Coping strategies for conjugality of elderly partners with neuropsychiatric diagnosis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The satisfactory marital relationship is seen as an important support for social well-being, especially in the face of stressful situations. Neuropsychiatric diagnoses can be being, especially in the face of stressful situations. Neuropsychiatric diagnoses can be an important stressor, which can affect the marital relationships of the elderly. OBJECTIVES: This case study aimed to understand the coping strategies for conjugality used by two elderly spouses with a neuropsychiatric diagnosis. METHODS: Participants, a man and a woman, were married to participants in the “Movimente” Extension Project, developed at the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, in Uberaba, Minas Gerais. The elderly were invited and participated in a semi-structures interview, with questions about marriage before and after the diagnosis, their strategies for dealing with conjugality and the diagnosis of the partner. The interviews were carried out individually, in a place separate from their partner. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic content analysis and interpreted based on Health Psychology. RESULTS: Three categories were indentified: 1) Conjugality and changes brought about by the disease 2) Coping focused on emotion 3) Coping focused on the problem. The main coping strategies used by the elderly were commitment, admiration and religious belief. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The strategies proved to be important to maintain good conjugality, even though there was a change in focus from marriage to the role of caregiver, in the face of neuropsychiatric diagnosis.