Dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses: a qualitative study
Purpose Dyadic coping interventions alleviate emotional problems in patients and families with a variety of chronic illnesses. Current coping research on depression focuses mainly on the individual level. This study examined the experiences of people with depression and their spouses, using a dyadic...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2503565 |
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| author | Xiaoli Cheng Liping Liu Shifen Ni Chuansu Li Hongyin Zhang Bo Mao Jing Zeng |
| author_facet | Xiaoli Cheng Liping Liu Shifen Ni Chuansu Li Hongyin Zhang Bo Mao Jing Zeng |
| author_sort | Xiaoli Cheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose Dyadic coping interventions alleviate emotional problems in patients and families with a variety of chronic illnesses. Current coping research on depression focuses mainly on the individual level. This study examined the experiences of people with depression and their spouses, using a dyadic coping perspective to support the implementation of a targeted dyadic intervention. Method Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with patients with depression and their spouses. The data were organized and analysed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results The experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses were categorized into four themes and 12 subthemes: delays in medical care (delays in medical decision-making, delays in in-hospital care), spousal maladjustment (perceived stress of the illness, role conflict, negative emotions), coexistence of positive and negative dyadic coping strategies (shared coping, positive communication, emotional support, negative communication, overprotectiveness), and confusion and needs (fear of illness prognosis, desire for continuity of care). Conclusion Healthcare professionals should promote positive dyadic coping among individuals with depression and their spouses while caring for depressive illnesses. They should strengthen individuals’ knowledge of the disease, attend to spouses’ physical and mental health, explore couple-centred dyadic intervention strategies, and improve continuity in the healthcare system. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f7790f230464af7a5a1fa93b57dd1c8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1748-2623 1748-2631 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f7790f230464af7a5a1fa93b57dd1c82025-08-20T02:30:05ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being1748-26231748-26312025-12-0120110.1080/17482631.2025.25035652503565Dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses: a qualitative studyXiaoli Cheng0Liping Liu1Shifen Ni2Chuansu Li3Hongyin Zhang4Bo Mao5Jing Zeng6The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityThe First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityPurpose Dyadic coping interventions alleviate emotional problems in patients and families with a variety of chronic illnesses. Current coping research on depression focuses mainly on the individual level. This study examined the experiences of people with depression and their spouses, using a dyadic coping perspective to support the implementation of a targeted dyadic intervention. Method Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with patients with depression and their spouses. The data were organized and analysed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results The experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses were categorized into four themes and 12 subthemes: delays in medical care (delays in medical decision-making, delays in in-hospital care), spousal maladjustment (perceived stress of the illness, role conflict, negative emotions), coexistence of positive and negative dyadic coping strategies (shared coping, positive communication, emotional support, negative communication, overprotectiveness), and confusion and needs (fear of illness prognosis, desire for continuity of care). Conclusion Healthcare professionals should promote positive dyadic coping among individuals with depression and their spouses while caring for depressive illnesses. They should strengthen individuals’ knowledge of the disease, attend to spouses’ physical and mental health, explore couple-centred dyadic intervention strategies, and improve continuity in the healthcare system.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2503565dyadic copingdepressionspousecaregivingqualitative study |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoli Cheng Liping Liu Shifen Ni Chuansu Li Hongyin Zhang Bo Mao Jing Zeng Dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses: a qualitative study International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health & Well-Being dyadic coping depression spouse caregiving qualitative study |
| title | Dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | dualistic perspectives on illness coping experiences of individuals with depression and their spouses a qualitative study |
| topic | dyadic coping depression spouse caregiving qualitative study |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2025.2503565 |
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