The principal objective of this study, the first of its kind to use this population, is to describe the factor analysis and validity of the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (EAD) among 895 French Canadian seniors living as couples. A confirmatory factor analysis was carried out using structural equation modeling. Results support Spanier’s hierarchical model questionnaire (1976). Results also indicate evidence of validity and reliability satisfactorily set aside for the Affective Expression subscale having a lower Cronbach alpha coefficient. The results also indicate strong validity of the scale according to indices of convergent and discriminant validity. Finally, a discussion is presented addressing considerations to be taken into account for using the questionnaire among older couples.

The purpose of this study was to describe the elderly marital partners' perceptions of conjugal support and coping strategies and the relationship between these perceptions and their well-being. A multistage sample of 135 community-dwelling elderly couples, 65 years of age and over, was drawn from users and non-users of the health and social systems in a large metropolitan area. A series of questionnaires, presented within an interview format, were used to measure the variables. Each spouse was separately interviewed at home. Paired t-tests revealed that husbands tended to perceive more support from their spouse and to use less external social support than wives when coping with daily problems. Intraclass coefficients of correlation between husbands' and wives' coping strategies were only low to moderate. However, for both marital partners, results revealed significant positive correlations between availability and reciprocity of conjugal support and well-being and a negative association between conflict within the conjugal relationship and well-being. Only two cognitive coping strategies, namely reframing and active appraisal were positively related to the well-being of both spouses. Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that congruency of perception between husbands and wives had an effect only on wives' well-being. These findings suggest psychosocial interventions and are discussed in relation to previous studies and future research.

Cet article se consacre essentiellement aux couples mariés et aux individus âgés mariés résident dans des foyers pour personnes âgées et dans des centres d'accueil en Ontario. Les données ont été recueillies à partir de réponses d'administrateurs à des questionnaires envoyés par la poste (331 administrateurs d'établissement en 1988 et 395 en 1989). Les résultats montraient que 12 pour cent des lits, dans ces deux sortes d'établissements, sont occupés par des personnes mariées. En outre, il a également été démontré qu'il y a plus de couples âgés dans les foyers de personnes âgées que dans les centres d'accueil, qu'ils habitent ou non dans la même chambre. Enfin, les résultats ont laissé entendre qu'il y aurait, dans les centres d'accueil, davantage d'individus mariés vivant seuls (leur époux vivant ailleurs) que dans les foyers de personnes âgées. De nouvelles perspectives de recherche sont envisagées.