Couple Coping and Adjustment to Multiple Sclerosis in Care Receiver-Carer Dyads

The present study examined the utility of coping congruency and the average level of couple coping, in explaining adjustment to multiple sclerosis (MS) in care receiver-carer dyads. Forty-five dyads were interviewed and completed questionnaires at Time 1 and 12 months later; Time 2. Dependent variables included Time 2 collective distress and individual adjustment. Predictors included Time I illness, caregiving, and coping variables. Findings support the utility of both the coping congruence and average level of couple coping concepts in explaining collective and individual adjustment in care receiver-carer dyads.