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Understanding health behavior change among couples: an interdependence and communal coping approach.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lewis, MA; McBride, CM; Pollak, KI; Puleo, E; Butterfield, RM; Emmons, KM
Published in: Soc Sci Med
March 2006

Marriage is a ubiquitous social status that consistently is linked to health. Despite this, there has been very little theory development or related research on the extent to which couple members are jointly motivated to and actively engage in health-enhancing behaviors. In this paper we propose an integrative model, based on interdependence theory and communal coping perspectives, that explicitly considers dyadic processes as determinants of couple behavior. Our integrated model applies these constructs to consider how couple dynamics might influence adoption of risk-reducing health habits. Accordingly, we suggest that the couple's interdependence can transform motivation from doing what is in the best interest of the self (person-centered), to doing even selfless actions that are best for the continuation of the relationship (relationship-centered). In turn, this transformation can lead to enhanced motivation for the couple to cope communally or act cooperatively in adopting health-enhancing behavior change. Implications for research related to couples and health behavior change are also highlighted.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Soc Sci Med

DOI

ISSN

0277-9536

Publication Date

March 2006

Volume

62

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1369 / 1380

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Spouses
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Public Health
  • Motivation
  • Models, Psychological
  • Marriage
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Gender Identity
 

Citation

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Lewis, M. A., McBride, C. M., Pollak, K. I., Puleo, E., Butterfield, R. M., & Emmons, K. M. (2006). Understanding health behavior change among couples: an interdependence and communal coping approach. Soc Sci Med, 62(6), 1369–1380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.08.006
Lewis, Megan A., Colleen M. McBride, Kathryn I. Pollak, Elaine Puleo, Rita M. Butterfield, and Karen M. Emmons. “Understanding health behavior change among couples: an interdependence and communal coping approach.Soc Sci Med 62, no. 6 (March 2006): 1369–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.08.006.
Lewis MA, McBride CM, Pollak KI, Puleo E, Butterfield RM, Emmons KM. Understanding health behavior change among couples: an interdependence and communal coping approach. Soc Sci Med. 2006 Mar;62(6):1369–80.
Lewis, Megan A., et al. “Understanding health behavior change among couples: an interdependence and communal coping approach.Soc Sci Med, vol. 62, no. 6, Mar. 2006, pp. 1369–80. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.08.006.
Lewis MA, McBride CM, Pollak KI, Puleo E, Butterfield RM, Emmons KM. Understanding health behavior change among couples: an interdependence and communal coping approach. Soc Sci Med. 2006 Mar;62(6):1369–1380.
Journal cover image

Published In

Soc Sci Med

DOI

ISSN

0277-9536

Publication Date

March 2006

Volume

62

Issue

6

Start / End Page

1369 / 1380

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Spouses
  • Risk Reduction Behavior
  • Public Health
  • Motivation
  • Models, Psychological
  • Marriage
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Behavior
  • Gender Identity