Joan K Monin1, Holly Laws2, Evelyne Gahbauer3, Terrence E Murphy3, Thomas M Gill3. 1. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut. 2. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst. 3. Department of Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Few studies have examined spousal influences on disability in late-life marriage, and no prior study has examined these associations using monthly data. Drawing from interdependence theory, we hypothesized that one spouse currently having higher disability would be positively associated with their partner having higher disability in the next month. We also examined whether participants were at risk for increased disability when both spouses had higher prior disability. In addition, we examined gender differences in spousal associations. METHOD: Data were from 37 married couples in the Precipitating Events Project, an ongoing longitudinal study of 754 initially nondisabled adults aged 70 years and older. Assessments included monthly disability (13 basic, instrumental, and mobility activities of daily living) and demographics. RESULTS: As hypothesized, higher disability in one spouse was positively associated with higher subsequent disability in their partner. Also, wives with higher disability were especially vulnerable to subsequent increased disability when husbands had higher disability. DISCUSSION: Incorporating a spouse's current disability level in modeling older adults' subsequent disability provides additional predictive information. Wives with greater disability may be at a particularly high risk of accelerated decline when their husbands have greater disability.
OBJECTIVES: Few studies have examined spousal influences on disability in late-life marriage, and no prior study has examined these associations using monthly data. Drawing from interdependence theory, we hypothesized that one spouse currently having higher disability would be positively associated with their partner having higher disability in the next month. We also examined whether participants were at risk for increased disability when both spouses had higher prior disability. In addition, we examined gender differences in spousal associations. METHOD: Data were from 37 married couples in the Precipitating Events Project, an ongoing longitudinal study of 754 initially nondisabled adults aged 70 years and older. Assessments included monthly disability (13 basic, instrumental, and mobility activities of daily living) and demographics. RESULTS: As hypothesized, higher disability in one spouse was positively associated with higher subsequent disability in their partner. Also, wives with higher disability were especially vulnerable to subsequent increased disability when husbands had higher disability. DISCUSSION: Incorporating a spouse's current disability level in modeling older adults' subsequent disability provides additional predictive information. Wives with greater disability may be at a particularly high risk of accelerated decline when their husbands have greater disability.
Authors: Thomas M Gill; Ling Han; Linda Leo-Summers; Evelyne A Gahbauer; Heather G Allore Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2017-09-12 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: C J Presley; Ling Han; Linda Leo-Summers; Arti Hurria; Cary P Gross; Amy J Davidoff; Heather G Allore; Thomas M Gill Journal: J Geriatr Oncol Date: 2018-06-22 Impact factor: 3.599