Objective: The present research aims to understand the dyadic functioning of couples faced with Parkinson’s disease (PD) considering disease progression.

Background: PD has detrimental effects on the patients’ quality of life and their loved ones (e.g., Martinez-Martin et al., 2012). However, to date, little is known about the PD impact on the couple functioning (Martin, 2016).

Method: Thirty partners were interviewed separately in order to collect their personal experience of PD. The interview transcription data were analyzed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method (Smith et al., 2009). IPA ensures exploring the experiences of each partner, the differences between each partner’s experiences and their points of divergence and convergence.

Results: The couples’experience with PD was conceptualized into two themes. The first theme called “The gap between us is growing” highlight the partners’ feeling to be tied one to another, creating an emotional disconnection in the couple relationship. This process would be associated with the prospect of a dark future for both partners. The second theme called “When the disease progression creates a loss of balance in our couple” refers to the worsening of the chronic symptoms that create an imbalance in the couple, which would crystalize the partners’ position statement in their couple relationship, i.e., accentuation of the patient’s and caregiver’s role. This process would lead couples to cling to an illusory hope with the possibility of the neurostimulation.

Conclusion: Results will be discussed regarding their clinical implications in order to propose couple interventions that are adapted to the needs of the patients and their partners, both at the individual and dyadic level.

References: Martinez-Martin, P., Rodriguez-Blazquez, C., & Forjaz, M. J. (2012). Quality of life and burden in caregivers for patients with Parkinson’s disease: concepts, assessment and related factors. Expert Review of Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research, 12, 221-230. Martin, S. C. (2016). Relational Issues Within Couples Coping With Parkinsons Disease: Implications and Ideas for Family- Focused Care. Journal of Family Nursing, 22, 224-251. Smith, J. A, Flowers, P. & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. London: SAGE.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/dyadic-analysis-of-the-parkinsons-disease-impact-on-the-patient-spouse-couple/