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Spirituality and Relationship: A Holistic Analysis of How Couples Cope With Diabetes
Author(s) -
Cattich John,
KnudsonMartin Carmen
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2008.00105.x
Subject(s) - spirituality , coping (psychology) , psychology , individualism , social psychology , meaning (existential) , qualitative research , psychotherapist , developmental psychology , sociology , medicine , alternative medicine , social science , pathology , political science , law
This study explores how couples’ spirituality and relationship processes holistically interact to inform diabetes management. Qualitative analysis of interviews with 20 heterosexual couples identified five spiritual coping styles based on the spiritual meaning they ascribed to the situation and the nature of their relationships with God and each other: (a) opportunists approach the illness as an opportunity for growth; (b) mutual problem solvers collaborate with their partners to respond to their disease; (c) individualistic problem solvers take personal responsibility for managing their disease; (d) accepters endure their disease; and (e) victims take a hopeless, discouraged approach. Results suggest that spirituality and couple communication and problem‐solving patterns appear intertwined and integral to the practice of family therapy.