Predictors of collaborative coping in couples managing type 2 diabetes: Illness factors, relationship factors, and interdependent personality traits

Abstract

Past work has revealed benefits for both persons with diabetes (PWD) and their partners (e.g., spouses) when engaging in collaborative coping to manage a chronic illness, yet little is known about predictors of this type of dyadic coping. Based on conceptual frameworks on communal and dyadic coping, we sought to examine how illness factors, relationship factors, and interdependent personality traits predicted the frequency of collaborative coping among couples managing type 2 diabetes, and whether role (PWD vs. partner) moderated the associations. Cross-sectional survey data from 296 older adults ( N = 148 different-sex couples) were analyzed. Multilevel models examined both linear and nonlinear associations between each factor and collaborative coping, controlling for race/ethnicity. Linear associations were found for positive relationship quality, and nonlinear associations were found for diagnostic length and relationship length. No significant associations emerged between interdependent personality traits and collaborative coping. Although PWD reported more frequent engagement in collaborative coping than partners, role only moderated the associations between diagnostic length and relationship length with collaborative coping. Findings contribute to an understanding of potential correlates of collaborative coping and may have implications for health promotion and interventions for older couples managing type 2 diabetes.