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Access Type
WSU Access
Date of Award
January 2024
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Mark Lumley
Abstract
The current study utilized an online survey to better understand individuals’ (n = 349) adjustment to their partner’s chronic pain. Research has supported attachment theory’s applicability to adult relationships, finding evidence that partners are a primary source of emotional and instrumental support and rely on one another to satisfy their attachment needs, especially during times of distress (i.e., chronic pain). Thus, it was predicted that one’s attachment would play a primary role in general relationship satisfaction (perceived relationship quality, sexual satisfaction, and sexual pain interference) among these dyads. Unique factors that contribute to relationship satisfaction within a chronic pain relationship such as caregiver burden, perceived social constraints on disclosure, and timing of partner’s pain onset were also considered using moderation models. Results of this study indicated that those with higher levels of anxious or avoidant attachment report lower levels of relationship satisfaction; however, the strength of these associations was dependent on perceived levels of caregiver burden and social constraints on disclosure. There was no significant interaction between insecure attachment and timing of partner’s pain onset on relationship quality.
Recommended Citation
Marshall, Liyah M., "Understanding Relationship Satisfaction When Your Partner Has Chronic Pain: Attachment And Potential Moderators" (2024). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4024.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4024
