Chronic Illness/Physical Illness

Research shows a connection between marriage and increased health benefits for both partners. However, sometimes spouses can still develop a chronic illness during a marriage or may even enter a marriage with a severe physical or chronic illness. In committed relationships the healthy partner often serves as caretaker. Although the duties of caretaker can bring a sense of purpose or meaning to the healthy partner, these duties can also become a strain on the relationship. Spouses or partners who act as primary caretakers can become physically and emotionally exhausted, feel overwhelmed, or at times even unfulfilled. Yet, the social support of marriage can be crucial to the ill partner in coping with chronic illness. Chronic illness can also occur in children and cause strain on a marriage. For more information on chronic illness or how to cope with the challenges of chronic illness to a healthy relationship, please see one of the resources below.

Children with Chronic Conditions- A publication from the University of Michigan devoted to chronic conditions in children, the effects of these conditions on both the child and the family, and strategies for coping with chronic conditions. http://med.umich.edu/1libr/yourchild/chronic.htm

Chronic Disease Overview- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- Provides national statistics and information on chronic illness. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview.htm

HealingWell.Com- Community, Information, and Resources on diseases, disorders, and chronic illness- http://www.healingwell.com/

Healthfinder.gov- A guide to health information sponsored by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Search this site for resources on living and coping with a chronic illness. http://www.healthfinder.gov/

National Health Information Center- The National Health Information Center (NHIC) is a health information referral service. NHIC puts health professionals and consumers who have health questions in touch with those organizations that are best able to provide answers. NHIC was established in 1979 by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.health.gov/nhic/

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion- An office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services- Includes highlights, selected projects, and publications. http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/

The Centre for Health and Coping Studies- This Web site provides current information regarding research on health and coping, as well as a list of scholarly publications on chronic illness and coping. Many publications are available free for download. http://psyclab1.psych.ubc.ca/~adlab/content/PUBLICATIONS/8

The American Chronic Pain Association- The ACPA “facilitates peer support and education for individuals with chronic pain and their families so that these individuals may live more fully in spite of their pain.” This Web site also provides lists of publications and resources for caretakers and those suffering from chronic illnesses. http://www.theacpa.org

The Effects of Marriage on Health- This brief synthesizes recent research evidence concerning one of these potential benefits of marriage—the effects of marriage on health. Full paper