Using conjoint interviews with couples that have been living with disabilities and illnesses for a long time – implications and insights

Abstract

This article discusses conjoint interviews and takes its starting point from a study with nine older couples who have been living with disabilities for a long period of time. Conjoint interviewing where dyads are interviewed together produces a different kind of data from individual interviews – specifically data that conduce different ways of talking about “we-ness” and produce interaction between the participants. This article discusses how this appeared in a study that was interested in the understandings and actualizations of spousal care when both have a disability or illness. The method leads to an analysis centered on mutuality and has potential to problematize traditional caring tasks and caring roles in the context of living with disability or chronic illness. Potentials and limitations of the method are discussed.