MARIA JOÃO FIGUEIRAS (*)

VANDA ARAÚJO MACHADO (**)

NUNO CORREIA ALVES (***)

RESUMO

Este estudo investigou qual é a representação cognitiva das cefaleias em casais nos quais as mulheres apresentam um quadro de cefaleias crónicas e o impacto desta representação no ajustamento marital de ambos os membros do casal. Trinta e um casais completaram separadamente um questionário sobre percepção individual da doença, e ajustamento marital, em termos de consenso diádico e satisfação sexual. Os resultados indicam que: (1) existem diferenças significativas nas percepções individuais entre os dois membros do casal, (2) que as representações cognitivas das cefaleias de cada um dos cônjuges influenciam o ajustamento marital dos mesmos. Embora os resultados sejam de carácter exploratório, parecem ter implicações importantes para a forma como pacientes e cônjuges percepcionam a experiência e a vivência da doença, respectivamente. Além disso, este tipo de abordagem do estudo das cefaleias crónicas pode contribuir para o delineamento de estratégias de adaptação à doença e melhoria da qualidade de vida em termos da relação do casal.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the impact of common-sense models of chronic headaches in couples in which the woman suffers from the illness, in the marital adjustment for both, the patient and the spouse. Thirty one couples completed a self-administered questionnaire which included measures of (a) illness representations (IPQ-R), and (b) marital adjustment in terms of sexual satisfaction, and dyadic adjustment (DAS). The results indicated that there are significant differences in the illness perceptions between the patient and the spouse, as well as the influence of their perceptions on marital adjustment. These results are exploratory, however they may have implications for the way these couples live with and experience the illness. Also, this illness perceptions framework can be a valid contribution for planning interventions to improve adjustment to illness and better satisfaction with the marital relationship.

Key words: Common-sense models, illness perception, chronic headaches, marital adjustment.

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(*)Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde - Sul

(**)Psicóloga Clínica.

(***)Psicólogo Clínico.