Relationship Strain Parkinson's Disease! Gender-Specific Distress of Partners of Patients with Parkinson's Disease

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A Parkinson's disease is attended by high strain for the patients and an obvious loss of relationship functioning. Partners of patients (N=110) were evaluated via self-assessment in terms of own depression (PHQ-9), own fear of progression (PA-F-P-KF), relationship quality (PFB) as well as perceived deficits in everyday life and nonverbal communication. 26% of women and 11% of men showed depression scores, 51% of women and 41% of men dysfunctional fear of progression and about 60% were unsatisfied with their relationship. Gender-specific differences regarding the severity of the symptoms and their distress occurred. The severity of symptoms was estimated highest by spouses of male patients with Parkinson's disease, whereas female spouses showed higher psychological distress than male spouses. Moreover, restrictions of everyday life were associated with depression (r=0.40, p<0.05), fear of progression (r=0.40, p<0.05) und relationship quality (r=-0.52, p<0.05) as well as deficits in nonverbal communication with depression (r=0.37, p<0.05), fear of progression (r=0.27, p<0.05) und relationship quality (r=-0.49, p<0.05). Regression analysis to predict relationship quality explained 46% of the variance. As significant predictors emerged cognitive deficits in everyday life, lacking eye contact, physical mobility and pain. Due to the high association of relationship quality and restrictions through the Parkinson's disease, interventions with couples were discussed.