Dualistic Perspectives on Illness Coping Experiences of Individuals with Depression and Their Spouses: A Qualitative Study

Dyadic coping approaches are known to ease emotional distress in patients and families dealing with chronic illnesses. However, most coping research in depression has centered on individuals rather than couples. This study explored how people with depression and their spouses experience coping, applying a dyadic lens to inform the design of tailored couple-based interventions. We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with patients diagnosed with depression and their spouses. Data were a