Impact Of Marriage On Physical Activity Behavior In Women With Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

PURPOSE: Support is critical for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) to adopt and continue physical activity (PA). The role that spouses play in the adoption and continuation of PA in women with MS has yet to be explored. METHODS: Four women with MS volunteered for in-depth interviews lasting approximately an hour. The interviews were semi-structured and covered topics such as: marriage context, PA choices and behaviors, PA activities alone and with spouse, etc. Interviews were transcribed (with identifiers removed) and analyzed in case studies, then cross-cases for overlapping themes. RESULTS: Four cases were developed. Theresa is an older woman with MS for which PA is encouraged by her spouse, and some PA is engaged in together, such as walking pets. She states, “It’s not walking like we used to walk, but we are out there together.” Margaret is an older woman with MS for which PA is engaged in completely alone. Intentional PA is performed alone because of her spouse’s lack of motivation. She states, “I always feel like he could use it as much as I could, but there’s no motivation and he has to motivate himself.” Claire is a young woman with MS who engages in PA outdoors with her spouse but feels her choices in PA done together can be dependent on her spouse’s desires over her own. She states, “Maybe sometimes if he’s not with me, I would um⋯ push myself harder I think.” Joanna is a mid-life woman with MS who engages in PA outdoors with her spouse and children, as well as indoors with a personal trainer focused on mobility. She feels that her spouse provides support in both types of PA. She states, “Oh, he so strongly encourages it! He, he is honestly my #1 fan if, if there is something new that I did at the gym that day, he wants to see it, he wants to do it... knowing he has my back and is in my corner lets me know that you know it will be a struggle but it is, it is worth it.” All four women discussed the importance of support in PA, despite differences in spousal engagement in PA. CONCLUSIONS: This study points to the importance of support and perception of support by marriage partners for women with MS. Future physical activity programs for women with MS should consider the role marriage partners play in decisions to be physically active. Effectiveness of PA interventions might be enhanced by increasing the involvement of marriage partners.