In order to treat chronic illness effectively, practitioners must consider the health needs of both the ill spouse and the well spouse.  In order to assess the couple's needs, practitioners can interview the couple separately and together. 
 In addition, counseling for both partners is a helpful method of mitigating the effects of chronic illness on the marriage.

Implications for practitioners treating chronic illness in couples

Certain shifts in the marital relationship must be made in the face of chronic illness in order for it to survive.  Some coping strategies are unhealthy, and partners must adapt their coping strategies to be more congruent with each other in order to preserve the marriage.  Otherwise, the coping strategies of one partner might inhibit those of the other partner.

Grand Valley State University

A style of coping that involves performing an action to mitigate the problem at hand.

Problem-focused coping

A style of coping that involves the management of emotional distress. These coping styles tend to be unhealthy, but there are some examples, like turning to religion, that are healthy in situations in which one has no control.

Emotion-focused coping

Cannon, C. A., & Cavanaugh, J. C. (1998). Chronic illness in the context of marriage: A systems perspective of stress and coping in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Families, Systems, & Health, 16(4), 401-418. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0089865

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