Re-thinking dyadic coping in the context of chronic illness

• The importance of viewing chronic illness in the context of dyadic relationships is discussed.
• Models with implicit interventions to improve couples’ coping with chronic illness are reviewed.
• A new model is presented that includes cognitive processes occurring before appraisal begins.
• We recommend that couple-based interventions occur soon after diagnosis.
• The interplay between individual and dyadic coping processes is a fruitful area for new research.

In the past two decades scholars have increasingly recognized the importance of viewing chronic illness in a relationship context. However, questions remain regarding how couples make sense of illness, how they negotiate and coordinate coping, and the extent to which viewing the illness as a shared problem is beneficial for individual and relationship outcomes. This article seeks to clarify the role that couple relationships play in chronic illness adaptation by first describing major theoretical frameworks that have guided research in this area. Next, we propose a new model that emphasizes cognitive processes occurring before appraisal begins and throughout the coping process. We conclude by positing future research directions and implications for couple-based psychosocial interventions.