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The Role of Cohabitating Partner and Relationship Characteristics on Physical Activity among Individuals with Osteoarthritis

International Journal of Behavioral Medicine volume 26, pages 522–530 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Most individuals with knee or hip osteoarthritis do not meet recommendations for physical activity. The Social Cognitive Theory suggests that the social environment (e.g., spouses/partners) may influence the physical activity of individuals with osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the physical activity of insufficiently active, coupled adults with osteoarthritis was associated with received partner support for physical activity, partner’s engagement in physical activity, and relationship satisfaction.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from 169 couples were collected. Accelerometers estimated moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and daily steps for participants with osteoarthritis and their partners. Participants with osteoarthritis reported total received partner support for physical activity and relationship satisfaction.

Results

Participants with osteoarthritis were on average 65 years old, 65% female, 86% non-Hispanic white, and 47% retired. Receiving total partner support more frequently was associated with more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity but not with steps. Relationship satisfaction moderated the association of partner’s physical activity on the daily steps of individuals with osteoarthritis such that having a partner who accomplished more daily steps was associated with participants with osteoarthritis accomplishing more daily steps themselves when they reported greater relationship satisfaction.

Conclusions

Partners and relationship satisfaction may play an important role in the physical activity of individuals with osteoarthritis. Interventions seeking to increase physical activity in this population may be enhanced by promoting partner support. Additional research is needed to further explain these associations within the context of relationship satisfaction.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases under award P60AR062760 and the National Institute of Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health under Award T32NR007091. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chapel Hill, School of Nursing, UNC, Carrington Hall, S Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Sandra H. Soto

  2. Thurston Arthritis Research Center, 3300 Thurston Bldg., CB# 7280, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Sandra H. Soto, Leigh F. Callahan, Stephanie Bahorski & Mary Altpeter

  3. Department of Medicine, UNC, 125 MacNider Hall, Campus Box #7005, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Leigh F. Callahan

  4. Gillings School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition, UNC, 170 Rosenau Hall, CB#7400, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA

    Derek P. Hales

  5. Division of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, 2301 Erwin Road, DUMC 3096, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Ashley Phillips

  6. College of Nursing, Michigan State University, 1355 Bogue St, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA

    Dana Carthron

  7. John Theurer Cancer Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, 30 Prospect Ave, Hackensack, NJ, 07601, USA

    Christine Rini

  8. Georgetown University School of Medicine, 3900 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC, 20007, USA

    Christine Rini

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  1. Sandra H. Soto
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Correspondence to Sandra H. Soto.

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Soto, S.H., Callahan, L.F., Bahorski, S. et al. The Role of Cohabitating Partner and Relationship Characteristics on Physical Activity among Individuals with Osteoarthritis. Int.J. Behav. Med. 26, 522–530 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-019-09806-2

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