Spousal support in a behavior change intervention for cholesterol management
Nina R Sperber1, Margarete Sandelowski, Corrine I Voils
1Health Services Research and Development Service, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA. nina.sperber@duke.edu
Patient Education and Counseling
|April 2, 2013
Summary
Spousal involvement in high cholesterol interventions is accepted, but varied. Greater spousal support may improve patient outcomes, with potential benefits from focusing on spouse health for less involved partners.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Behavioral Science
- Health Coaching
Background:
- High cholesterol management requires sustained patient engagement.
- Spousal support can significantly influence patient adherence to health goals.
- Nurse-led interventions offer a platform for integrating family support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate spousal involvement in a nurse-led high cholesterol intervention.
- To explore patient and spouse perspectives on their roles in health goal setting and support.
- To identify factors influencing the level of spousal engagement.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews with 29 patients and 26 spouses post-intervention.
- Interviews stratified by patient low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) change.
- Content analysis of coded interview data organized into thematic matrices.
Main Results:
- No drawbacks to spousal involvement were reported; some patients desired more focus on spouse health.
- Spouses found nurse expertise helpful and improved communication with patients.
- Couples with better or same LDL-C outcomes focused on unit functioning; those with worse outcomes focused on individual functioning.
Conclusions:
- Spousal role in high cholesterol management is accepted but with varied involvement levels.
- Higher spousal involvement may correlate with improved patient outcomes.
- Tailoring support to focus on spouse health could enhance commitment and involvement.
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