.7% White) and 74 female (M = 65.70 years, 86.5% White) spouses included in this study. To assess motivations for spousal involvement in a partner’s diabetes management, a 14-item measure was used, with four subscales: 1) love/concern/interdependence, 2) obligation, 3) self-benefit, and 4) needy/incapable partner. Three types of diet-related spousal involvement were examined: 1) diet-related social support; 2) diet-related spousal persuasion; and 3) diet-related spousal pressure. Results revealed that spouses indicated being most motivated to be involved in their partners’ diabetes management out of love, concern, and interdependence (91.8%) and least likely to be involved because of self-benefit (50.0%). Although there were few gender differences overall, men were more likely than women to being motivated to be involved in their partners’ disease management for specific reasons. In addition, all types of motivation were related to the frequency of providing spousal support, whereas only three out of the four motivations were related to the frequency of exerting social control (both persuasion and pressure). These associations did not differ by gender, however. Implications of findings for couples-oriented interventions are discussed. Keywords: diabetes, gender, marriage, motivations, health-related social support, health-related social control.M.A.Includes bibliographical reference