A Study on the Stress of Spouse of Mentally Disabled and Marital Adjustment: Focused on the Mediation effect of Coherence Sense

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of coherence sense perceived by the spouse of mentally disabled with regards to the relationship between stress of the spouse and marital adjustment. A survey was conducted on the spouses of mentally disabled diagnosed with schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, registered under nation-wide mental health centers and social rehabilitation facilities. 109 responses from the survey were used for the analysis. The research findings can be summarized as the followings. 1. The mean score of stress, the sense of coherence, marital adjustment of mentally disabled’ spouse were almost average level. 2. The stress of mentally disabled’ spouse has a direct effect on marital adjustment. negatively. 3. The coherence sense of mentally disabled’ spouse was found to have a mediation effect on the relationship between spouse's stress and marital adjustment.