Couples' Disease: The Experience of Living with a Partner with Chronic Depression

"I wish it wasn't all on me": women's experiences living with a partner with ADHD

PURPOSE

Grounded in the socio-ecological model of health, this study aims to understand the broader impact of adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the family system. With a notable gap in knowledge concerning the impact of adult ADHD on spouses' well-being, this research explores the lived experiences of women in relationships with partners diagnosed with ADHD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using a descriptive qualitative phenomenological approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with thirteen women without ADHD, to gain insights into their experiences.

RESULTS

Three main themes were identified- ADHD in Everyday Life, Burden Experience, and Women's Coping Strategies for managing ADHD within relationships. The findings suggest that partners' ADHD symptoms involve a burden on women. In response, women developed coping strategies such as learning about ADHD, setting limits, and cultivating partnership by creating bridges to compensate for ADHD-related barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the substantial burden experienced by women in a relationship with partners diagnosed with ADHD, suggesting they should be recognized as caregivers and a potentially vulnerable group at risk. However, the homogeneous nature of our sample, focusing on white, heterosexual women, underlines the need for further research to better understand the impact of adult ADHD on diverse partners' functioning and health, as well as pathways to support them.

Individual Nurse-Led Active Listening Intervention for Spouses of Individuals With Depression: A Pre-/Posttest Pilot Study

The current pre-/posttest pilot study investigated the impact of an individual nurse-led active listening intervention for spouses of individuals with depression (herein referred to as patients) on spouses' psychological states and patients' depressive symptoms. Sixteen couples participated in the study. Individual sessions were conducted over 10 weeks to help spouses express their thoughts and feelings. Psychological measurement scale scores did not change markedly postintervention for spouses; however, their subjective evaluations of the intervention were positive. In the qualitative analysis, spouses stated that they were able to express their thoughts and feelings and that the sessions were meaningful. Moreover, postintervention depressive scores of patients improved significantly. Findings suggest that the nurse-led intervention of active listening for spouses may provide a better environment for improving the depressive symptoms of patients. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 61(12), 19-25.].