Actor–Partner Effects on Dyadic Adjustment, Relationship Satisfaction, and Well-Being after Spinal Cord Injury
Siqi Xiang, Masaru Teramoto, Alexandra L. TerrillImportance
Spinal cord injury (SCI) extends beyond the injured individual to intimate partners, often altering shared occupations, relational roles, and well-being. Understanding dyadic processes is critical for occupational therapy practice.
Objective
To examine associations among dyadic adjustment, relationship satisfaction, and well-being in SCI dyads using an actor–partner interdependence model.
Design
Cross-sectional dyadic study using baseline data from an intervention trial (SupportGroove).
Setting
Health care institutions and community-based settings.
Participants
Eighty-two community-dwelling SCI–partner dyads (164 adults; mean ages: SCI, 50.1 ± 15.7; partners, 48.5 ± 14.5 years), 3 months to 5 years postinjury.
Outcomes and Measures
Self-report; Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, Couples Satisfaction Index-4, and Neuro-QoL Positive Affect and Well-Being.
Results
Dyadic adjustment was significantly and positively associated with relationship satisfaction among SCI participants (
Conclusions and Relevance
Dyadic adjustment influences how both members of the SCI dyad perceive their relationship. However, relationship satisfaction contributes to well-being primarily for partners rather than for individuals with SCI. These findings support a dyadic approach to occupational therapy and rehabilitation that considers relationship functioning and well-being in both members of the dyad.