THE IMPACT OF MARITAL RELATIONSHIP ON THE REHABILITATION PROCESS IN AGROUP OF WOMEN WITH LONG-TERM MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

This qualitative study investigated problems in the rehabilitation of women with long-term, musculoskeletal pain disorders. Data were collec ted by repeated semi-structured interviews and doctor-patient encounte rs during two years, and analysed in a gender perspective. The ''marri age contract'', i.e. the pattern of division of duties and power struc ture within the marital relationship, was of obvious importance to the implementation of rehabilitation measures. We explored situations whe re the rehabilitation measures disagreed with the terms and patterns i n the ''marriage contract''. The participants' ways of coping with the contract in these delicate situations could be described as three typ e strategies; accepting the terms, negotiating for new terms, and brea king the contract. The crucial impact of the ''marriage contract'' and the type strategies on the rehabilitation process are exemplified.