Patient and partner adaptation to illness: A network analysis of the relationships of illness perceptions to well-being in cardiovascular disease

This paper reports two prospective studies using psychological network analysis to explore how couples adapt to cardiovascular disease. Study 1 examined the relationships among three illness perceptions (i.e., illness acceptance, helplessness, and benefit-finding) and symptoms of anxiety and depression in 75 couples. Study 2 examined the interconnections among three other illness perceptions (i.e., personal control, treatment control, and illness consequences) and physical and psychological well-being in 104 couples. The findings show that patient and partner illness perceptions are strongly interrelated, while patient and partner well-being are also closely connected. Patient and spouse illness perceptions were linked to well-being through a rich network of direct and indirect connections. Central variables involved a sense of control and the emotional impact of illness. The findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of dyadic adaptation to illness and identify key factors/processes that could support improved adaptation for both patients and their partners.