This quantitative, longitudinal study was designed to examine factors that influence the marital relationship among women with diabetes and their male partners. The study describes the relationship of partner support to marital quality and the marital quality dimensions of affection, cohesion, consensus and satisfaction. Roy’s adaptation model and the interdependence mode was the framework for this study.  

            The study sample (N = 67 couples) was predominately African American (45 %) and Caucasian (43%). A Personal Information Form was completed by all the participants. Spanier’s (1976) Dyadic Adjustment Instrument measured marital quality and Tilden, Nelson & May’s (1990) Interpersonal Relationships Inventory measured the domains of partner support, reciprocity and conflict among the couples.

             The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficients, and Paired t-tests. Partner support had a significant positive relationship to marital quality (women, r = .84, p<.01: men, r =.89, p<.01). Reciprocity had a significant positive relationship to marital quality (women, r = .77, p=.01; men r = .73, p = .01). Conflict had a significant inverse relationship to marital quality among the women with diabetes (r = -.71, p = .01) and their partners (r = -.70, p = .01).  Paired t-test scores found no statistical difference among the women and men in respect to satisfaction (t = -1.04) and cohesion (t = -.82) scores; however consensus (t = -2.00) and affection (t = -2.50) scores were statistically different.  

            This study has the potential to influence clinical practice, and educate all health care professionals to the importance of asking about partner support when couples live with diabetes. In summary, this study suggests that African American and Caucasian couples living with diabetes can have satisfactory marital quality, and that partner support and reciprocity in the marriage are highly correlated to marital quality.