Comportements du couple âgé à domicile et stratégies d'intervention de l'infirmière centrées sur le système conjugal

Authors

  • Francine Ducharme

Abstract

Nursing interventional approach and behaviour of the aged couple living at home The purpose of this study was to explore the everyday situation of the aged couple living at home and coping with health problems, and thereafter to elaborate a nursing intervention wherein the couple is viewed as a system of interactions. To this end, an interview-questionnaire, based on Callista Roy's conceptual model, was submitted to 20 couples (40 subjects) between the ages of 70 and 80. The data so obtained permitted identification of certain "adaptive and maladaptive" behaviours of the couples on a bio-psycho-social level, and isolation of factors that may contribute to such behaviour. The results have clearly demonstrated the importance of an interactional approach for aged couples. It was found that a negative perception of the conjugal image, a marked individuality of spouses, and, above all, difficulties inherent to communication and to substitution of social roles within the couple are important aspects of married life of the aged following retirement and health problems. From these results, a guide to nursing intervention, primarily taking into account the relationship within the couple, together with the psychosocial dimensions and the physiological needs related to aging, were elaborated. The application of this guide, through one interview per week for five consecutive weeks, permitted confirmation of the merits of having based intervention on the existing relationship of the couple, and has clearly underlined the difficulties encountered by the spouse when communicating and when changing roles with the partner. This study has therefore facilitated the identification of certain variables within the framework of an experimental study.

Published

1984-04-13

Issue

Section

Articles