Patients and spouses coping with inflammatory arthritis: Impact of communication and spousal perceived social support and burden

•Perceived satisfaction with social support of both member of the couple (not just the patient) is associated with the patient's mental health.•Couple communication (experiencing an open and fluent exchange of ideas) is associated with the patient's mental health and self-efficacy.•Perceived spousal burden is associated with patient self-efficacy.•The spouse or spouse–patient relationship did not affect the patient's physical component summary score of the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 12 for quality of life.